Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-06-25
WILKES BOOTH.
SOME ACCOUNTS OF HIS ESCAPE TO CARO-.
LINE COUNTY-AN INTERVIEW WITH
A LADY LIVING IN THE HOUSE TO
WHICH HE WENT.

"A AAO1 LILY lN0 LIN 4dG hOO0I ~
WHICH HE WENT.
The story Of John Wilkes Booth and
his tragic death will ever be one of inter
est to the reader. There is something so
mysterious connected with it that many
refuse to believe in the assassin s death,
and stoutly MAINTAIN his existence. In a
talk with DR.. G.. Il. Roy, of this city, he
death not before known, and what is more,
these incidents were narrated by the prin
cipal in rendering relief to the dying man.
Said the Doctor.
On visit to my daughter, Mrs. DR..
Webb, Of Bowling Green, Caroline, coun-
ty. Va, last Christmas, was permitted
an interview with Miss H., who was resid-
ing at the Garrett homestead, where
Wilkes Booth stopped after the assasslna.
tion Of President Lincoln, and where he
was captured and died from the rifle shot
of Boston Corbett. I found Miss II. a
most intelligent and interesting talker, a
teacher by profession. She was deliberate
and careful in her conversation, and
though demanding that her name should
not be published, frankly answered and
enlarged upon every question propounded
to her; and of the veracity of Ler every
statement have not the slightest 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 after
noon after the assassination. He sent
Harold across the river to Port Royal to
know if there were any Confederate off
GERS there. Learning that there were, he
and Harold went across the river and
were met by Lieutenant Ruggles and a
young man, Willie Jet. 1t seems that
Harold was very confding in his commu-
nications to these young men, and had in
formed them who Booth was. This very
much displeased Booth, who very severely
chided Harold for his indiscretion.
Miss H. said that about noon on Mon
day three men came from the main road
CARROTS house. where she was residing
in the capacity of teacher. One was rid
ing alone and two were On one horse
These two proved to be Jett and Booth.
Mr.. Garrett being out on the farm, they
were met by some of the ladies of the
family, and Jett, speaking, requested per
mission to leave his fried, Mr.. Boyd who
had been wounded at the evacuation of
Petersburg. and needed few day y rest.
They were invited to remain until Mr..
Garrett reached the houses land they &C.
cepted. He soon came, when Jett said !:
"Mr. Garrett, let me introduce to you my
friend, Mr.. Boyd, who was wounded at
Petersburg. 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 I
would like to accommodate any one in
distress. am very poorly prepared to do
so now." Jet quickly said: ''My name
is Jett." Mr.. Garrett said: Are you
son of William Jett, of King George
county9" Jet replied: 81 am" Mr.. Gar
rett then said IF that is so, your father
is an old friend of mine. We once did
business together, and if you are his son 1
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. This other two (Jett
and Ruggles) rode off, promi sing to be in
often to see after their friend, and that on
Wednesday they would cali and take him
away. They came late In the afternoon
to see ssBoyd," and had a short oouversa-
ton with him and rode eff again. A Lieu
tenant cambridge was at Port Royal and
was one Of the party to meet Booth.
Miss H. says: Harold came on Tuesday
and remained with Booth. Booth Was an
Intensely interesting talker, and as gentle
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 trou-
BILE him and he did not mind it. None of
the Garrett family, up to this time, had
heard Of the assassination Of President
Lincoln. On Tuesday. the day after Booth
came, two of Mr.. CARROTS sons 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 II. says, was an intent listener,
without the slightest emotion or any
change of countenance except that of
great surprise. which pervaded all seated
at the table. Mr.. Garrett, ST., very quick
ly remarked; 81 hope it is not so. ! be-