The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-04

found It out and entered so strong a pro.
test that MIR. Lincoln changed his mind
but did not notify Booth, who was great
| " shocked md highly Indignant when ht
heard that his friend had been executed,
and regarding the presidents conduct in
the case az betrayal Of his personal
friendship and confidence. began at once
| without seeking or waiting for an explana-
| ton. 10 form a plan which eliminated In
his assassination Of one of the wisest and
| best presidents this Republic ever had.
| Having accomplished his purpose, and
the authorities at Washington believing
him dead. Booth worked his way South.
| entering Texas at a point where the Sabine
river is the line between this State and
(, Louisiana.
There he learned that there was a man
In the neighborhood who had killed ono
| of his relatives during the war between
| the two mobs known as the Regulators"
and the "Moderators." Booth stayed in the
neighborhood until he got the man located,
when he rushed on him and killed him,
and then made his way into Western Texas.
| He spent about week with his cousin.
who then lived in Brown county. and while
| there made a speech to crowd Of men
| who had assembled to build an arbor for a
| Methodist campmeetlng at the mouth OF
| Hog creek. on Pecan bayou
| When l asked him where Booth was no
said he did not know. but thought he was
| in Australia.
Some weeks after | stopped with some
friends of mine and was telling thom the
story as told me by the old man. with
whom they too were well acquainted.
While was relating 1t | noticed the man
and his wife exchanging significant
glances and when / had finished the lady.
addressing her husband. said: Shall 1
tell it?" The husband replied: Certainly;
he knows that much. tell IT, all" She then
said that they know Booth had not been
killed. but had not told 1t for reason that
is plain TO those who read this story and
that Will also explain why | withhold
names In giving this TO the public. TO be-
gin with, 30 the lady said. Booth was an
assumed name. His real name was Scot
lio enlisted in the Confederate army as
lieutenant in regiment OF Missouri cav
airy. His proud spirit and stubborn Will
soon got bin into trouble with his supe-
riors and he Was court -martialed for in
subordnation and found guilty. but rather
than submit TO tho sentence passed upon
him ran away. But when he left ,llome no
was engaged to be married to MY lady In
formant who by this means was kept
posted in regard TO his locality. his new
name of Booth and his taking to the stage.
Lame from the injury he received the
night of the assassination. he made his
way 10 the home OF his betro,hed having
provided himself with suit In which Pc
expected to be married. But the lady said
NO" She could forgive him for deserving
the Confederate army inasmuoh as the act
was not prompted by cowardice or treason.
but the murder OF MIR. Lincoln she could
not pardon or condonc.
She 10 ono Of the pureat and best Of true
Southern women and her husband ono OF
tho best OF ex Confederate soldiers.
This lady further told me that while
Booth (alias Scott was at her fathers |
house the papers were filled with the trial |
Of Mrs. surratt. and the man was almost |
prazed because OF II. He declared that
Mrs. Surratt knew nothing OF the con- |
spiracy to take Mr. Lipcoln's life. and II
here was a shadow Of hone of saving
hat innocent woman's life be would cheer
July 80 to Washington and give himself
Ip to die.
Admitting the statements Of this man
md this woman 10 be true. and from my
personal knowledge Of them ! can not
loubt what they say. Booth II still alive
With the blood OF at least one other man
u him besides that Of Mr.. Lincoln, while