Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-03-05

depot
rms programme was communicated
to Mr. Lincoln and party on the way
to Harrisburg from Philadelphia on
the morning OF the 22d. The party
consisted Of Judge Davis, Col Lamor,
Col. Sumner, Maj Hunter, and Capt.
Pope. The three latter. army officers,
joined Mr., Lincoln after he left
Springfield The programme was q
surprise to them all. Sumner, who
was the first to express himself, said
it would be a id piece of
oowardice, and that he would get o
squad of cavalry and cut our way
through to Washington. To which
response was made that by that time
inauguration day would have passed,
and that it was important that Mr. Lin
coin should be in Washington ON that
day" Mr.. Lncolls, after full discus
sion decided 10 submit to the judg
ment Of his friends and carry out the
programme The next question was
who should accompany Mr. Lincoln
on the perilous ride Col. Sumner
said he "intended TO see Mr. Lincoln
safe in Washington
Having hastily dined, Mr. Lincoln
was hurried TO his room where he
changed his coat and hat, and passed
rapidly through the hall and out of
the door. Here was Col. Sumner AS
Mr.. Lincoln and Lamon stepped into
the close carriage and Sumner was
about to follow, Norman b. Judd, Of
the party, clapping his hand on Sum
ners shoulder, said aloud. "One
moment, colonel" Sumner turned,
and on the instant the carriage drove
away without him. The colonel was
very angry. Lincoln and Lamon
boarded the car, and they left Harris
burg according to the arrangement.
In the accounts Mr.. Lincoln has
figured as wearing q Scotch cap and
cloak. This is inaccurate. He wore
o soft, light felt hat, drawn down over
his features, according to circum-
stances, and a shall thrown over his
shoulders, so that his features could
be disguised If necessary.
The programme worked without
any obstruction. There was a female
spy in the case to help work 1t, and
number of detectives to cover the
tracks and preserve the mystery. Mr..
Lincoln had berth, which, Of course,
was too short, and gave occasion for
Jokes. Little was saio about danger
and no evidences of the conspiracy
detected, except certain apocryphal
reports by detectives from Baltimore.
That city was reached at half past 3
o'clock in the morning, and except an
amount of whispering and reconnoit
eripg and the final "all right, "
nothing unusual occurred. There
were some ludicrous incidents which
for Mr.. Lincoln were agreeable var-
ations, and he enjoyed them immense
ly. In due time the cars were hauled
through the city and on their way to
Washington. which was reached on
time. Mr.. Lincoln and Col. Lamon
passed out of the car and through the
depot unobserved except by one man,
who watched Mr.. Lincoln closely,
and, Selling hold of the hand of the
president elect, cried out: You
can't play that on me-" The stranger
was about TO be struck, when Mr..
Lincoln interposed with "Dou't
strike him, don't strike him. It's
Washburn = Mr.. Seward had given
Washburn a hint of what was going
on. They all drove to Wizards
where Mr.. Lincoln was soon after
found by Mr.. Seward
Monday, March 4, broke bright,
with every indication of fair weather
Rumors of conspiracy and violence
filled the air. Secession was openly
talked. Fears were entertained for
Mr. Lincoln's personal safety. Gen.
Scott had for days been making eau
tionary arrangements The Amer
can Gag foated from the city hall and
the departments. Few citizens raised
the flag over their dwellings, or places
of business. There was an omlnous
sullenness. How much was meant
no one could accurately say.
At s IN the morning citizens began
TO assemble in the neighborhood Of
Willmd's hotel, where Mr.. Lincoln
was staying, and it was not long be-
fore Pennsylvania avenue and the
adjacent streets were packed. The
buildings for blocks either way,
wherever stand or foothold could be
gained, were crammed with human
beings AT an early hour the mill
tary had begun to move. The drum
and fife were heard in many direc.
tons Troops were marching and
countermarching and predictions of
bloods ed were freely INDUCED in.
At The capitol the people of all condi
tons and classes began 10 gather, aud
before the day had far advanced a
vast crowd were already in waiting.
Mr.. Lincoln had risen early and
members of his cabinet and others
were with him. AT the capitol, in the
senate, Crittendeu, Wade, Douglas,
Wigfall, and Trumbull were keeping
up a rafting debate. The session had
been extended over twelve hours.
About nine o'clock the procession
began to form, B. B French was the
grand marshal, assisted by many aids.
At II the procession began to move,
passing through Louisiana and Penn
sylvania avenues The military form
ed on all sides at Wizards.
Mr.. Buchanan, who had been kept