The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-03-25
A STRANGE STORY.
Incident ssecalling the Assassina-
ton of President Lincoln.
The Queer Behavior OF an Unknown Man
NJ Wartburg, Tenn, and His Sudden
and Mysterious Departurc-An
Interesting Narrative.
Chattanooga Cor Cincinnati Enqu lrer.l

Chattanooga Cor Cincinnati Enqu irerl
One cold morning nineteen years ago,
as the hack rolled into the German colony
Of Wartburg, Tenn, a stranger stepped
out, carrying on his shoulder square box
and valse, approached the inn Of the place
and asked for board and lodging. He was
eyed suspiciously on account Of his rough
appearance, scant baggage and nervous
manner. He was taken in and given a
room. When he got inside he locked the
door securely, and fastened the window
shutters. What he did in the room and
what he came there for has not been re-
vealed to the public until stranger came
through the place few days ago after
nineteen years Of companionship with
him. He occupied the room and always
locked it, carrying the key with him.
After being with the people some
time he was asked to participate in their
pleasures and assemblies. He give his
name as Sinclair, and would enter
tain them with marvellous tales Of travel
and adventures, claiming to have been
sea captain. He soon became great ia
vorite with the people, but his mysterious
ways and manners kept them away from
him somewhat. He was of nervous
temperament, and was always W atching
for some one. When the hack would arr
rive he would always leave the crowd un-
til it had gone and the passengers housed.
His dress was of the coarsest material. He
wore his beard long, and large hat with
brim down over his eyes.
The village gradually grew larger, and
new arrivals were made daily. His anx-
iety increased, and he began to lead the
life of recluse, and when he came out he
would always listen and never utter
word.
One of his peculiarties was to always
leave party that began to discuss the
war. One day he became almost crazy
with fear, and seemed to be searching for
something he had lost. He was seen to
have dropped a paper which was picked
up. IN it was contained the account Of the
assassination of Lincoln by Booth. When
he was asked what it was he had lost, he
replied something that interested him as
much as his life. The paper was afterward
slipped near his door. When he discov-
cred 1t the shock made him i'll. He took to
his bed, and was delirious for several days.
In his room was the square box he had
been seen to bring with him. 1t was desk
OF this he raved in his wild delirium, and
stated that In the drawers were disclos-
ures that would astonish the whole coun-
try; but the keys were tied around his
neck. He called the names of Spangler
Harold, Atzerott, Payne and Mudd, and
said his name was Booth.
When he got well and was told OF his
wild talks he was startled and denied ever
having said such words. He lived after
ward in the same mysterious manner until
one day last week, when gentleman from
Fredericksburg, Va, was passing throu gh
the mountains with party inspecting the
coal deposits and stopped at the hotel.
Sinclair was walking across the street
when tho wind blew his hat off,
The gentleman who was standing at
window uttered an exclama alton and said:
"Heavens! can that be Erastus Booth, the
brother OF J. Wilkes Booth2 The last time
Washington, during the excitemen. Of tho
assassination Of Lincoln"
The people gathered around him to hear
his story OF the last time he saw him, and
to tell ofhis mysterious coming nineteen
years ago. After listening to the two
narratives the conclusions were that he
was the man. The next day, while out
walking, Sinclair was passing a party,
when ono OF tho number called: "Hello,
Boothp He stopped suddenly, involun-
tarily turned his head, caught himself and
proceeded on his walk.
That night he quietly stole away In the
darkness with his desk and baggage. His
going was as mysterious as hsJ coming.
He has not been heard Of since.