Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-03-26
A STRANGE STORY.
Recalling the Assassination of Linz
colin

Recalling the Assassination of Linz
coin.
One cold morning nineteen wears
ago, as the hack rolled into the Ger
man colony of Wartburg, Tenn,
correspondent to the Cincinnati En-
quirer, stranger stepped out, and,
carrying on his shoulder square box
and Valise, approached tae inn of the
place and asked for board aud lodg-
ing. He was eyed suspiciously on &C.
count OF his rough appearance, scant
baggage, and nervous manner. He
was taken IN and given room. When
ne got inside, he locked the door Sc
curely and fastened the window shut
tiers. What he did in the room, and
what he came there for, has not been
revealed to the people until stranger
came through the place a few days
ago, after nineteen years of compan-
ionship with him. He occupied the
room and always locked it, carrying
the keys with HIM. After being with
the people some time, he was asked to
participate IN their pleasures and
assemblies. He gave his name as Sin
clair, and would entertain them with
marvellous tales of travel and adven-
lures, claiming to have been sea
captain. He soon became great IA
vorite with the people, but his mys-
ferrous ways and manners kept them
away from him somewhat. He was
| OF a nervous temperament, and was
always watching for someone.
When the hack would arrive
he would always leave the crowd un-
til 1t 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 made daily. His
anxiety increased, and he began to
lead the life OF a recluse, and when he
came out would always listen and
never utter g word.
One Of ais peculiarities was to al
ways leave party that began to dis
cuss 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 as
sissination of Lincoln by Booth.
When ne was asked what it was he
had lost, he replied something that
interested him as much as his life.
The paper was afterwards slipped near
his door. When he discovered it the
shock made him i'll. He took to his
bed, and was delirious for several
days. In the room was the square
box he had been seen to bring with
him. 1t was q desk. Of this he
raved In his wild delirium, and stated
that IN the drawers were disclosures
that would astonish the whole coun.
try, but the keys were tied around his
neck, He called the names of Span
gler, Harold, Atzerott, Payne, and
Mudd, and said his name was Booth.
When he got we'll and was told of
MS wild talks he was startled and de-
MED ever having said such words.
He lived afterwards in the same mys-
FERROUS manner until one day recent
~, when a gentlemen from Fred
ericksburgb, Va, was passing through
the mountains with party inspect
IAS G1S COd1 NCpOSIGS dIu stopped at
the hotel. Sinclair was walking
across the street when the wind blew
his hat off.
The gentleman who was standing at
window uttered an exclamation and
said: Heavens Can that be
Erastus Booth, the brother of J.
Wilkes Booth? The last time saw
him was 10 years ago IN Washington,
during the excitement of the assassin
alton of Lincoln"
The people gathered around to hear
his story Of the last time he saw him,
and to tell of his mysterious coming
10 years ago. After listening to the
two narratives, the conclusions were
that he was the man. The next day,
while out walking, Sinclair was pass
ing a party. when one of the number
called: "Hello, BOOTH" He.stopped
suddenly, involuntarily turned his
head, caught himself, and preceded
on his walk
That night he quietly stole away in
the darkness with his desk and bag
gage. He has not been heard of
since,