Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-20
WILKES BOOTHS CRIME.
Story of the Great Tragedy as
Told by John I. Ferd.
Unpublished History Of the AssassI.
nn'iOn-BOOth Stimulated by the
Example OF Brutus-The In.
nocence Of Mrs. Surratt.

The announcement made of the
coming production of Shakspeare's
great Roman play of Julius C@ear
recalls the great tragedy in Wash
ington in 1865, when John Wilkes
Booth assumed a role somewhat
similar to that of "Brutus," in the
assassination of the President Of
the United States. The actors
great crime startled the world, and
although thirteen years have
elapsed the circumstances connect
ed with the thrilling tragedy are
still fresh in the public mind, and
the subject will never cease to ex-
cite painful interest. Brutus,"
it will be remembered, according to
Shakespeare, struck down "the mob.
lest man that ever lived in the tide
Of times" To those loyal then to
the government "Brutus" was but
can migrate and an assassin" but
Plutarch and Shakespeare made him
the most perfect model of "a mild,
contemplative and philosophical vet
heroic republican "-"the nobiest
Roman Of them all"
The striking similarity between
two Of the greatest tragedies that
history records prompted a repre-.
sentative of the Gazette to revive
the story of the Presidential assas-
sination, and endeavor to ascertain
the real motive of Booth in taking
Mr.. Lincoln's life. The impression
has generally prevailed that Mr..
John Il. Ford, who was manager Of
Ford's Theater at the time the
tragedy occurred, was familiar with
facts in connection with the matter
that had never appeared in print,
and he was approached by the
writer yesterday and asked if such
was the case. Mr.. Ford remarked
that he had frequently been re-
quested to give expression to his
views on the subject, but had de-
clined. A general conversation on
the subject, however, ensued, the
substance of which, with Mr..
FOrd's permission, we print. 1t
throws some new light on the great
tragedy and will doubtless be found
OF general interest. Mr.. Ford said,
John Wilkes Booth was trained
from earliest infancy to consider
the almost deifed assassin Brutus
just as Shakespeare immortalizod
him. His father was named HJu.
MUS Brutus;p his brother is now
the bearer Of that surname. The
great Booth frequently appeared in
the play Of Julius Caesar, and not
later than 1864 three of his sons
acted the three leading characters
of the play to an audience that ap-
plauded the sentiments of Brutus
to the echo. Now trace the assas-
sination of Lincoln. 0nthe morn.
ing Of April IA, 1865, Booth, who
had conspired for six months pre-.
vious to abduct President Lincoln
and convey him a prisoner to the
South, was the last guest at break
fast at the National Hotel in Wash
fington. The surrender at Apo
mattox had ended all chance for
him to carry out his original con-
spiracy. He left the hotel after II
o'clock that morning and walked
up Sixth street to II, and stopped
at the SurTatt House, where he met
the widow who kept it, returning
from the religious services of Good
Friday, and then in the act of go
ing to her former country place
(the vehicle to convey her already
at the door) to collect some money
due her, so as to pay what was due
by her to the Calvert estate.
Booth, when informed of her in
tended visit, requested her to get
some articles belonging to him that
ne had left at the country tavern;
and then bidding her adieu he
walked up II street to Tenth, aud
down Tenth to the theater. When
he reached there it was about or
probably a little later than twelve
o'clock midday. There he heard
for the first time that both Presi.
dent Lincoln and General Grant
were to visit the theater that night,
The private box was in process of
decoration. The White House
messenger had been there an hour
before to secure its use. | believe
and all reliable written or oral
testimony confirms that belief-that
then and there the terrible thought
of assassination first suggested it.
self. 1t came like this: off / failed
to serve the South in my conspiracy
to abduct, | can now bo her Bru.
tus."
This thought fastened on his
brain-led him TO go from the thea
ter toward the Kirkwood House to
have a conference with some of his
old conspirators. John Surat was