The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-12
UNPUBLISHED HISTORY,
AN IMPORTANT INCIDENT IN TAs
CAREER OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.


Method in Which Newspaper Fiction Is
Made to Pass for Truth-How Near Mr..
Lincoln Came to Death in 1861.
Nearly all the late President Lircoln's
biographers, writing of his journey from
Springfield, Ills, to Washington, have
surrounded that trip with many details
which had an existence only in, their
imaginations. While the trip was I'M
doubtedly eventful, and of very great
moment to the nation, it lacked many Of
the elements Of sensationalism that have
been ascribed to it, as have reason to
know from my personal experience
In the winter of 1861 l was in business
in Philadelphia, and one cold stormy
morning in February was startled by
knock at the Office door. Calls at a.
N. were not frequent, and this was
quickly attended TO by the night clerk,
who found a stout, able looking man
standing there, who inquired for me.
AS he entered | recognized the voice of
Allan PinkertOn, the famous detective
and founder of the agency named after
him. Mr.. Pinkerton, in his usual de
cisive way, said: Il have business of
Importance on hand. | want you to
assist me in a very grave and important
matter-one in which there must be no
mistake" As had been interested with
and subordinate to Mr.. Pinkerton in
another case of some magnitude, which
was brought to satisfactory conclusion,
Iquickly understood why he desired my
services.
He further said: 81 want you to take
. small package of papers to my assist
ant In Baltimore without delay, remain
with him until they are read and copied,
then return to this city by the afternoon
train, wait in the Philadelphia, Viii
mington and Baltimore station until you
See Mrs. Blank, of the female part of my
staff, and to whom you will hand the
papers; she will give you further instruc-
tons from me on a matter of the gravest
Importance, an affair that will require
the most prompt and cautious attention
from you"
Mr.. Pinkerton then left the Office, and
all arrangements were quickly made to
do my part in having his instructions
faithfully carried out, and the trip to
Baltimore was properly attended to.
On my return the same evening /
found Mrs Blank waiting for me in the
ladies' room of the station. The papers
were handed to her without delay, and
was ready for such further instructions
as had been given to her for me. She
then said that Mr.. Pinkerton was going
through to Washington that night with
the newly elected president, Mr.. Lin
coin, and his friend, Mr.. Lamon, and
that she expected to accompany them
on the trip. 1t had been arranged that
was to purchase the necessary passage
and sleeping berth tickets, place Mrs
Blank in the car, then keep sharp
lookout for Mr.. Pinkerton and his party
and see that they were conducted to their
sleeping berths as quickly, quietly and
safely as possible.
The daily papers at that time were full
Of the possibilities of danger to the presi-
dent elect on his journey through Balti-
more to Washington, and the public
mind was in state of grave apprehen-
sion and excitement regarding Mr.. Lin
coins personal safety. Under these cir
cumstances 1 naturally felt that the
greatest care on my part should be exer-
cised, and as the ticket Office was not yet
open | went to the train for the purpose
of examination and looking through it,
first going to the sleeper. On entering
the car / was somewhat surprised at
being confronted by a group of six or
eight men. Their appearance and speech
gave very decided indications of their
being southerners.
Instinctively / realized that this party
would bear looking after closely; they
eyed me keenly, and it took fully min
ute to push my way through them. On
getting past | walked slowly down the
aisle to the rear end of the car; after
pausing few moments for reflection |
retraced my steps and found almost the
same difficulty in getting by them and
out Of the car as had in getting into it.
After a short walk up and down the
platform my mind was made up TO a plan
of operation, which | trusted would car
cumvent any evil act Of the party then
in the front end of the sleeper, for felt
as certain as that was living man that
they had no good purpose toward the
newly elected president and the persons
who were making this journey with him
for his protection.
This sleeping car was the last car in
Tho aud r1lan ~ r.r.Gci hl1
to get a key 10 the rear door of the sleep
er, which was always kept locked. To
get KEY was, in my mind, to make me
master Of the situation. After some diff
Guilty succeeded in obtaining key to
this car, and with this important factor
in my possession | returned TO Mrs
Blank and related the circumstances TO
her, on my assurance that the plan OF
operation as devised by me was the only
one possible by which Mr.. PinkertOn's
wishes as TO the safety Of himself aud
party could be carried out To this she
acquiesced. saying she was perfectly sat
isfied that my arrangements would prove
correct.
The ticket Office then being open,
purchased the necessary tickets, taxing
care TO engage the two rear sections Of
the car for Mr.. Lincoln and his party.
Mrs. Blank and myself then started for
the front END OF the sleeping car: the
same group Of men SILL remained at their
posIs, out as a lady WAS with me they
did not scrutinize Us closely, but moved
TO one side for Us 70 pass, 30 with bat
small trouble va walked 70 the rear end, |
and Mrs. Blank took possession Of her !