Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1885-03-12

DcCu COubiuCIc Gu a WOItuicoS icllOW ~
Moseby's command, he was the most
daring and resolute character thai
participated in the infamous assassi.
nation plot.
The negroes of Washington were
great admirers of Secretary Stanton
They believed him to be the real faith.
er of the Emancipation Proclamation
A delegation of them waited on the
Secretary at his residence that even
ing to tender him their congratula-
tions on the successful termination OF
the war and to solicit his continued
good Offices in behalf Of their race.
While the ceremony of introduction
and coRgratulation was progressing
a white man put in an appearance
supposed to be o 'Laughlin, of WHOM
the negroes at once became suspicious.
They watched him closely. Their in
quisitive looks and conduct BODIED no
good for the fellow, which he instinc-
lively realized in q moment Conf
dent that any attempt on Mr.. Stan
tons life while surrounded by his
negro admirers would result in GER
tain and instant death to the intruder,
he hurriedly left the premises with
out accomplishing his purpose. Moth
ing more was thought of him until
late in the evening, when all Wash
ington was aroused as the news of the
assassination was passed from lip to
lip. Then, and not till then, was it
known that Secretary Stanton was to
have been killed also. The presence
of these negroes at Secretary Stanton 3
house that night saved his life.
On the corner of Pennsylvania
avenue and Twelfth street, where the
Pension Office now stands, during the
Rebellion, was public house known
as Kirkwoods Hotel. In this hostelry
Vice-President Andy johnson had
SUIT OF rooms. On the evening of the
assassination lady friend called ON
Andy and insisted on his spending
the evening in her company. The
gallant Tenneseean willingly accepted
the pressing invitation. Before leav-
ing the hotel he took the trouble to
inform the clerk that he would not re-
turn before morning.
When Atzerodt (who was detailed |
to kill Vice-President Johnson) dis
covered that the room was vacant, he |
reported the fact to Harold Booths |
llentenant.) Harold went to the
clerk of the hotel to learn when ANDY
would return. He was told not till |
in the morning. Then Harold, first
telling Atzerodt to look out for him
self, hurriedly mounted his horse, and
rode rapidly to Lafayette Square to
see Il Payne was at his post Of duty.
Finding that Payne was there, he
wheeled his horse and rode rapidly to
the navy yard bridge, where he had
previously agreed to meet Booth. |
Thus while the keen-edged knife of
Payne was handled with the vigorNof
q demon, and while the fatal bullet of
the assassin, Booth, had completed its
awful work on that eventful evening,
Andy vas enjoying himself in the
company Of his fair friend, totally
oblivioos Of the fact that the bloody |
work OF that night had made him
President Of the United States.
immediately after the assassination
many Of the employees and actors con-
nected with Ford's Theatre, including
lhs proprietor, John f. Ford, were
my guests at the Old Capitol Prison.
Jnnius Brutus Booth, o brother of
j. Wilkes, and the comedian Clarke,
who was the husband Of Booth sister,
together with many lesser lights of |
the stage, were in my custody also.
and this motley gathering made things
lively In the prison.
Theatrical people, as general rule.
are professional GROWERS, and when |
they realized that their friends and |
loved ones were not allowed to visit
or communicate with them then the
growing bordered on dispair.
The tears Of the fair sex had suffici- |
ent power TO make me disregard this
order of Secretary Stanton, and the
estimable wife Of John T. Ford was
the first one accorded the privilege of |
seeing her husband, These interviews
! reported to Secretary Stanton and
he allowed me to exercise nv iudp-
ment, but specified the persons who
should not be so favored.
1t had been arranged that nv res.
ignation should be accepted, to enable
me to organize the secret service d. |
vision of the Treasury Department |
which did, and my commission for
that position dates two. days prior to
the execution Of Mrs. Surratt.
Some years after the assassination
OF President Lincoln John Surratt was
arrested and brought to Washington
Tor trial. charged with being one of
the original conspirators. Periured
testimony was available for the occa-
SIGN to secure the conviction of the
son OF the innocent mother
The infamy was, as it should have
been, frustrated, as John Surratt was
not a party to the assassination plot,
and, as | believe, had no knowledge
whatever of it. | took occasion 10
publicly denounoe those engaged in
the prosecution, and as a consequence
lost favor with those in authority.
Some time after the execution of
Mrs, Surratt President johnson sent
for me and requested me to give him
my version of Mrs, Surratt's connec-
ton with the assassination of President
Lincoln, / did so ana bal;aya 4,