Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-04-03
Wilkes BOurR IN TIM FOODS.


UILhES BOuTR IN THE FOODS.
A Piece of Previously Unwritten
History Upon the Assassin's
Attempted Escape.
In the Century for april, George Alfred
Townsend tries in an interesting way to
close the gap in the history Of Wilkes
Booth, between his Disappearance in the
pines Of southeastern Maryland and his
temperance in Virginia when he was
killed. The information is furnished by
Thomas A. Jones, rather stupid appear
ing, but really keenly observing man and
one who refused the 800, 900 reward and
slmos. alone managed the escape across
the Potomac in row boat.
jones' first encounter with the fugi-
tives ia described as follows: Booth
and Herold were sent into the short pines,
ard there Jones found them. He says
that as he was advancing into the pines
he came upon bay mare, with black
legs, name anu tail, and white star on
the forehead; she was saddled and rowing
around in little cleared space a. II try
ing to nibble something to eat. Jones
took the mare and tied her to tree or
stump, He then advanced and gave
What he calls the countersign, or whistle,
which he does not precisely remember
now, though he thinks it WAS two
whistles IN pecultr way, and whistle
sitter sn interval. The first person he
saw wSs Herold, fully armed and with
osfhine Ia his hand, coming ont o see
VINO IT was JoEes explained that he had
been sent to see them, and was then
taken 10 Boo.hi who was but few rods
further along.
Booth was lying on the ground,
wrapped mp in blankets, with his foot
supported and bandaged, and q erutcb
beside him. His rnmpled dress looked
respectsble for that country, aud Jones
says it wcs OF BLACK cloth. His FAC, was
| pale a. all times, and never ceased to bs
20 during the several days that Jones
saw him. He was in great pain from his
broken ankle, which had suffered frsc-
tore Of one Of the two bones in the leg,
down close to the foot. L. would not have
given him any very great pain hut for
the exertiou Of his eFcape, which irri
tated j, by scrspiDg theeuds Ofths broken
bone perhaps IN the il-sh II was now
highly ifrttated, and whichever way the
man moved he expressed by twi,cb or
a groan the pain he felt. Jones says
that 'his pain was more Or less continuous
aud was greatly aggravated by the peril
Of Booth IS situatiou-upable to cross the
river without assistance, ard unable 10
walk any distsboe whatever. Jones
believes that Booth died not rise from the
ground at any time until he was fuallv
put on Jones horse 20 be taken 10 the
water side some days atterward
Booths first solioiJude seemed 10 b,
TO learn what mankind thought Of the
crime. That question ns put almost iu
me5iately TO Jones, and continued 70 asb
what different classes Of peOpl. tAoueh'
about II. Jones told him that H. wa.
gratifying news to most the msn o
touthern sympathies. He frankly saw
that he himself at first regarded it a
good news; but some y hat later. when Ii,
saw the injurious conAeuusnses of III
crime to the aonth, he charged his mind
b III desired newspapers il thew com,
he h ad, which would convey to him Al
idsa Of public feeling. Jones' soon oh
taiue5 newspapers for him, aud coat,nu u
u send hem in; aud Booth lag there
wh4re the plael we're 30 thick that ON
could no. see more than 80 or 40 f..
, iuto them, reading what the wor d la,
to say abont hi. case. He seemed peve
, tired of inIOrmatiDu on this one an hi 20.
, ard the only Thing besides he was soliel
tous about was to get across the rive
, into Virginia,
"Jones esys Booth admitted that /,
wa the man who killed Lincoln. and ex
pres SD 20 regret for the act, knowing al
the consequences it involved. He hsrpe
! again and again upon the necessity of hi
crossing the river. He said II he conl
only get to Virginia he could hsy
medical attendance. Jones t,ld hin
q frankly that he would receive no medos
q attendance iu Maryland. Ssid he: sTb
y, coua,ry is full of soldiers. and All that
eau. 10 for yoa il 10 get Won off n Gar