The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-03-02


met Immediately opposite the house, and
being questioned, said he was a paroled
prisoner. His gray jacket was instantly
torn from him and thrown into the park.
and he ordered on his way. In the agitated
condition of the crowd it is likely that, in a
moment of blind fury, which then prevailed
on all sides, had he not quickly obeyed
the Provost Marshal's orders he would have
been.
LYNcHED On THE SPOT.
This ex-Confederate soldier has never
turned up to tell his story, and among
great many doubt still exists whether
he had any connection with the man
Pavne, who attempted to kill Mr.. Seward
and his son William. Why he was there at
that particular time has never been ac-
counted for by the officials, out certain it is
he knew Of the fresh tragedy when he was
on the verge ofbeing assailed. Dispositions
for further safety having been made, the
Provost Marshal proceeded instantly to the
residence of Mr.. Stanton, Secretary of War,
and thence to where Mr.. Lincoln was lying.
whittier the former was reported to have
gone. Upon arrival there it was found that
the unlniured member of the Cabinet had
arrived at Mr.. Lincoln's bedside, and con
sultation was had and Cabinet session I'm
mediately resolved on, which was held in
back parlor adjoining Mr.. Lincoln was fast
nearing death. After the meeting Mr.. STAN
! ton, to whom the Provost Marshal reported
| for orders, directed the latter to proceed lm-
mediately to the Kirkwood House and escort
Mr.. Andrew johnson, Vice President elect,
to where the remaining Representatives of
the administration then were. Mr.. johnson
was found in his room in his shirt sleeves.
sitting with friend, Mr.. arwell, who had
long been on terms of intimacy with him.
The evening was warm and oppressive
Both seemed to be in meditative and silent
mood. On being ushered in by Mr.. Brown
ing, Private Secretary to the Vice Presi-
/ dent, the Provost Marshal announced the
wishes and request of the Secretary of War
that Mr.. johnson would proceed to the
| house on Tenth street, where the member of
the Cabinet were assembled.
Mr.. JOHNSON QUIETLY AssENTED,
and putting on his coat announced to the
/ Provost Marshal that he was ready TO ac-
company him. When on the street the lat
| ter asked whether it would not be advisable
to have guard accompany him as pre-
caution. In the excited condition of affairs
hidden danger was supposed by every one
TO be lurking in close proximity, one
knew not where. Such was the un-
hinged condition of everything among the
populace sense OF insecurity existed on all
sides No one could tell where q new cal
smity might be found. To the provost
guard Mr.. johnson objected. He was then
requested to ride in the buggy of the Provost
Marshal, as it would be more safe than NOV
ing through the crowd, where another as
sassin might be found who would plunge a
knife into the back of the Vice President
and easily kill him, thus carrying out APP
parently the plan of leaving the Govern
ment without its head. Again Mr.. john
son objected and said he would prefer to
walk. A whispered conversation was then
hel with him on the steps of the KirkwoOd
House, then on the site of the Shepherd
building, intimatIng the great danger pos
sible and urging provision for safety. MIR.
johnson was steadfast in declining to 20
otherwise than alone, but asked the Provost
Marshal if he had any weapons To this
he replied that he had Colts navy revolver
and reaching to his vest pocket proposed
to give it to Mr.. johnson. He said. No,
do not want it, but as you have that means
of protection it will do should anything
happen Then taking the arm of the Pro-
vest Marshal he proceeded coolly to
walk toward Tenth street by way of
Pennsylvania avenue. Both elbowed their
way through the crowd, with his protector,
and the remaining head Of the Government
was jostled about here and there among the
thrOng. The Provost Marshal says he had
great apprehensions lest Mr.. johnson should
be recognized and some Desperate attempt
his life while in his company. It was with
a great sense of relief that, having elbowed
his way through the dense crowd on Tenth
street above and below Ford's Theater, now
the Army Medical Museum, he safely
reached the house where Mr.. Lincoln was
dying, and conducted him to the room
where Secretary Stanton and the rest of the
Cabinet were and the doors were then
closed and the situation calmly discussed.
To provide for future contingencies, it was
resolved that as soon as possible after the
death of Mr. Lincoln, which was foregone
conclusion, Mr.. johnson should be
swoRN IN As PRESIDENT.
/ After looking at the still insensible form of
Mr.. Lincoln for few moments, and with
out an expression of any kind, which retic-
ence he had observed from the beginning.
Mr. johnson signi6ed his readiness TO re-
/ turn to his rooms with the Provost Marshal.
/ In going or coming but few words were
spoken. Once however. the Provost Mar
shall, who felt deeply the waning condition
of MIR. Lincoln, his good friend. ventured to
remark that he hoped now that all kindness
and forbearance had proved uDavailing a
policy of severe and sncompromising pun
/ ishnnent would be visited upon the bad men
who were leading in the attempt to destroy
the Nation. To this he replied: aWhen
you know moro of me you will think better
of me-" To this day the enigmatical words
have never been explained. Mr.. johnson
safely left at his Hotel. the Provost Marshal
resumed his post ut the side of Secretary
Stanton in the room where Mr.. Lincoln
was. Acting Assistant Surgeon g 5. Taft
and +. A King, who had helped DR.. Teal
TO carry Mr.. Lincoln out Of the Theater,
were joined by DIR. Robert X. Stone, Sur
geon General Barnes, and Assistant Surgeon
General G. II. Crane, who were endeavor-
ing To do all they could TO restore Mr.. Lin
coin to consciousness" After describing
the affecting scenes of Lincoln's bed cham
Der that long evening. the General ssys:
During the night Secretary Stanton, with
wonderful thoughtfulness, dictated from time
TO time a large number of messages to var
ious sections of the Union. He was remark
bly, calm throughout, methodical and re.
aective, betraying no evidence of emotion
except once or twice when ne breathing of
Mr.. Lincoln became less audible, and il was
supposed that the last moments of life had
come. AT these times ne turned