The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-11-10
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he had fallen in with certain shrewd
but not over scrupulous members of
the federal secret service, who, taking
their cue from his constant and often
unguarded lamentations over his
losses, told him that the southern
forces stood in pressing need of qui-
nine and Of percussion caps, and would
pay handsomely for the same; that it
was an easy matter to trade through
the lines, and that if he would under
take to supply these wants he could
speedily and with comparative safety
repair his sudden losses. The poor
man had fallen an easy victim to his
tormentors but had been arrested
with the contraband articles in his
possession, tried by a military court,
and condemned to death He is to
be shot day after tomorrow" Mr. Bull
lit concluded, land we have come to
you, knowing you will help us if you
can. We do not know what else to
do, nor in fact whether you can do
anything. Before leaving home we got
some papers signed by those who
know Father Luckett and are familiar
with his condition"
SO saying, he handed me a number
OF written statements, which con-
hrmed his own. For a moment 1 was
at loss what to do. 1t was then late
in the afternoon, and within forty
eight hours the poor old man was to
ole. Knew that to appeal to Secre-
tary stanton for a mitigation of the
sentence would be worse than useless.
Freslaent Lincoln was our only hope.
fortunately, l knew him we'll We
had often met in the courts, and both
as lawyer and president he had
always treated me with unfailing
kindness and consideration. Still 7
was IN doubt as to the best method of
approaching him. The offence commit
ted by the aged minister was of the
eraVest character, and l was persuaded
that the President would not interfere
unless manifest and proper reasons for
clemency We're shown him. Henry 6
Lane and Thomas A. HendricLs tbe,,
represented Indiana in the Senate. and
l resolved to enlist their aid in Mr..
Luckett's behalf. I had studied law
IN the office of Colonel Lane. and we
mad been warm friends for many wears
L therefore fastened to call upon him
at his hotel When [ made known NV
errand, however he interrupted me
with much warmth, and said that if
Mr.. Luckett had been supplying the
repeis with ammunition and quinine,
under no circumstance would he infer
fere to save his life. Knowing are1,-
ment to be useless, [ babe him good
evening and at once sought our Mr.
hendricks. [ had intended to ask the
latter to go with Colonel Lane to the
president, but was now forced to en-
treat him to go without his colleague.
MI. Hendricks listened to my story
ana at ats conclusion promptly affirmed
us Willingness to accompany me to
the president on our errand of mercy.
1t was quickly arranged that i should
can Tor him the next morning after
which I made my way to the LODGINGS
OF colonel William r. Morrison, then a
member OF the House from illinois.
Ihough a Democrat, I knew that
Colonel Morrison was held in high re-
gard by the president He responded
promptly and without the slightest
hesitation to my appeal.
Inc evening was now far advanced
ana, believing that had done all that
couid be done until the morrow. I
turned my steps homeward Some
effand, the nature of which | have now
forgotten, caused me to pause for a
Few moments in the office of the Metro
poiltan hotel, and there, to my sur
prise, again came face to face with
colonel Lane. He drew me aside and
SAID that he had been looking for me
Tor some time. He had mentioned the
Luckett case to his wife at dinner. and
mad been thinking of it since. II do
not feel satisfied said he land if YOU
VIII VIII come with me to my room we will
tax the matter over" When we
reached his room, he carefully ex
amined the papers Mr.. Bullftt had
given me, and declared with emphasis
that he would join in an appeal to the
president for clemency.
Two carriages, containing our partv
Of six, drove up to the White House
entrance at 10 o'clock the next morn
ing. Senators Lane and Hendricks. and
Colonel Morrison were in one carriage
and Mr.. and Mrs. Bulitt and myself
IN the other. The president received US
without delay Senator Lane who had
been selected as spokesman of the
party, briefly but feelingly explained
the occasion of our call. When he had
finished. there was an awkward pause
and then Mrs. Bullitt, addressing the
president as Mr.. Lincoln" broke in
with an earnest and moving appeal for
her fathers life. Until this time the
president had listened patiently, but
without apparent feeling to our ap-
peals. Now, however he turned quick
ly to Senator Lane and INQUIRED:
Lane, what did you say this mans
name was?"
''Luckett," replied the senator.
Not Henry NJ. Luckett?" asked the
president.
Yes" Mrs. Bullitt broke in. MY
fathers name is Henry M. Luckett."
Didn't he preach in Springville years
ago." asked Mr.. Lincoln, a look of the
keenest interest now animating his SAD
and rugged face.
Yes, my father once preached in
Springville.' was Mrs. Bullitt's reply.
well, this is wonderful" Mr.. Lincoln
went on. u knew this man well, and
have often heard him preach. He is
tall and dark like [ am, and l have
been mistaken for him on the street.
And he is to be shot day after tomor-
row? No, no. There will be no shoot
ing nor hanging in this case There
must be something wrong with him,
or he would not be in such a scrape as
this I do not know what more l can
do for him, but you can rest assured,
my child" turning to Mrs. Bullitt,
that your fathers life is SAFE
He touched a bell on the table and a
telegraph operator appeared from an
room. To him Mr. Lincoln
a dispatch to General Hurl-
burt, directing him to suspend the
execution of Henry nj T,lJckett and