The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-04-26
Why Booth Killed Lincoln.

Why Booth Killed Lincoln.
We were much Interested in short
article in the April number Of Wake
Forest Student L: was sent BY George
Anderson Foote, sou of the late Di.
George A. Foote. OF Warrenton, an
honored and highly reputable physician
lately deceased. He first gives an ex-
tract from Appleson's Cyclopedia of
Biography, (wroDgly printed "Biol-
ogy,'D OF the hanging of that very
gallant and meritcrious officer, Cap
tain Johu Young Beall. a native of
Virginia and born 10 1885 and hanged
24:h February 1865. as spy. which
was most Infamous, most Internal. He
was regularly commissioned aud was
acting unders. It was one of the
macy disgraceful acts of the Goths
and Vandais in their war upon sbe
south and literally without any reason
able or just cause A sketch vas found
among Dr.. Foote'S papers who was a
surgeon in confederate army and was
imprisoned in Fort Columbus. New
York harbor. Dr.. Foote'S posthemous
paper is both interesting and informing.
He tells of the efforts made to save Cap
tain Beall's life, by Governor Andrew.
of Massachusetts and others. but in
vain. Dr.. Foote'S cell in which be
was coDfoed vas adjoining Captain
Beall's. Beall and John Wilkes
Booth had been roommates at college
and we're very dear friends. Booth
tried every way to secure Beall's release
from prison, but in vain. An effort
to secure his escape was made in which
Dr.. Foote vas to be party. ln fact
two plans came to naughs.
The interesting point. really of histo.
rio interest. is to follow. Dr.. Foote'S
private memorandum gives statement
that will surprise many, as it did Us.
The common idea is that President
Lincoln vas murdered by John Wilkes
Booth because be was the head of the
northern states and was responsible for
the war upon the south. In other
words that Booth being in intense
sympathy with the south, and being
something daft, had assassiuated the
president on account of bis course 10
The war. After the plans failed Dr..
Foote says Booth hurried to Washing
too and 90 his knees implored President
Lincoln and Secretary Seward to pardon
or at least respite Beall. Lincoln
promised to respite, but that night
ordered his execution. Dr. Foote
says:
'sThis order was executed aud Beall
was hanged within thirty yards of my
windox and inside Fort Columbus, and
not at Jobnson's Island as has been
frequently reported.
Booth, for what be termed the per6dy
of President Lincoln toward himself
and friend Beall. at once swore to
avenge his friends death by killing
both Lincoln aud Seward He did not
intend to shoot Lincoln in the theatre,
but the contemplated opportunity did
not offer itself elsewhere.
But for the fact that Booths spur
caught in the curtain that fatal night
be would have escaped, at least for a
time. The war had nothing to do with
the assassination of the president; it
was due siuply and solely to revenge,
intensified by Booths love and admira-
tion for bis friend.
Booth weot to New York the
morning Of Beall's execution, and being
so grievously disappointed al what
had occurred, he became measurably an
insane man. l had not the least idea
of Booths plan to assassinase the
president. This plan was known only
to one man, aud to him Booth revealed
it only an bour before the assassination.
The map to whom he thus conidsd his
purpose, begged him uot TO carry it
out, and finding that Booth was not to
be turned from his reveege. left the
CITY before the horrid tragedy oc-
Cured"
We we're very intimate with Dr..
Foose for many years. He was our
family physician, and most attentive,
sympathetic and skillful. We always
thought him truthful, honorable and
sincere. We at least believe his
statement without reservation Viii
miogtou Messenger.