The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-02-29
TAKEN FOR MRS. SURRATT.
Rhode Island Lady's Adventure at the
Time of Lincoln's Assassination.

TAKEN FOR MRS. SURRATT.
A Rhode Island Lady's Adventure at TIN
Time of Lincoln's Assassination.
(From the New York SUM-
PROVIDENCE, r. l., February 49,
There lives in this city most estlmablt
lady, Mrs. Stevenson, who twenty-five
wears ago was arrested and confined il
Fortress Monroe as one of the assassin'
of Abraham Lincoln. Mr.. Samuel W
Pierce and his sister, Mrs. Stevenson
were travelling to Newberne, n. c., a
the time that Booths bullet struck dowr
President Lincoln, AMI they were con
sinuing their journey, while the country
was being secured by soldiers and de
tectives 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 a 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 officer smiled grimly and said that
such assumed innocence might deceive a
greenhorn in the service of the country,
but it would have no effect On veteran
Of his experience. Cautioning the tray
elers to keep their own counsel if they
wished to reach the fort in recognizable
condition, he gave the word of command
and the dragons ranging themselves on
each side Of the carriage in which the
lady and gentleman were riding, broke
into canter, closing up on all sides, 50
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 prls-
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 be
prepared to leave for Washington at an
hours notice"
ssI have no business in Washington.
sir. I have just left that city"
81 am compelled to take official notice
of the admission, madam, was the grave
but respectful reply: ''in the meantime
you viii hand me your travelling bag"
ssHave fallen into the hands of ban
dts or highwaymen?" exclaimed Mrs.
Stevenson, at loss to conceive the
cause of their detention.
ssYou have fallen into the hands OF
loyal soldiers of the Union, madam; men
who must do their duty even if it offend
and discommode lady"
81 beg your pardon; indeed I do, ,
said the lady, with frankness. 81 am
annoyed, it is true, at this unwarrantable
detention, but it gives me no excuse fol-
calling you bandits. Please forgive me,
and the lady extended her hand.
To her astonishment the eoE1mandant
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 little knew the
reason why the brave officer had not &C.
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 we're 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.
eff I telegraph to the Governor Of
Rhode Island, will he confirm what you
say?" ssked the commanding officer.
"Undoubtedly, for he is well acquaint'
ed with us, was the reply.
The wires were put in operation, and
in few hours message was received
from Governor Smith, of Rhode Island.
fully verifying the 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, in
stead OF being sent to Washington unde,
guard as assassins of Lincoln, they
dined with the Colonel and resumed theil