The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-03-28

Tho Great Tragedy of ise5 Revived In
Rnlilmore, nd.

Tho Great Tragedy OF 1850 heViveu IL
Baltimore. nd.
BALTIMORE, Mn, March 27.-The death
ol Mrs. Mary A. Bronson, in the eighty
third year Of her age, who was buried this
evening by the Henry Watson Aid soci'
ETY., revives the story of the tragic death
Of President Lincoln, eighteen years ago
and the attempted assassination OF Secretary
Seward. Mrs. Bronson for many years, in.
Guiding 1865, kepta boarding house at Eu
taw and Fayette streets. sometimepreyiout
to the tragedy Of Good Friday, 1866, Payne
one Of the conspiratos, who was convicted
and executed, was boarderin the house ol
Mrs. Bronson, and went by the name oi
Ferguson. He was remarkable looking
man, tall, and somewhat ungainly in his
carriage. He was known by the boarders
as "Longfellow," on account Of bis height,
and his demeanor while in Baltimore was
snch as to gain the esteem of all who made
his acquaintance. A strong attachment
sprung up between Payne and Miss Mary
Bronson, a daughter OF his landlady, and
1t is said that they were engaged.to be mar
ried. 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 remarked, 1.-THE description OF
that man is very much like 'Longfellow.'
The sequel proved that 1t was in
deed ''Longfellow," and the detec.
tiyes had traced his autecedents,
including the fact that he had
lived at the boarding house OF Mrs. Bron.
son. This lady was summoned az a wit.
ness at the trial Of the conspirators, which
took place in Washington. She was de-
tained there several days, but her evidence
furnished no material for the prosecution,
Another daughter OF Mrs Bronson, Miss
Margaret Bronson, since married to MIR.
Barrett, and widowed, and at present
matron Of the Henry Watson Aid Society
was also witness in the case, and hei
evidence as reported at the time was as fol
lows: The witness first met Payne at Get
tysburg Immediately after the battle. The
witness was there as volunteer nurse
Payne was in the witness ward, where he
was very kind 10 the sick and wounded
The witness did not know whether
he was a nurse or soldier. lie
wore a slouch hat and had no coat
lie went by the name OF Powell and
Doctor. The witness did not know how
long he remained at the hospital. There
were both Confederate and Federal sick
and wounded there. The witness left the
tirst week in September, and met Payne
again at her home in Baltimore IN the tall
She had short conversation with him. de
remained but few hours. The witness
did not know where Payne went from her
house. The witness, resuming, said she
saw Payne the third time in January al
her mothers house, where he was dressed
In black. He stated that he was from
Fauouier county, Va. Payne was at the
house about six weeks, not receiving
any company. He was remarkably quiet
and was in the room a great deal. The
witness thinks he was depressed in spirits.
He seldom said anything, and while in the
house be gave himself to reading medical
books, The witness did not know II t.e
prisoner had great amount OF money. he
maid his board. Examined by Colonel
burnett, she said he was arrested and taken
10 the provost u!aisu" o'lSol oue ietu'I i
ed, having taxed the oath,us witness heard
He left the house some time in March. dc
was the only Southern refugee in the house
that the witness knew OF. He was absent
only one night in February. 1t was never
before known where Payne resided JUS
before the tragedy, and the news Of his en-
gagement was not brought out during the
famous trial.