New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-05

nad In my possession, read them WIN care, mauo
some severe comments on detectives inducing weak
and infirm people to commit crime. and re..ched a
very decided conclusion that this was not proper
case for the death penalty to be inflicted.
At 10 o'clock the next morning two carriages. In
heavy ram, drove up to the White House with a
party of six. consisting of Senator's Laue and Hen:
bricks, Colonel Morrison, Mr.; and Mrs. Bullitt and
myself. Before starting, and on the way. sought
to reassure Mrs. Bullitt by telling her that Mt
Lincoln was plain, kind man; that she could talk
to him without dread or ave. and that wished her
as she could get q chance. OF course she was
suffering great distress and agitation, but her self
asT The saa nso 6e
dents room. AS we entered, saw at glance that
Mr.; Lincolnrhad that sad, preoccupied. .far-away
look had so often seen him wear, and during which
1t was difficult at times to engage his attention TO
passing events. As we approached he slowly turned
TO us, inclined his head and spoke. Senator Lane
occasion of our call, and made known our reasons
for asking Executive cemency. While he was
talking Mr. Lincoln looked Mt HIM in patient, tired
sort OF way but not as # he was struck with the
sensibilities of the subject as we were. hen the
Senator ceased speaking there was no Immediate
responses; OF the contrary, rather an awkward
now my great no 9, and / was not disappointed
Mrs. BullItt had taken seat on coming In not far
from the President, and now, in qnverng but
distinct tones she spoke addressing him as :" Mr..
Lincoln He turned to her with q grave, benig-
nant expression and he listened his eye lost that
distant look, and his face grew animated with g
woman at his side talked wonderfully vol for her
fathers fe and her eyes plead even more eOquently
than her tongue. Suddenly, and while sho was
talking, Mr.. Lincoln, turning to Senator Lane, ex-
claimed:
Lane what did you say this mans name was :"
Luckett,' answered the Senator
Not Henry NJ. LIckettf' quickly queried the
President.
yes" r., interposed Mrs Bullitt; "my fathers
"Why he preached in Springfield years ago,
didn't hei" said Mr.. Lincoln now all animation aud
interest
AYES, my father used to preach in Springfield
aWell this is wondprfulw Mr. Lincoln re-
marked; and turning 70 fhe party 10 front Of him;
he continued: - knew this man well have heard
him proach; he was a tall, angular man like am.
and have been mistaken for him on the streets.
Did you say he was to be shot day after Tomorrow
No, no There will he no shooting nor hanging in
this case. Henry NJ. Luckettl There must be
something wrong with him, or he wouldn't be in
such scrape as this don't know what more
can do for him, bnt you rest assured my child. y
turning to Mrs. Bultt, that your fathers life is
safe"
lie tonched bell on his table. and the telegraph
operator appeared from an adjoining room. 10 HIM
Mr. Lincoln dictated dispatch to General lurlbut
directing him to suspend the execution of Henry NJ
Luckett and await further orders in tho case.
Az we thanked him and took our leave, he re-
peated, as if to himself: Henry VI. Lucketti No
MOI There is no shooting or hanging in this case"
With what feelings we all lett his presence; how
tho w0man's heart bore ITS flood of joy and lis
sudden revulsiOn from the depths of fear and
despair; how she sobbed and laughed, and how
tears and smiles were in her bright face together
how in broken words and choking voice she tried
10 pour ont her unntterablc gratitude TO Abraham
Lincoln; how some of the party returning in the
same carnage with her and her husband were
almost as deeply moved as she was how all these
things and others occurred in the swift transition
| from deep distress and overwhelming dread to hap
| pincss and security cannot now he told. Perhaps
| they were recorded at the time somewhere else.
Two three months later the object OF all on
soicitudc and labors was released and sent Nortl
| to his friends. | saw him but once The first u.s.
| he made of his liDerty was to travel poor rs h
was 10 Washington 10 express his gratitude for In
preservation from violent and ignom nons death
| He called me from my seat in the House. and me
| him exactly where had met those who came t.
nterccde for his life little while before. He wa
tall, spare old man. W tn an excited, startled
| hunted expression of face He wanted to call an,
thank the Pres dent in person for bis great kind
| ness hut the circumstances at the time were no
favorable to such call. and it was not made III
| remained with me not more than fifteen minutes
| aud then in the hurried manner o. one who ma
much to do and whose time is short, he moved ava!
| and saw him more.
The incident have related occurred twenty-On
years ago, and of the nine actors mentioned ~ !
Int three remain to maSe s in , t9s a an OF saa
realize. he has been followed to the grave by hi
| faithful-hearted daughter and her KIND an
| generous husband. General !iurlbnt died IN,
foreign land. while in the diplomatic service of hi
| Government Henry $. Lane full of years and q
honors, rests from the laborS of earth in the mids
of the people who knew and loved HIM from tn
Lincoln in the hour Of his greatest glory, In tn
very zenith of his success and fame, transferred
it WERE in the twinkling of an eye: by red-hande
murder, to the immortal pages of neyer-endn
history How the memory of his kind acts. hi
gentle deeds of charity and of mercy. plead agains
| the deep damnation of his taking off,
| Governor Hendricks. we In Indiana alwav
| stylo him. is the beloved and honored Vice Pres
dent of the United States Colonel Morrison
remains one of the strong, controlling men of tn
House and live to rescue from the fast gathering
msts Of the past the history of this very informal
but at tho same time very touching and character
| istc act of Executive clemency.
| w. VOORHEES,