The Osceola times., 1883-04-21
LINC0LN'S DEATH.
The Great Tragedy of 1865 Revived by the
Demise of Payne's Landiady.


The death of Mrs. Mary A. Bronson
in the SD year of her age, who was
buried from the Henry Wilson Aid So
ciety, rcvives the story Of the tragic
death of President Lincoln, eighteen
years ago, and the attempted assassina,
ton of Secretary Seward.
Ms. Bronson for many years includ-
ing 1865, kept boarding house at
Eutaw and Faycttc streets. Some time
previous 10 the tragedy of Good Friday,
1865, Payne, one Of the conspirators,
who was convicted AMI executed, was n
b,arder in the house OF Mrs. Bronson,
and went by the name of Ferguson.
He was q remarkable-looking man,
tall and somewhat ungainly in his car
riage. He was known by the boardens
as "Longfellow," on account of his height
and his demeanor while in Baltimore
was such as to gain the esteem of all
who made his Acquaintance. A strong
attachment sprung up between Payne
and Miss Mary Bronson, daughter
of his landlady, and it is said they were
engaged TO be married. Miss Bronson's
health failed shortly after the trial and
execution of Payne, and she died in this
city four or five years later. When the
news of the arrest of Payne was received
by Mrs. Bronson's family. one of them
rer,arked: "The description of that man
is very much like Longfellow'
The sequel proved that II was indeed
"Longfellow," and the detectives had
traced his anteccden,s, including the
fact that he had lived at the boarding
house of Mrs. Bronson.
This lady was summoned as a witness
at the trial of the conspirators which
took place in Washington. She was de-
tained there several days, but her evil
dence furnished no material for the
prosecution. Another daughter of Mrs
Bronson, Miss Margaret Bronson, since
married to Mr.. Barrett, and widowed,
and at present matron Of the Henry
Watson Aid Society, was also a witness
in the case, and her evidence as report
cd at the time was as follows:
The witness first met Payne ut Gcttys-
burg, Immediately after the battle. The
witness was there as a volunteer nurse.
Payne was in the witness ward where
he was very kind to the sick and wound
ed. The witness did not know whether
he was a nurse or soldier. He wore a
slouch hat and had no coat. He wentby
the name of Powell and Doctor. The
witness did not know how long he re-
maincd at the hospital. There were
both Confederate and Federal sick and
wounded there. The witness left the
first week in September, and met Payne
GALL. She had short conversation with
him. He remained but few hours.
The witness did not know where Payne
went from her house. The witness, re-
Stunning, said she saw Payne the third
time in January at her mothers house,
when he was dressed in black. He stat
ed that he was from Fauquier county, Va.
Payne was at the house about six weeks,
not receiving any company. He was re-
markably quiet, and was in the room
great deal. The witness thinks he was
depressed in spirits. He seldom said
and while in the house he
gave himself to reading medical books.
The witness did not know If the prisoner
had a great amount of money. He paid
his board.
Examined by Col Burnett, she said he
was arrested and taken to the Provost
Marshals Office, but returned, having
taken the oath as witness heard. He
was the only Southern refugee in the
house that the witness knew Of He was
absent only one night in February. II
was never before known where Payne
resided Just before the tragedy, and the
news of his engagement WAS not brought
out during the famous trial.