The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-20

never was any COHnSCllOu DttWcch
Booth and the Confederate authorities.
was in Booths confidence. and had any
thing existed as such he would have made
known the fact TO me. Besides, such
Quixotic scheme would have been laughed
at by them had 1t been possible for Booth
to obtained audience with them, and he
would have been dismissed from their pres
ence, and in all probability been overlooked
as an insane man. The scheme originated
In Booths own visionary mind: he became
a monomaniac on the success of the Con-
federate arms, condition which generally
follows when a mans thoughts are con-
stantly centered upon one subject alone.
HIS last act was the act of madman
and am convinced that he did il in mo-
ment of temporary insanity, caused by the
defeat of the Confederate armies and the
cause so dear to his heart lost. This is my
opinion, which cannot be controversial in
this world; its truth or falsity will only be
known in the world to come.
The men by whom he had been sur
rounded and who had associated them
selves with him were, TO a great extent,
ignorant men. They chung TO him for the
bounty they were receiving at Booths
hand No labor to perform to earn their
living, Booth providing it, and they We're
willing to let ii so continue, hugging with
In themselves the thought that the fast
approaching end of the war would soon
dissolve companionship and terminate the
conspiracy in which they were engaged,
without any bodily harm falling to their
lot
When. in his frenzy, he made known his
design to them fhpy were aptapgled
that retreat was impossible and, even had
they attempted to do so. without surrender
ing themselves to the authorities, their
knowledge alone would have made them
just as guilty before the law as if the blow
had been struck by their own hand
HEROLD WAS BUT A BOY
Herold, mere boy, acting in the role of
pilot, steering Booth through the country,
taking no part in the murder itself,
thought. in his ignorance of the law that
he would not be reached. Atzerodt of same
mold, thought the same when he fed, fall
ing to execute the part assigned him to be
performed by Booth, ignorant of the fact
that before the law he was just as guilty
as Booth, who committed the deed.
Payne was differently situated. He was
far from his native State i'm strange city
penniless. Booth had for months provided
for him-fo0d, lodging and raiment, and
limited means to meet his daily incidental
expenses. For all these things he could not
be ungrateful; besides, he was subordinate
to Booths stronger mind, who controlled
him in his every movement, and when the
crime to be committed was sprung upon
him he was as bold and fearless as Booth
himself, and tried his best to carry on the
part allotted to him by Booth to perform.
These four men comprised the entire con-
spirators in that crime. No knowledge of
it extended beyond them; according to con-
fessions made by Herold and Atzerodt, it
was first made known at o'clock and ex-
ecuted at 10 o'clock the same evening.
No officials of the Confederate govern
ment had any knowledge in regard to it, al
though it was attempted to be shown by
the military commission that they had,
through many witnesses. Everything went
upon our trial. 1t was fixed in its
entirety, and all were condemned before
being heard. No cross-examination of wit
nesses, their evidence being deep laid
that no opering was left, besides counsel
declined to do so, having no groundwork
left to stand upon, and so that ng-drawn-
out trial, lasting months. daily adding to
the public excitement, grew from mere
molehill TO stupendous structure, reared
and built through perjury.
There was a witness to establish the con-
spiracy from Baltimore, by name William
Spandauer, who finally died in the Mary
land penitentiary. When counsel desired
that he be produced for cross examination
he was nowhere to be found; he had been
spirited away by the prosecution. not. how
ever, before leaving his imprint before the
court
THOSE CIPHER LETTERS.
Cipher letters were found floating in the
water at Morehead City, n. c., unblurred
| by contact with the water, intended nc
doubt to encircle me at Fortress Monroe
with participation in the crime; in fact the
| conspiracy through the government wit
nesses grew to immense proportions, ex.
| tending from the lakes to the gulf, ever
penetrating into Canada, whereas. 1t was
| but the act of four deluded men, dwelling ir
| the city of Washington.
|