Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-01-10

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the river TO the ferry, about half 4
mile away, and rec what he could
End. Accompanied Dy an orderly,
he rode 10 the ferry, where he met
fisherman by the name of Roll
Inns. The Lieutenant asked him
if q party of men, one of them
lame (for Booth had broken his
leg in jumping from the theater-
box to the stage) had crossed The
river within day or two? Rol-
Inns said there had, the day before,
ard on being shown the likeness
of Booth and Harold, he at once
recognized them. Lieutenant Ba-
ker Immediately sent the or,.eriy
to Colonel Conger, asking him TO
bring the escort to the ferry at
once. The ferry boat was crazy
affair, and the afternoon was con-
sumed in getting the men and
horses across the river. Rollins
pretended to be a Union man, ana
was willing TO go as guide, but
feared persecution from his neigh
bors unless put under arrest. This
was done. Rollins said that Booth
was accompanied by Captain
Jett, one of Mosby's command,
who frequently went to Bowling
Green. about eighteen miles dis
tant, 10 see his sweetheart. Her
parents kept hotel, and he
thought the whole party had gone
there Just about dusk the party
set out for Bowling Green. They
had not gone far before they dis
covered two men, mounted on
horses, at the fork of the Bowling
Green and Fredericksburg roads
who seemed 10 be watching the
movements of the party. Lieu
tenant Baker and Colonel Conger
gave chase, and the latter being
mounted on a swift horse, gained
80 rapidly on the pursued that
they turned their horses into the
timber and escaped. One of these
horsemen proved afterward to be
Harold, the place of pursuit being
only one and a half miles from
the Garrett place, where Booth
was then secreted. Bowling Green
was reached about midnight, when
the party dismounted and sur
rounded the hotel where Jett's
sweetheart was supposed to re-
side. She was there, and so was
Jet, but Booth and his accom-
plices were not to be found
When the building was sur
rounded and every avenue of es-
cape guarded, Lieutenant Baker
raped on the hall door with the
but of his pistol. The mother and
daughter soon appeared with a
a light, and informed them that
there was no one in the house ex-
cept her son and friend of his,
Captain Jet. Lieutenant Baker
and Colonel Conger requested to
be shown TO their room, where
they found them asleep. On be-
ing aroused, Jet said: "What do
you want with us?' Colonel
Conger said: "We know all about
you. You piloted Booth across
the river, and you know where he
is" Jett told them they were mis-
taken in their man, and denied
knowing anything about Booth.
The sight of two navy revofvers,
and the threat that he must tell or
die, convinced him that it was
foolhardy to longer delay infor-
nation, and he said: "Gentlemen.
upon my word and honor, will
tell you all about it if you will
promise to shield me from all
completely in the matter" The
promise was made. Then Jet
said: II fear you have frightened
Booth off, for you passed near the
plantation where / left him, which
is only few miles from the ferry
which you crossed. But / will
show you the Garrett place,
where L left him." Jetts horse
was a model animal, built for
endurance and speed. Lieuten-
ant Baker was fearful that Jet
might escape if he got any advan-
tage in start, and two of the men
were ordered to ride near MIN, and
if he attempted to escape to "shoot
him without halting" The whole
party then took the back track for
the Garrett plantation. The jaded
horses were urged 10 their best
speed, and at about three o'clock
next morning they arrived at a
gateway which Jet said led to the
Garrett residence. The night was
dark, but the entrance TO the lane
was visible. The house was about
twenty rods from the entrance.
Jet also said there was another
gate about half way to to the
house. The plan was to surround
the house as quickly as possible, so
as to prevent any possibility of es-
cape. Lieutenant Baker went to
the second gate, opened it, and
gave the signal for the charge.