Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-12
PASSENGER train near Buffalo. The

one afternoon. while Beall was UNI
ger sentence of death. there alighted
from carriage two men. who walked
into the room occupied by Washington
Mclean. OF the Cincinnati ENQUIRER.
VINO was at that time in Washington in
the interests of his business. The vsi-
tors were Senator Eugene Hale. of New
Hampshire, and John Wilkes Booth.
Booth was anxious to save the life OF
his friend, Beall, and had interested
the senator in his behalf. They impor-
tuned Mclean to go with them TO the
President-as Democrat. as n friend
or Booth, as man who exercised in
nuence over Mr.. Lincoln-and to vouch
with MIR. Hale for any promises that
Booth might make in return for this
great Favor TO him. After n protractcd
interview. Mr.. Mclean decided that the
pest plan would be for him to first write
to the President. begging for Realrs
pardon. Should letter not have ths
desired effect, Mr.. Mclean promised to
intercede personally with Mr.. Lincoln.
Before his visitors left, however. he
advised them to enlist the sympnthjes
of Colonel John W. Forney in Bealrs
behalf.
Booth was not slow in following
the advice. No; being personally ac
quainted with the gallant Colonel he
visited one of the lattcr's friends. Col
onei Lee, an old Washington resident.
Through Colonel Lee and Mr.. Thaddcus
Stevens then the Republican leader Of
PENNSYLVANIA, Colonel Forney was in,
duced 10 address an earnest letter to
his friend, the President implorirc
him TO exercise his clemency for the
convicted man. Several days passed
but neither Colonel Forney's nor Wash
inSton MeLean's letters were answered
The date fixed for the execution was
rapidly approaching and Booth grew
alarmed. Once more. in company with
senator Hale. he knocked at Washing
ton McLean's door. The latter declared,
himself ready to fudcll MS promise. 1t
was an hour or more past midnigh,
when Hale. Mclean and Booth were
driven TO the White House. The guard
al McLean'S request, admitted the car.
rage to the grounds. Mr.. Lincoln was
called from his sleep. and there. in dead
OF night. he sat and listened to the
prayers OF Booth and the Endorsements
or those who came with him TO ask the
favor OF executive clemency. The in
terview lasted until in the morning.
~ was one OF tears, prayer and petition
mere Mas not dry eye in the room
as Booth knelt at the feet of Lincoln.
clasped his knees with his hands and
begged him to spare the life OF n man.
personal friend, who, in serving the
ones he loved. had come to the door
or death. Booth told all. He told how
long before, in fit of passion to do
soine polo deed, he Joined in con-
Splracy TO kidnap the President and TO
hotd him as hostage for the release
OF certain military prisoners who wer.
bootns friends. and who, ii was
tnousht. were to be shot. FIe told or
.he meetings he had held at the
mouse OF Mrs. Surratt, and that all of
mat plan had fallen to the ground be-
l lxg
time, and in any place or capacity. free
OF cost and fearless OF consequences.
The eminent gentlemen who were there
joined with him in the request that
the prayer of Booth be granted, and
that Beall should be pardoned
LINCOLN'S PROMISE.
AT last President Lincoln, with tears
streaming down his face, took Booth
by the hand, bade him rise and stand
like a man. and gave him his promise
that Beall should be pardoned. He
then asked the party to depart that he
might gain rest for the morrow and
said that the official document that
.hey asked should be forwarded at once
10 the United States marshal, Robert
Murray. In New York, and through him
10 the officers charged with the eXecu-
tion or Beall After breakfast next
morning Lincoln informed Seward. Sec.
rotary or State. what he had done. or
pioiiiseu 10 90. Seward said that il
must not be: that public sentiment In
the North demanded that Beall should
De hung. He declared that to pardon
beaii would discourage enlistment.
ichGtnen the war and insult the sem
tiinent that called for blood. He chided
Lincoln Tor making such promises with
out asking the advice of his Cabinet or
auVislnG with himself (Seward) on
State policy. AS the argument grew
warm. seward declared that IL the con.
duct of the war was to be trifled win
oy appeals for humanity, he should 90
out or the Cabinet and use his in
huence against the-PTesident--
should charge him with being I'm sym.
pathy with the South. Lincoln Welded
ana Beall was executed. The reaction
10 Lincoln's nervous system was such
THAT LOT Gays he was far from we'll.
EFFECT ON BOOTH.
me effect on Booth was terrible. He
ra'ed IKE mailman and in his fren
Zy swore that Lincoln and Seward
should both pay for the grief and
agony he had been put to- From tho
death of Beall' Booth brooded over
schemes OF vengeance for that which
ne considered n personal affront. His
rage look in Seward, and he eneopad
IIdroio. AtZerodt and others 10 avenra
beails death by killing Seward. while
ne (Booth) wreaked human vengeance
on the President. At last came the
nour. Booth killed Lincoln HE
TRENDS and the relatives of or ayenp-
ers OF Beall tried their best TO Kill
Seward. but failed.
ms Is the other side OF the story.
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