The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-30

February q. 1860. as a spy. While in the
prison. Or. Boots was fully cognizant of
the efforts made by Booth. who was capt.
Bealls roommate at college and his de-
voted friend, and by Governor Andrews
Of Massachusetts,, and others, TO save
Capt. Bealrs life. after the plans fall
ed" DR.. Foote says. Booth hurried to
Washington and on his knees implored
President Lincoln and Secretary Seward
to pardon, or at least, respite Beal. LIN
coin promised 20 respite him. but that
night no ordered his execution DIT.
Foote's statement continues:
This order was executed and Beall
was hanged within thirty yards Of my
window and inside Fort Columbus.
Booth, for what he termed the per-
hdy Of President Lincoln toward HIM
self and friend Beall, at once swore 10
avenGe his friends death by killing both
Lincoln and Seward. lie did not intend
TO shoot Lincoln I'm the theatre, hut the
contemplated opportunity did not offer
itself elsewhere.
"The war had nothing 10 do with the
assassination OF the President. IL was due
simply and solely 20 revenge. intensified
by Booth's love and admiration for his
friend.
Booth went TO New York the morning
Of Bealls execution, and. being 80 griev-
ously disappointed at what had occurred
he became measurably an insane man.
/ had not the least idea Of Booths plan
TO assassinate the President. This plan
was known only 20 one man. and, to him
Booth revealed 70 only an houi$ before
the assassination. The man 10 whom
he thus conndcd his purpose, begged MN
not TO carry 81 out. and finding that Boom
was not TO be turned from his revenge,
left tho city before the h0rrid tragedy
occurred"
The story g. not now 20 US. We heard
IL first many years ago, from N,I-
known citizen of Richmond, now de-
ceased who gave some details not men-
toned in DR.. Foote' paper, but enJoihea
strict silence upon us with regard to inc
whole matter, for the reason. as he eN-
planned. that persons who were deeply
concerned On 70. a young lady among
them. were stiIl living. and the publica-
ton OF tho story would cause them need
less pain and embarrassment, without
probably efecting any better purpose
AS so much ol the story has been pup
lished. however. we feel at liberty to add
only one or two circumstances "Hlcn
were told 10 us. az we recall them.
ono was that the special reason why
Governor Andrews "and others in au-
NuUlAlN so N|NlllIN lIANtt N''f't 'tt'.tt.'Ht
I'm support OF Booths efforts in his
friends behalf was that Booth was en-
gagged 10 Doe married To- the daughter NJ
a Senator from one OF the New England
States. and that 10 was mainly due 20
the interccssiOn and influence OF this Sem
ator that Alr. Lincoln finally promised
TO respite the unfortunate prisoner and
perhaps. issued am order accordingly. The
change I'm his purpose 70 was added was
brought about boy Nlr. Seward. who made
such Representations to his chief as TO
the effect Of his lonlency on the popular
mind. as 10 induce him 70 order the exc
cution before further efforts could be
made to prevent &c. The effect ~ the
killing of his friend under these circum-
stances. as s. also said by Or. F0ote. was
70 drive Booth 20 desperation. and la de-
termined upon deadly measure on re-
venge. which &c is worth noting, included
Mr.. seward with Mr.. Lincoln sas its es-
pecial objects No other adequate eVpla'
nation has ever been offered. We believe.