The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-22

make a thorough investigation. but after
| making IL he decided that George S. f.
vaughan was guilty of the offense charged
against him, and that he must die. Hem
derson begged, argued and pleaded with
him, but the Secretary of War turned A
dear ear TO his entreaties and refused to
De convinced by his arguments. Vaughan
haa been guilty of acting as a spy, he
SAID, and the Judgment of the court mar
tial must stand. Finding stanton immov-
able, Senator Henderson determined to
carry the matter to President Lincoln. The
president heard him through patiently.
ana, after looking carefully over the pa
pers IN the case, sent word to Stanton that
ne must order new trial for Vaughan
Inc secretary issued the necessary orders.
ana vaughan was again tried In St Louis
ana again sentenced TO be shot. on learn
ing the result of this second trial Senator
henderson again took up the case. He
went TO stanton with another plea for
Naughan's life. a stormy scene In which
Stanley declared that he would not ex-
change vaughan for any ten prisoners the
Confederates held and that he must die
Followed. For the second time Hender-
son carried the case up to the President.
ana Tor the second time Lincoln took such
action that Vaughan was given another
tflal. This third trial occurred at Alton.
IN, wlther Vaughan had been removed
following the second sentence, and result
ed IN his being found guilty for the third
time vaughan then gave up all hope and
decided that he must die. But Senator
Henderson's blood was up, and he decided
70 make last attempt TO save him. He
went directly to the President, told him
OF the personal interest he had In the case.
called attention TO the fact that the war
was practically over, and urged him as a
matter of public policy as well as a mat
ter IN which he henderson, was person.
ally interested, to pardon Vaughan. The
President, after hearing him through,
said:
senator, you go over TO Stanton's and
tell him | said this man must be released"
But, Mr. President" Senator Hender-
son protested, Il have been TO Stanton
twice and / know he won't do IT,"
you so and tell Stanton what tell
you. and l believe he will do IT," replied
Lincoln; and" he added, IF he does not
come back here again.
Henderson went over to the war DEPART
ment' and there followed precisely what
he had predicted. Stanton lost his temper
and the two men parted, both of them an
cry.
Senator Henderson was In deadly earn
est now, however. and after eating his
supper he went direct TO the White House
II was the evening of April II, 1866, a black
letter day in American history. The Presi-
dent had his coat on and was almost ready
TO go to the theater when Senator Hender-
son was shown into his office. He related
III few words what had happened Lin
coin thought pensively a few moments and
then turned TO his desk, picked up a pen,
wrote few lines on sheet of official pa
per- and handed 1t to him, remarIkine as
he did so:
Il guess that'll stand little over Stan
ton"
IL was an order for the immediate and
unconditional release Of George s. e.
Vaughan, and It was the last official pa
per that he ever signed. An hour later
he was assassinated in the old Ford
theater.
Mr.. Vaughan Is now rs years old. He
has lived in Maryville twenty-seven wears
He is the Oldest Mason In Northwest Mis-
souri, he having Joined Canton Lodge. No.
100. ffty-two yeare ago.