The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-04-24
A Fresh Chapter about wilkes
Booth.

Booth.
Before clerks desk in the off e Of
the Auditor General.of Michigan sits the
man who commanded the handful of
cavalry tlsl captured J. Wilkes Bl1ih.
and saw the assassin shot IN the OH Vir-
GINA barn ~ Tell me who you
are and what you want Of me, said the
assassin. Il may be am being taken
by my frinds."
Il makes no difference who we are.
We have ffty well-arned men around
this barn, and you cannot make your Is
cape"
There was momentary pIuse. when
Booth said. despondingly
Captain, this is hard ease, swear
| am lame. Give me a chance. Draw
up your men twenty yards from the door
and will come out and fight your whole
command"
I'VE are not here to fight, replied Ba-
ker, bat to take you. You are now free
to surrender"
Give me little time to consider, urg-
ed Booth
Very we'll i; you can have two min
utes."
Booth was quiet until the time had
nearly elapsed. Then he said, entreat-
ingly
Captain, believe you TO be a brave
and honorable man. I have had half
dozen opportunities TO shoot you, and I
have a bead drawn ON you now, but do
not wish TO do IT, Withdraw your mcn
from the door, and will come out. Give
me this chance for my life, Captain, for I
will not be taken alive"
'' Your time is Up" was the grim re-
ply. We shall wait no longer. We shall
lire the barn"
The theatrical instinct was still strong
in the murderer. In a STACEY tone, he
exclaimed:
Well, my brave boys, you can prepare
a streteher for me, then
And AFTER a slight pause, the listening
officer heard him mutteT
One more staIn on the glorous old
banner!7
Colonel Conger ignighted a match on
his side of the barn and lighted the corn
leaves that protruded through n crack.
AS they famed up Lieutenant Baker
swung open the door and looked in.
Booth seemed to be leaning against the
NOV, but was crouched as though in the
act Of springing forward. His crutches
were under his arms, and his carbine in
his hands. His appearance indicated
that he intended to jump toward the FIRE
and shoot the man who had lighted it.
But the sudden glare blinded him.
The flames swept up TO the roof, rolled
across and to the floor below. lie was
picture Of Apollo in frame Of fire. Booth
stood under an arch CT flame, leaping,
rolling and Kissing, as in mockery Of his
misery. His only hope now was 20 make
a dash for the door and run the gauntlet
Of the Gordon Of soldiers. Suddenly he
dropped his remaining crutch, threw
down the carbine, and sprang forward.
Then sounded the pistol Of Boston Cor
bett, the man President Lincoln had par
doned when once sentenced to be shot,
for remiSsness on guard duty, and Booth
fell forward on his face. Lieut.. Baker
sprang upon him and caught the nerve
les arms. It was unnecessary. The shot
had paralized him below the wound, and
all save the fertile brain and futtering
heart and lungs were already dead. The
assassin was carried from the barn and
laid under an apple tree out Of reach Of
the flames. Presently he opened his eyes
and appeared to realize his condition.
In a painful whisper, he said ~Tell moth
er. Tell mother"
Then he became unconscious again.
The heat of the burning barn became in
tolerable under the tree, and he was re-
moved to the piazza. A cloth wet with
brandy and water was placed between n
his lips, and at length he revived again.
His eyes looked with dumb appeal into
the faces Of those about him.
Oh, kill me kill me quick, he whis-
psred bitterly.
Another lapse into Inconsistencies and
it seemed impossible that he could revive
again, but just before sunrise there was
a Frightening Of the stunned brain. As
he revived he put out his tongue. and
Lieutenant Baker, thinking he wanted 10
know if there was blood in his mouth,
told him there was none.
Tell mother die for my country"
Booth gasped to the officer. did what
thought was best
Baker lifted one Of his nerveless hands.
1t fell back by his side again. Useless,
useless" murmured Booth. These were
the last words.