The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-28
THE ASSASSINATION PLOT OF 1861.
The Part Played by Allan PinkertOn
in Protecting Abraham Lincoln.

McClure's Magazine.
Immediately on their arrival in Baltimore
Mr.. Pinkerton had stationed his detectives
throughout that whole section of Maryland,
and especially in the region along the rail-
road between Baltimore and Havre de
Grace. Within a few days his agents had
not only convinced him of the well-formed
intention on the part Of angry S~outheners
to destroy the railroad bridges and ferry
boats, but reported the existence OF a
blacker plot against the President himself.
On Feb. Q Mr.. Pinkerton learned on relia-
BILE authority that a distinguished citizen
of Maryland had joined with others In TAX
ing a solemn oath to assassinate Mr.. Lin
coin before he should reach Washington.
On the evening OF Feb. 8 twenty consoira-
tors In Baltimore had met in a dark nom
to decide by ballot which one OF them
should kill the President as he passed
through the city. 1t was agreed that the
task should be intrusted to mat one OF
their number who should draw a red ballot.
Whoever was thus chosen was pledged not
to disclose the fact, even to his fellow
conspirators. To make 1t absolutely sure
that the plot would not be defeated at the
last moment by accident or cowardice. eight
red ballots instead OF one were placed In
the box from which they drew, unknown
TO the conspirators themselves, and eight
determined men regarded themselves as
thus chosen, by high destiny, to rid the
country of an Infamous tyrant. So they
professed to believe. and their plans for
the assassination were perfected to the
smallest detail. The hour of the Presidents
the line of march to be followed by his car
riage across the city had been announced.
In case there should be any cnange IN the
the various Northern cities passed through
by the presidential party. were ready to
apprise them Of the fact. There would
Calvert-street Station when Mr.. Lincoln ar
rived, and it was a matter OF common
knowledge that the Baltimore chief OF po-
lice. George p. Kane. was in sympathy
with the conspirators and had omised
to send only a small force OF policemen to
the station. and to furnish no police escort
the President should leave the train a gang
Of roughs were to start a fight a few hum
dred yards away, and this would serve as
a pretext for the police force to absent
themselves for a few minutes. During this
time the crowd would close ar AROUND iost,; tine
them, and in the confusion some one OF
the conspirators would strike the deadly
left free to accomplish the murder either
with dagger or pistol. as he saw fit. 49,
Meanwhile Mr.. Lincoln and his friends,
were speeding eastward 0rom Harrisburg
to Philadelphia in a ~darkened car. no stop
being made until they reached Downing
ali the party except Mr.. Lincoln left the
car for lunch, the President remaining
alone in the shadows until his friends re,
roll. Again the train started and proceeded
without incident to philadelphia, where
station, shortly after 10 o'clock. by Allan
Pinkerton. with a closed carriage. On the
seat beside the driver was n F. Kenneyy,
mington & Baltimore railroad, who had
given orders to the conductor, John Litzen-
burg Of the 100 p, m n train for Washing
portant package he would deliver into his
hands personally.
party, including the President, Mr.. Lamon
and Allan Pinkerton, took seats inside the
carriage and were driven down Market
street as far as Nineteenth, then up that
there to Seventeenth street, the carriage
moving slowly. The idea of these man
be following them off the track, and also
to fill up the time between the time be-
soee,al tire from train Harrisb wqplf had START Arrived as sooa ses
than was expected. When the carriage
drew near the railroad station Mr.. Ken
nsy Instructed sv 3 narr tns e aTiysr street to Pro 90
that the party might be in the shadow of
the yard fence when they alighted. AS
sprang to the ground and led the way
through tie yards to the train they were
to take. which was being held for orders.
engagements was now seen; for, while they
were hurrying over the tracks, they were
met by William Stearns. the master ma
chinist of the Philadelphia. Wilmington &
Baltimore railroad, who whispered to the
detective the reassuring words: al is
right" By previous arrangements made
by Allan Pinkerton's famous woman de-
~tective, Kate Warn, three sections had been
secured for the party in the sleeping car
at the rear end of the train. and it had
also been arranged that the rear door of
this car should be left open for the con-
v~enience of an invalid, who would be able
to reach his berth more quietly. The porter
in charge OF the sleeping car, who made
this unusual concession, was named Knox;
and 1t was In a great measure due to his
intelligence and care that Mr.. Lincoln was
able to board the train and make the
journey to Washington without any one out
side the immediate party suspecting his
presence.
Once in his berth the President never
showed his face until the following morn
ing: Not even the conductor saw him.. for
planning that his friend must not be dis
turbed. Guarding Mr.. Lincoln on either
side, and never closing their eyes through
that anxious night, were George H. Bangs
and Mrs. Kate Warn. two of Pinkerton's
most trusted detectives. who were supposed
by the train hands and passengers to be
members of an ordinary family pa rfv