Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-07-07
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.

JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
NEW AND INTERESTING FACTS CONCERNING
HIS PURSUIT AND DEATH.
In talk with DR.. G.. G.. Roy, of this
city, he furnished some particulars ot
Booths death not before known, and what
is more. these incidents were narrated by
the principal in rendering relief to the dy.
ing man. Said the DOCTOR
On visit to my daughter. Mrs. DR..
Webb, of Bowling Green, Caroline county,
Va, last Christmas, was permitted an in.
terview with Miss H., who was residing at
the Garrett homestead, where Wilkes Booth
stopped after the assassination of President
Lincoln and where he was captured and
died from the rife shot of Boston Corbett.
I:.found Miss Fl. most intelligent and in
teresting talker, teacher by profession
She was deliberate and careful in her con-
versation, and though demanding that her
name should not be published, frankly an
swered and nnlarged upon every question
propounded to her, and of the veracity OF
her every statement I have not the slight
est doubt.
The Garrett homestead is situated on the
Rappahannock river, twenty miles South of
Fredericksburg and two miles North of the
village of Port Royal, on the same river
On the North side of the river, opposite this
village, is Port Conway. To this place
Booth came the Sunday afternoon after the
assassination. He sent Harold across the
river to Port Royal to know if there were
any Confederate officers there. Learning
that there were, he and Harold went across
the river, and were met by Lieut.. Ruggles
and young mar, Willie Jett. 1t seems
that Harold was very confiding in his COM
informed them who Booth was. This very
much displeased Booth, who very severely
chided Harold for bis indiscretion.
Miss H. said that about noon on Monday
three men came from the main road down
the lane to Mr.. Richard Henry Garrett's
house, where was residing ia the capacity
of teacher One was riding alone and two
were on ore horse These two proved to be
Jett and Booth. Mr.. Garrett being out on
the farm, they we're met by some Of the Ia
dies of the family, and Jett, speaking, re-
quested permission to leave his friend, Mr..
Boyd, " no had been wounded at the evacu-
alton of Petersburg, and needed few days
rest. They were invited to remain until
Mr.. Garrett reached the house, and they
accepted. He soon came, when Jett said
''NIr. Garrett, let me introduce you to my
friend, Mr.. Boyd. who was wounded at Pc
tersburg, and whom we would like for you
to take care of for three days, when we will
come and take him away" Mr.. Garrett
said "But who are you? You are all
strangers to me, and though would like to
accommodate any one in distress, I am
very poorly prepared to do so now Jett
quickly said: 'sMy name is Jett." Mr..
Garrett said care you a son of William
Jett, of King George county?" Jett replied
81 am.'' Mr.. Garrett then said: "1f that
is so, your father is an old friend of mine.
We once did business together, and if you
are his son, I don't feel willing to turn
away your friend, who seems to be hurt, as
he is on crutches." He then invited them
into the house. Boyd, who was J. Wilkes
Booth, remained. The other two (Jett and
Ruggles) rode off, promising to be in often
to see after their friend, and ON Wednesday
they wonld call and take him away. They
came late in the afternoon to see ''Boyd, -
and had short conversation with him, and
rode off again. A Lieut.. Bainbridge was at
Port Royal, and was one Of the party to
meet Booth.
Miss H, says: 'Harrold came on Tues
day and remained with Booth Booth was
an intensely interesting talker, and as gen.
tie and refined in his department as lady.
He got along very we'll on crutches, and
when an offer was made to dress his wound
he refused, saying it did not trouble him
and he did not mind it. None of the Gar
rett family, up to this time, had heard OF
the assassination of President Lincoln. On
Tuesday, the day after Booth came, two of
Mr.. Garrett's sous went fishing in the river.
Then they heard for the first time of the
assassination. They returned by dinner,
and at the dinner.table told what they had
heard of the murder of the President. -
Booth was present, and, Miss n. says, was
an intent listener, without the slightest
emotion or any change of couptenance ex.
cept that of great surprise, which pervaded
ali seated at the table. Mr.. Garrett, Sr.,
very quickly remarked: II hope it is not
SO. 1 believe it would be one Of the great.
est calamities that could befall u.s. Booth,
up to this time silent and without emotion,
a little excited, said: 'Do you think that?''
Mr.. Garrett replied: eyes, do" Booth
Baid: 81 cannot think SO. I rather believe,
if it is SO, that good will come of it to the
South" He asked one of the young Gar
retts if he had heard any of the particulars
of the assassination, and if there was a re-
ward offered for the party doing it. Young
Garrett replied that he had heard that $25,
900 reward was offered. Booth remarked
that he thought that rather pitiful reward
for the slayer of the President.
Miss II. says that after Harold came, he
and Booth would walk and sit together
and seemed very much engaged in conver
sation. She noticed that they watched thu
main road very vigilantly, and when they
would see dust, as if there was some ont
passing along, they would hurry to The
house, and come inside, but never was thu
suspicion of single member of the family
aroused as to their being other than Con
federate soldiers trying to get home.
On Wednesday there was a big dust ir
the road as if there might be bodies O
troops. Booth seemed somewhat excited
and asked one of the ladies, ''Please be 81
kind as to step up to my room and get my
pistol, which was hanging on the head o.
his bed. She went and brought it to him
and in raising his coat to buckle it arounC
his waist she noticed that he had on three
others, making four, each carrying six load
ed chambers. Jett and Ruggles called thi!
day "Wednesday and Mr.. Garrett wanted
to know when they were geing to TAXI
their friend Boyd away. This they prom
issd to do that afternoon, but they did mo-
return. They had quite a lengthy talk
with Booth and Harold before they left
after which they both seemed nervous and
restless.
Night approaching, Booth asked if there
was not a vacant Clubhouse that he and hi!
friend could stay in during the night. Thi
aroused the anxiety of the family, and Mr.
Garrett propounded some very critica
questions suggested by this request. HI
told them he was afraid there was some
thing wrong about them, and he had beer
imposed upon. Both assured him he wa
mistaken. They were gentlemen, and hat
not done anything of which they wer
ashamed. He told them if they wanted
to hide out, they had better go to the wood
or down to the marsh. They were th