Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-03-27
A STRANGE STORY.
Sec alIIng the AssassinatIon of Lin


One cold morning nineteen years
ago, as the hack rolled into the Ger.
man colony of Wartburg, Tenn,
correspondent to the Cincinnati En-
quirer, a stranger stepped out, and,
carrying on his shoulder a square box
and valise, approached TIE inn OF tho
place and asked for board aud lodg-
ing. He was eyed suspiciously on ac-
count of his rough appearance, scant
baggage, and nervous manner He
was taken in and given room. When
he got inside, he locked the door Sc
curely and fastened the window shut
ters. What he did in the room, and
what he came there for, has not been
revealed 10 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 a great ia
vorite with the people, but his mys
ferrous ways and manners kept them
away from him somewhat He was
of nervous temperament, and was
always watching for someone.
When the hack would arrive
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 made daily. Hii
anxiety increased, and he began 70
lead the life of recluss, and when he
came out would always listen and
never utter word.
One of his peculiarities was TO al
ways leave party that began to dis
cuss the war One day he became
almost crazy with fear, and seemed ts
be searchiug for something he had
lost, He was seen TO have dropped
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 il 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. II was a desk. OF this he
raved in his wild delirium. and stated
that in the drawers were disclosures
that would astonish the whole ceun.
try, but the keys were tied around his
neck, He called the names of Span
gler, Harold, Atzerott, Payne. and
MHdd, and said his name vas Booth.
When he got well and was told OF
mis- wild talks he was startled and de-
MED ever having said such words.
He lived afterwards in the same mys-
terious manner until one day recent
ly, when a gentlemen from Fred
ericksburgh, Va, was passing through
the mountains with party inspect
ing the coal deposits and stopped at
the hotel. Sinclair was walking
across the street when the wind blew
his hat off.
The gentleman who was standing at
a window uttered an exclamation and
said: Heavens Can that be
Erastus Booth, the brother of j.
Wilkes Booth2 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, Boothr He.stopped
suddenly, inyoluntarily turned his
head, caught himself, and proceeded
on his walk.
That night be quietly stole away in
the darkness with his desk and bag
gage. He has not been heard Of
since.