The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1883-11-13
A BOLD REBEL PLOT.
Walker Taylor's Scheme for the Alb
duction of President
Lincoln

Mr.. William Preston Johnston, who served
on Jefferson Davis staff, and Is q son Of the
late Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, ina recent
Interview with ''Gath,n remarked: 81 was
present at a breakfast at President Davis
mansion when a proposition was made to him
to abduct Abraham Lincoln out OF Washing
ton City and bring him a prisoner to Rich
mond.n
who was the manf' said l.
at wa Walker Taylor, a nephew Of old
President Zachary Taylor. At the beginning
Of the war / went into the First Kentucky
regiment, commanded by Tom Taylor, who
is now the chief of police in Louisville. 1
never knew a Taylor who was not personally
brave. Walker Taylor was one of the
bravest of the brave. At Fort Donelson he
was captured and taken to Louisville. He
was badly Wounded at the time. 1t was in
the month OF February, / think, while he
was standing in the line of prisoners, a friend
close at hand slipped an overcoat upon him
and he stepped out of the lines into the crowd
and could not be found. Wounded as he was,
be was concealed from house to house, and
searched for, and after he got better he re-
solved to go to the south again. So he came
east to Washington City and went south
probably by the same route that Booth after
ward took, across the lower Potomac.
"Tbe Kentuckians were not like the Mis-
sourians in the war, and always protected
each other, though on different sides. Those
Taylors had two brothers on one side and
two on the other. Walker Taylor had
members Of his family in high government
positions-some in the navy, some in the
army, some in the civil service. They were
astonished to see him around there unparoled,
going at large. Still they did not give him
up; they entreated him either to take the
oath or leave. Among other places he went
to the White House to call on Abraham Lin
coin. He got some body to introduce him.
Mr.. Lincoln treated him with courtesy, and,
seeing that he limped, said to him: 4 see
that you nave been wounded, my friend.
Where did you get your woundi' AT Fort
Donelson, Mr.. president said Taylor. The
president paid him a compliment, little sup
posing that at his wrist was ono OF the most
deadly men in the world.
"When Taylor left Washington and came to
Richmond he came to see me, knowing that /
was President Davis aide dc camp, and he
said: Johnston, l can capture Abe Lincoln
and bring him to Richmond, and all l want
Is the permission OF President Davis TO do 1t.
Can't you get me an interview with Davisf
Said l, YES and | arranged with the presi
dent that he should come to breakfast the
next day. At the breakfast table, or after
49, n '@a1 ~ ~ M
Taylor has an important proposition to make
to you, Mr.. Davis Well, Walker said
Davis affably. what is itP Mr.. Davis, /
want 10 bring Abe Lincoln a prisoner to you
in this city, oh, pshawr said Davis, how
can such a thing as that be doner Just as
easy said Taylor, as walking out Of this
town. 1 came across tho Potomac at no
great distance from Washington City, and
while / was in Washington l watched Lin
coins habits closely. and knew his outgoing
and incoming. l tell you, sir, that | can
bring him across that river just as easily as |
can walk over your doorstep How would
you do itf said Mr.. Davis.
Lincoln replied Walker Taylor, does
not leave the White House till evening, or
near twilight, and then, with only a driver,
he takes a lonely ride into the country, to a
place called the Soldiers home, which is his
summer residence. My point is to collect
several Of these kentuckians whom | see
about here doing nothing, and who are brave
enough for such a thing as that, and we will
throttle or kill the driver and gag Lincoln,
run him down to the Potomac, and cross him
over just where l crossed, and next day we
will have him here, Mr.. Davis Davis shook
his head Said he: Il cannot give my
authority, Walker. In the first place, l sup,
pose that Lincoln is a man of some courage.
III HiS Deen III lnulbn war, ana Is a WESTERN
man. He would undoubtedly rcsis,
being captured. In that case you would kill
him. could not stand the imputation OF
having consented to let Mr.. Lincoln be assas,
sinated Our cause could not stand it. Be.
sides, what value would he be to us as a
prisonerl The moment he was removed a
far worse man, Andrew johnson, would take
his place, n man highly incensed against us
all. Lincoln is not the government of the
Federal power. He is merely the political in
trument there. II he were brought to Rich
mond, what could | do with hint He would
have to be treated like the magistrate of the
north, and we have neither the time nor the
provision. No, sir, / will not give my author.
ity to abduct Lincoln"
"Do you think That Walker could havs
been successful, Col. Johnstonf'
Eyes. Booth chose a theatre to kill the
president in, and got across the river without
much trouble. Taylor was one Of the best
men in the world for an adventure like that. >