River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-02-12
ASSASSINATION RELICS.
A Description Of Some of the Articles
Congress VIII Order Sent to SPRING
washInoton Telegram, Jan. 3.

Mr.. Springer, of Illinois, providing for
! the transmission to the Lincoln Monu-
ment Association, at Springfield, of the
mem entoes and relics connected with
the assassination of Abraham Lincoln,
now held by the government, passed the
house on Friday, and will no doubt pass
the senate in few days. The articles
called for by the resolution are now in
the hands of Judge Advocate General
Drum, III the war departme nt, and upon
the passage os the resolution will be
shipped to Springfield.
A reporter of the Times called at the
war department to see what these me-
Mentoes were that would hereafter
grace the memorial hall at Springfield.
Locked up in large iron safe are some
of the more precious relics, while nu-
merous others are placed IN an old
wooden case, and are not on public ex-
hibition. In the safe are to be seen the
pistol which Booth used to shoot Lin
coin. 1t is a rusty, old-time looking
affair. 1t has but one barrel and re-
quires to be capped before firing. The
bullet which killed Lincoln is mashed
out of shape, and has nothing about it
10 indicate that it was the cause of the
presidents death. Wrapped up in the
same paper with the bullet are some
fragments of LincolI's skull, which
were removed by the physicians. There
is small package containing few
things which were taken from Booths
pockets after his capture. These con-
sisted of some letters, photographs, ETC.;
also a small horseshoe. which be prob
ably carried with him to bring good
luck, a small Catholic medal and few
other things. Then there is the knife
which Booth waved above his head
as he jumped from the box,
and shouted: sic semper tyrannis."
Among the articles indirectly con-
nected with the ASSASSINATION of Lin
coin and the trial of Mrs. Surratt, are
the following: A high leather boot,
which has hole cut IN it 70: the pur-
pose of removing it from Booths bro
ken leg; the pistol which Payne carried
to the house OF Secretary Stanton, which
he wore, and which was recognized by
several prominent citizens of Washing
ton; two knives found in Atzerodt's
room, in the old Kirkwood house; two
carbines carried by Booth and Herrold
during their flight, and long wooden
bar which Booth used to fasten the
door of the presidents box at the
theater.
One of the most inter esting relics CON
nected with the affair was received by
the war department about two months
ago, from a hotel in Meadville, Pa.
where Booth stopped for a few days. 1t
is q small mirror, in black frame. AT
the bottom is pasted the signature of j.
Wilkes Booth, cut from the hotel regis
ter. On the glass is an inscription
which seems to have been made by
diamond, and which reads: "Abe Lin
coin departed this life Aug. Is, 1864,
from the effects of poison" OF course
all opinion as to what 1t meant Is mere
conjecture, but the prevailing idea
seems to be that it was originally IN
tended to poison the president, and
that Booth wrote on the glass on that
day, thinking that the deed had been
accomplished.
There is an old red leather diary
which was found in Booths pocket, and
which has been preserved. There are
but two entries in it. They are made
with pencil, and are rapidly becoming
indistinct. The first entry in the diary
is dated Friday, April IA. Under this
date Booth says: Until to-day nothing
was ever thought of sacrificing to our
country's wrongs. For six months we
have worked to capture. Our cause
being almost lost; something decisive
must be done. / struck boldly, and
not as the papers say. l walked with
d firm step through thousand of his
friends-was stopped, but pushed on:
The colonel was at his side. shouted
sic sempre' before / fired. In jumping
| broke my leg. can never repent it.
| meant to kill. Our country owed all
its troubles to him, and God simply
made me the instrument of his punish
ment. Our country is not what it was.
This forced union is not what / have
loved | have no desire to outlive my
country. This night, before the deed, |
wrote long article and left it for one
of the editors of the NdtiOnd! InteLage1acer,
in which l freely set forth our reasons
for our proceedings. He or the SOUTH"
The second entry in the diary, under
date of April q, says: "After being
hunted like a dog through swamps and
woods, and being chased by conveys,
| was forced to return, wei. cold and starv-
ing, every mans hand against me. | am
here in despair. And why For doing what
Brutus was honored for-what made
Tell hero; and yet ], for striking down
a more cruel tyrant than they ever
knew, was looked upon as common
cut-throat. My act was purer than
either Of theirs. One hoped to be
great himself; the other had both MS
own and his country's wrongs to avenge.
| hoped for no gain. knew no private
wrong. / struck for my country, and
that alone-a country ground beneath
this tyrant. | now behold the cold hand
that is extended me. God can not par
don me if l have done wrong. L can
not see any wrong except in serving
degenerate people. The little | left be-
hind me to clear my name government
will not allow to be printed. 80 ends
all. For my country have given up
all that makes life sweet and holy,
brought misery upon my family, and
sure there is no pardon in heaven for
me when man condemns meso.
\ Tonight l will once more try
the river with the intention to cross. /
have great desire to see Washington,
and, in measure, clear my name,
which | feel that | can do | do not re-
pent the blow struck. may before
my God, but not to man. | think |
have done well, though am abandoned
with the curse of Cain. If the world
knew my heart, that blow would have
made me great, though / did not desire
greatness. Tonight try TO escape these
bloodhounds once more, but who can
read his fate2 Gods will be done. l
have too great a soul to die ike a GRIM
inal. On may He, may He spare me
that, and let me die bravely. never
hated or wronged anyone. This brave
boy with me often prays Eyes, before
and siuce) with true, sincere heart
Was it crime in him? If so, why can
he pray the same? | do not wish to
shed drop of blood, but yet must
fight the course. IT'S all that's left
me-"