The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1888-03-01
TAKEN FOR MRS. sURRATT.
A Rhode Island Lady's Adve Iture at the
Time of LincoIn's Assassination.
(From the New York Sum,

A Rhode Island Lady's Adve lture Mt th,
| Time of LincoIn's Assassination.
(From the New York sun.2
PROVIDENCE, Il. L., February 1S.-
There lives in this city most estimable
lady, Mrs. Stevenson, who twenty-five
years ago was arrested and confined in
Fortress Monroe as one of the assassins
of Abraham Lincoln. Mr.. Samuel w.
Pierce and his sister, Mrs. Stevenson,
were travelling to Newberne, n. c., at
tho time that Booths bullet struck down
President Lincoln, and they were con-
tlnulng their journey, while the country
was being secured by soldiers and de-
tectlves IN search of the murderers.
When at Newport News an armed party
stopped them, and, after scrutinizing the
lady, the officer in command concluded
that he had intercepted the flight of Mrs.
Surratt and one Of her male accomplices.
Mr.. Pierce was indignant, and demand
ed OF the officer the reason of the honor
conferred by squadron of cavalry at
their heels. Very sternly the captain
bade Mr.. Pierce, if he valued what little
of life remained to him and his COM
panion, to hold his tongue, as he would
not be responsible for the discipline of
his command should their identity be
known to the soldiers.
"Why should they not know who we
are?" inquired the perplexed Pierce.
The oflicor smiled grimly and said that
such assumed innocence might deceive q
greenhorn in the service Of the country,
but it would have no effect on veteran
OF his experience. Cautioning the trav-
elers to keep their own counsel if they
wished to reach the fort in q recognizable
condition, he gave the word of command
and the dragoons ranging themselves on
each side OF tho carriage i'll which the
lady and gentleman were riding, broke
INTO canter, closing up on all sides, SO
that escape was impossible.
at Fortress Monroe the lady and gen
tleman were received in silence. An
orderly dashed ahead to acquaint the
commandant with the nature of the cap
ture, and he, too, seeing the danger of
delivering his prisoners alive, were it
Known that they were Mrs. Surratt and
another of the gang of conspirators, gave
strict orders that the names Of the pris-
oners should be kept secret from the
rank and file. When within the grim
fortress the travellers were separated and
confined in casemate barrack rooms.
"You shall be attended to by women,
madam, said the commandant, "but he
prepared to leave for Washington at an
hours notice."
''I have no business in Washington.
sir. [ have just left that city,"
81 am compelled to take official notice
of the admission, madam, " was the grave
but respectful reply: Gin the meantime
you will hand mo your travelling bag"
'Have [ fallen into the hands of ban
dts or highwaymen?" exclaimed Mrs.
Stevenson, at loss to conceive the
cause Of their detention.
''You have fallen into tho hands of
loyal soldiers of the Union, r1adnm; men
who must do their duty even if it offend
and discommode lady"
81 beg your pardon; indeed / do, !"
said the lady, with frankness. 81 am
annoyed, it is true, at this unwarrantable
detention, but it gives mo no excuse for
calling you bandits. Please forgive me, )"
and the lady extended. her hand.
TO her astonishment the commandant
did not take it. He merely bowed, and
informed her that he would make such
arrangements as he could for her COM
fort. Mrs. Stevenson Ettlo knew the
reason why the brave officer had not ac-
cepted the friendly hand she had ex-
tended, but she soon learned that he
thought it was red with the blood of the
martyred Lincoln, and she readily for
gave him the seeming discourtesy.
An hour later, after the effects of Mr..
Pierce and Mrs. Stevenson had been ex-
amined, they were brought together and
questioned again as to their names and
where they had come from. OF course
they had but one story to tell. They had
come from Providence and were going
to Newberne.
"If telegraph to tho Governor Of
Rhode Island, will he confirm what you
say" asked the commanding officer.
"Undoubtedly, for he is well acquaint-
ed with u.s., was the reply.
The wires were put in operation, and
IN few hours message was received
from Governor Smith, of Rhode Island,
fully verifying tho statements of the
travellers. The explanation was clinched
by the arrival at the fort of an officer of
high rank to whom Mr.. Pierce and Mrs.
Stevenson were personally known. They
were Immediately released, and so, i'll
stead of being sent to Washington under
guard as assassins of Lincoln, they
dined with the Colonel and resumed their
journey,