The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-05-09
AIDED WILKES BOOTH
THOMAS JONES, THE MAN WHO
SHIELDED LlNCoLN'S MURDERER.

THOMAS JONES, THE MAN WHO
SHIELDED LINcoLN'S MURDERER.
Kept Him In Hiding Six Days and Helped
: Him 10 Reach virginiA-Ths Reward Of
o3OO.OOO offered by the Government
Had Not the Power to Move Him.
There died in Charles county, Nd,
not long ago Thomas A. Jones, at the
age Of "a. Jones held position in the
Washington navy yard, but was dis
missed through the influence Of Con-
gresham Mudd Of Maryland, who had
informed the secretary Of the navy that
Jones had played prominent part in
the escape Of John Wilkes Booth, the
assassin Of President Lincoln.
Its quite true," admitted Jones at
the time of his dismissal. "John Wilkes
Booth, with a broken ankle, sick and
suffering the tortures Of the damned,
was placed in my hands to be spirited
across the river, and the $500. 600 re-
ward, or even $4,000, 600, would not
have caused me to turn traitor to the
southern Confederacy, the people l
loved, and surrender a man whose life
was in my keeping, even II I did know
he had assassinated President Lincoln. I"
Jones afterward told how Booth came
into his hands. 1T was on the morning
Of the 18th Of April" he said, when
friends of Samuel Cox came to my
house on Huckleberry farm, Maryland,
and tcld ne that Cox wanted to see me
at once. had heard the evening before
that Lincoln had been killed. I had a
horse saddled and rode over to Cox 8,
who told me that Booth and David
Herold had been there and wanted as
sistance to get across the river. Twas
told where the men were-in q pine
thicket about q mile and half from
the house.
II was given instructions how to
reach them without being shot-oertain
signs by whistling. etc. Upon reaching
the dense pines met Herold, to whom
! explained that was sent by Cox.
was then piloted to where Booth was.
He lay on the ground wrapped in pile
of blankets, and his face bore traces OF
pain. Booth asked many questions as to
what people thought Of the assassina-
tion. He appeared to be proud Of what
he had done. at the time thought he
had done q good act. but, great God,
soon saw that it was the worst blow
ever struck for the southi
II did the best could for the poor
fellow. carried him papers to read and
something to eat and tried to keep him
in good spirits until got chance te
send him across the river. The'country
was full of soldiers and detectives, and
did not know how soon I>could get him
away.
II think it was the following Tuesday
/ went up to Port Tobacco to see how
the land lay, and it was there, in tht
barroom of Brawner's hotel, that Cap
tain William Williams, chief OF thu
United States secret service, said h
would give $500, 900 to any man wh'
would tell where Booth was"
That's true," admitted Captain
Williams at the time of the above inter
view, "and he would have been Genera
Jones instead Of discharged employees
from the navy yard if he had given tn
information.
II did the best could for Booth ant
Herold," continued Jones. II did no
know them, but when Cox put them i,
my keeping nothing would have tempt
ed me to betray them. l could hav
placed my hands on Booth, but homo
and truth were worth more to me thai
the entire wealth Of the government.
''At the expiration of the sixth day
heard the officers give orders for tn
cavalry to 60 down in St Mary's coun
ty; that the assassins were there Tha
was my chance, and made good tim
to where Booth and Herold were con
cealed. Booth was glad to know that hi
time to get into Virginia had come.
1.-THE night was dark, and Herold an
lifted Booth on to my horse Our prog
ress was slow. We finally reached m
house, and went in to get them some
thing to eat. We then proceeded to tn
river. Booth was lifted into the boa
and was placed in the stern, while Hel
old took the oars. then lighted q car
die and showed Booth by his compas
how to steer to get into Machodoc cree
and gave him directions to Mrs. Queser
berry's, who, thought, would tax
care Of him. That was the last saw {
Booth.
when notices were posted up ths
to furnish bread or water to Boot
meant DEATH" went ON Jones, II fe
pretty shaky. knew that Booth ha
hit the Virginia shore. was arreste
and taken to Washington, where wa
held for seven weeks. Then was di'
charged because nobody believed kne'
anything. New York World.
Doctor Galapius.
Set up on the corner of house, at Il