The Princeton union., 1881-03-10

Through the hurrying and agi-
tated crowds of people now in the
streets, when Mr.. Lincoln was found
to be as well cared for as possible, the
provost marshal drove rapidly to the
houses Of Messrs. Seward and Stanton.
the secretaries of state and war. who
were reported also to have been
assassinated. AT the first place an
excited and angry crowd Of loyal
citizens were found, and the informa-
ton obtained that Mr., Seward was
then Though just recovering from in
Jur1es received in a carriage accident)
bleeding and almost lifeless from the
blows of an assassin's knife. His
son, too, in the attempt to save the
father, had been struck down, and
both were lying insensible in an upper
bed chamber. A man wearing a con-
federate uniform was met Immediately
opposite the house, and, being ques-
toned, 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-confed-
crate soldier has never turned up to
tell his story, and among a great
many doubt still exists whether he
had any connection with the man
Payne, who attempted to kill Mr..
Seward and his son William. Why
he was there at that particular time
has never been accounted for in the
minds of the officials, but certain it is
he knew of the fresh tragedy when
he was on the verge of being assailed.
Dispositions for further safety having
been made, the provost marshal went
instantly to the residence of Mr.. Stan
ton, 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 unlnjured members of the cabinet
had arrived at Mr.. Lincoln's bedside,
and consultation was had and a cabi-
net session Immediately resolved on,
which was held in a back parlor ad join
ing. 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 Immediately to the Kirk
wood house and escort Mr.. Andrew
johnson, vice president elect, to where
the remaining representatives of the
administration then were. Mr.. John
son was found in his room in his shirt
sleeves, sitting with friend, Mr.. Far
well, 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.. Browning, private secretary to
the vice president, 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 members of the
cabinet were assembled. Mr.. John
son quietly assented, and putting on
his coat announced to the provost
marshal that he was ready to accom-
pany him. When on the street the
latter asked whether it would
not be advisable to have
guard accompany him as precaution.
In the excited condition of affairs a
hidden danger was supposed by every
one to be lurking in close proximity,
one knew not where. Such was the
unhinged condition of every thing
among the populace sense of insecur.
lty existed on all sides. No one could
tell where new calamity might be
found. To the provost gaurd Mr..
johnson objected. He was then
requested to ride in the buggy of the
provost marshal, as it would be more
safe than moving through the crowd.
where another assassin might be found
who would plunge knife into the
back OF the vice president and easily
Kill him, thus carrying out apparently
the plan of leaving the government
without it's head. Again Mr.. Johnson
objected and said he would prefer
to walk. A whispered conversation
was then held with him on the steps
OF the Kirkwood house, intimating
the great danger possible and urging
provision for safety. Mr.. johnson
was steadfast in declining to go other
wise than alone, but asked the provost
marshal ifhe had any weapons. TO
this he replied that he had a Colts
navy revolver, and reaching to his
breast pocket proposed to give it to
Mr.. Johnson. He said s:No, do not
want it, but as you have that means
of protection it will do should any
thing happen Then taking the
arm Of the provost marshal he pro
ceeded coolly to walk toward Tenth
street by way of Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. Both Imen elbowed their way
through the crowd, with his protector.
and the remaining head of the gov
ernment was jostled about here and
there among the throng. The provost
marshal says he had a great appre-
hension lest Mr.. Johnson should be
recognized and some desperate at
temp his life while in his company.
1t was with a great sense of relief
that, having elbowed his way through
the dense crowd on tenth street above
and below Ford's theatre, he safely
reached the house whene Mr.. Lincoln
was dying, and conducted him to the
room where Secretary Stanton and
the rest of the cabinet were. and the