The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-10-04
Abraham Lincoln's Last Official Act


Abraham Lincoln's Last Official Act.
Saturday, August 26, at Maryville,
Mo occurred the death If George S.
E. Vaughn, who bore the distin ,tion
of having been the subject Of Abraham
Liucola's last official act.
Before the Civil War, Vaughn and
his family, consisting Of himself, wife
and several children, lived in Canton,
Mo-, where they we're among tho most
respected citizens Of that Mississippi
River town. He was intimately ac-
quainted with Martin f. Green, a
brother of United States Senator
James s. Green, both of whom were
characterized at that period by their
pro.slaverery views. AT the opening
of the Civil War. Martin f. Green re-
cruited regiment of Southern sym
psthizers and received a colonel 8
commission from the Confederate
Government. George Vaughn enlist
cd under Green's command and fought
through the whole period of the war.
After period Of fighting activity
Green and Vaughn crossed over into
Mississippi and Tennessee, camping
at Tupolo, Miss. Not having heard
from his family of the progress Of af.
fairs in Missouri, Green was naturally
anxious to hear from his old home, and
delegated Vaughn to go on the perilous
mission Of delivering letters to his
wife and friends in Northeast Missou-
ri. Vaughn had almost completed
his surreptitious trip, having reached
La Grange, six miles cast Of Canton,
his destination, when he was captured
by squad Of Federal troops.
They searched his person, and, find
ing letters and other papers concealed
about him, he was tried as spy and
sentenced to be shot. John B. Hen
derson, then Senator from Missouri,
was iinportuned by Vaughn brother,
Il soldier in the Union army, to cndea-
vor to secure his brothers pardon.
Henderson worked assidiously on the
case, finally succeeding in getting
an order from the President for re-
trial, but the verdict remained as
hitherto. Again Henderson appealed
to President Lincoln, who granted a
third trial; but again the result was
the same as in the two preceding hear
Jugs.
Notwithstanding these results.
Henderson was not disconnected, and
again went to Lincoln. 1t was on tho
afternoon Of April II, lS65-a mclan-
choiy date in American history that
tho Senator called ut the White
House. He called the attention Of
Lincoln to the fact that the war was
practically closed, and, concluding,
said: "Mr. Lincoln, this pardon should
be granted in the interest of peace and
conciliation.
Mr.. Lincoln replied: Very we'll,
Senator, / agree with you. G over to
Stanton and tell him that this man
must be released
But, Mr.. President protested
Henderson, II have gone twice to
Stanton about this matter, and he will
have nothing to do with it.
III you go and tell Stanton what
tell you, | am sure he will do it, said
Lincoln,. "but if he doesn't, come
back here
Henderson acted upon Lincoln 5
suggestion, and went to the Office Of
the Secretary Of War. Stanton's i'm
petnosity evinccd itsolf; he became
violently angry, and sworc that he
would permit no such procedure
Vaughn had but two more day. to
live, according to his sentence. and
Henderson fastened 70 mako one more
stand for the Missourian's life. AZ
ter supper hc went to the White
House. The President was in his Of
fee: dressed to go to Ford's Theatre,
when the Senator entered and told of
the meeting he had had with Stanton.
Lincoln for few minutes rclapscd
into study, then turned to bis desk
and wrote few lines on an official
sheet Of paper. AS he handed it to
Senator Henderson, he remarked: 81
think that will have precedence over
Stanton. It was an order for uncon-
ditional release and pardon-thc last
official paper ever signed by Abraham
Lincoln, for an hour after he was as
sassinatcd in Ford's Thcater by John
Willie Rootb II II Nnp.r.~.