New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-15
/ FRUSTRATED PLOT To MURDER LINCOLN
BOOTHS FIRST ATTEMPT-JoHN w. wEsrFALL AND
HIS SUBSEQUENT HISTORY.
hanson J. Tossing IN the Independen

was mt the National capital at the second
Inauguration of President Lincoln on the Atm OF March
ming about rash attempt, by handsome young man, 70
break through line OF & 10 ee r te Pe g en9
and attendants through the eastern door TO the pat
barely alluded to in the local journals the next morning
as a ripple on the surface of current events. 80
month later. President Lincoln and his wife, with
Miss Harris and Major Rathbone were seated in box
at FOrds Theatre in Washington, listening TO the play OF
SOnr American Cousin" A young man. in the passage
way near the box put card into the hand of Mr. Lin
coins messenger, and entered the vcstbule OF the
Presidents box fastening the door securely behind hlm
with weapon iii hand and two-edged dagger IN
the other he stole noseessy behind the President ana
nut "a bullet through his b.Tn.
The events of that night yiydly recalled to the mem
orv of mauy persons the mad attempt of the young man
to break through the line Of policemen at the rotunda
weeks before for there was an impression lneh Int
he had mschievOus, perhaps murderous intent. de
and assassin were dentihed as the same person
Little was SAID about it at the me in the public Jour
nails and histories Of the civil War are silent Oh te SUD-
ject. . -. ,.,,. .. ~ ..o .,, 20
Gently by some authentic documents which placed
In my hands, and which give interesting details OF the
eyewtnesses OF it. These documents have lain In
eealment many years They present materials anu
tory OF the Civil War here give II IN 6Ief outline
Southern newspapers having declared that President
Lincoln would never be naugurated second time. and
such being utcfances III the Southern COaeder-
sneal precautions were observed that Inaugural
ton for the protection OF the person OF the President and
To pre- vent confusion during the ceremonies These pre-
sSiracv to abduct or rlurder Mr. Lincoln had been
formed OF which his assassin to have been the
leader Major B. B. French, then Commissioner Of
Public Buildings at Washington, had this matter In
charge at the Capitol He stationed double row Of
policemen in the rOtund9, to which large number OF
persons were admitted ~ tickets 10 see the procession or
The President and his attendants Judges OF the supreme
Court the Cabinet Ministers, representatives OF other
nations Congressman and others-fr0m the Senate
Chamber in the north wing Of the Capitol through the
rotunda to the eastern porlco OF me main DuAdihg
where the Inauguration was 10 take place
The police were arranged from the northern to the
doc Of the Otund TO keep open the passage TOT
the procession. and TO prevent any or the spectators
forcing it, Major French, who was III command OF the
police force, took position at the eastern door WINE
the procession moving, and when he Presldeht ana
the judges had passed through the door young man
suddenly rushed from the crowd OF spectators and broke
through the southern line OF police men he was IN
santy seized St de If p Who SW as pryae in
the Capitol police force The intruder wlld win ek.
to go to the inaugural platform lie was very stOhg
and after dragging Wesfal from his place IN the ranks
he 6roHe co.d ni e eaIarS door The
halted assistance rendered TO Wesall, and the IN
truder considered unatic was forciby thrust
from the The procession then moved On with
out further interruption.
deeply impressed on the memory OF Mr. Nestiall and
others OF the police force Westla also impressed
the President the inaugural platform. When Mr.:
Lincoln actually murdered, few weeks later and
while the OF the law in pursuit OF the
sassns this faithful guardian OF the public peace sought
for photograph Of the alleged criminal lie found u al
Secret Service and at recognized the mitude
OF the face OF the young man with whom ne ead the erGe
and nasening the Office of Major French and showing
Hfr Commissioner do you recognize that face 2"
After scanning 1t critically few moments the Major
Yes. would know that face among thousand
ten thOIsand That Is the man You had the seue win
on Inauguration Day, who gave much trouble
met min FACE 20 face. That is the same man. Who is
He is the actor Chang him who has murdered the
President" replied Westfall.
NV Godi'' Exclaimed the Commissioner. what a
fearI. risk ran" anding to the scene III the ro-
tanGs lie undoubtedly intended murder the Presi
dent then but yon prevented IT. Others OF the police
force who were participants in the struggle, also reccg
MED the likeness.
Ths discovery put the simple act Of duty Of Mr. West
fan among .the lofty ones OF public benetactOrs 90
thought Commissioner French He felt that the Nation
owed debt OF gratitude for this act which mad probably
saved from dire calamity at tnat cfiical lle Inc
Confederate armies then IN the field strong ana d
tant the issue was yet doubtful, Inc Cpn!,ierae
Government was apparently firmly seated ri KlGhm9hG;
and hopeful Had Lincoln fallen at that time, who shall
say what the result might have been When he did fall
the Confederate Government was might've. ana lts
power dissOving Ike yapOr. The armies OF the
mists before the rising sun The Republic was safe
The strong arms OF j. w. Westfa OF Duchess County,
NewYork, private policeman, Lad spared the Presl-
dents life 10 that happy time and enabled him TO enjoy
for moment, the exquisite pleasure OF that
his country was saved, strengthened and purified.
Commissioner French called the attention Of acting
Vice-Presdent Foster and Speaker Colfax westfas
the creation Of the Office OF lieutenant OF police
might be inc honored incumbent OF the place and enjoy
This was the least reward that could be offered II
Done ana oy commission signed by MAJOR French Jan
created for him.
Does this faithful patriotic citizen still enjoy the honor
and the emOlument of this neutenancy which he Is
entitled
Alas No SOulless political partisans regardless OF
public sentiment and the voice OF justice sETc his
place OF different political creed and this
faithful public servant discharged from the service
in 1876.
Mr. Westiall is poor man. and is now in the decline Of
life He is too modest and self respecting complain
He has borne the ngrattude and the injustice for years
without "A murmur.
Congress- always quick to reward deserving public
neglected. when informed OF the circumstances OF The
case. our Government is paying many millions OF dol
lars in pensions tO soldiers who served their cQu
try faithfully, but faithfully than did Mr. West
fall. our country Is rich enough to do IT, rich,
pleh0rc with wealth that the financial agents Of the
Government puzzled know what do with IT, in
tl,as .bo,,fI H. l.no ~