The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1899-05-18
HOUSE IN WHICH. LINCOLN DIED.

HOUSE IN WHICH LINCOLN DIED. e
justice. One of those fables was to tho
effect that he was many years after
wards q preacher in Monumental
church at Richmond. Va.
The houses in which the assassina-
ton was planned and in which Lincoln
died are still standing in Washington,
and their pictures arc herewith pre-
sented. The assassination was planned
in boarding house kept by Mrs. Sur
ratt, and she was hanged with the cap
tured ccnspirators.
Concerning the guilt Of Mrs. Surratts
the writer has always entertained
doubts. Nevertheless, public indigna-
tion was so high, and every mind was 50
infiamed with desire for complete
vengeance, that the woman suffered
with those who were certainly guilty.
Father Walter. OF st. Patrick Catholic
church, received the confession Of Mrs.
Surratt before her death. As q priest
he declined to give evidence concerning
her confession. Nevertheless, az man,
he always expressed bis belief in her in-
nocence. Knowing Father Walter very
well, and having heard him personally
express his belief in her innocence. the
writer has always inclined to that be-
lief.
Many of the stories about John
Wilkes Booth are very absurd, says Mr..
Louis Dietrich, an old WashingtOnian.
II have heard people throughout the
country say that Booth was never
killed or captured and that the body
which was brought to Washington was
dummy. have seen such statements
in the papers, as though the writer's be-
lieved the nonsense about which they
write. But can tell you thatI was one
Of the very few who actually did see
and touch the dead body 0f the MUIR
derer Of Abraham Lincoln.
.'When his body was broL ght here on
a gunboat | wanted to see him; but i
was almost impossible to get chance.
/ thought Of all schemes to set on board
and at last went to my friend, DIR. Told,
Of the army, and asked him how !
should get to see the body. He said:
We are to make post-mOrtenl exami-
come to the boat and tell the gueftls
that you have message for me. will
be on board and will tell them to send
you to me as i am expecting you. ibid
SO and was admitted.
"Just before the post Iportem ex-
animation DIR. Todd lifted the big tar-
paulin that was laid over the body On
the upper deck, and showed me the lace
of the dead man. 1t was calm and peace-
full as baby's, and it was John WiIkes
Booth. 1t is all nonsense to say that he
was not there. ] saw him and touched
his head. It was cold and dead; and Il
was Booth. ] know what ! know, and (
saw Booth lying there. The gunboat
was anchored between the arsenal and
the navy yard, but nearer the yard thA1i
the arsenal.
Among other absurd stories told
about Booth was one to the effect that
his body had been sunk in the eastern
branch of the Potomac. at midnight
and that no one knew where it wxs.
That was false as everything else they
told. His body was buried In the old
penitentiary ground, where the arsenal
now is, together with those Of the other
| conspirators, Harold, Payne, Mrs.
Surratt and Atzerodt. There the body
laid for ten years, until it was finally
disinterred and carried to Baltimcre
and buried beside that Of his fat1eS A.
the family burying ground. z
SMITH p. FRY.