Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-11

ton. he stopped in Baltimore, called at my
fathers to see me, but I was in the coun-
try. So. he left a letter for me-, and
found that he desired to try it once more,
and, if unsuccessful, to forever abandon
it. AS requested, I called at Barnum's
Hotel, but found he had departed. I,
therefore concluded that he had gone to
Washington. which caused the penninE of
the communication Of March 9th, which
proved so fatal in its bearings in my re-
spective case.
The motive of the letter was to prevent,
If possible, his undertaking. Whether he
left this letter in his trunk to betray me,
in my innocence, into the hands of the
government. through malice or fOrgetful-
ness, cannot fathom, nevertheless it ac-
complishcd its end. and from this fact was
forced to become a witness against my
self.
The trip with O'Laughlin to Washington
to get money from Booth owing O'Laugh-
lin. is dealt with at length. He says: 1--WE
had IN Interview with Booth at the Ma
ticna Hotel, and tbs scheme was entirely
abandoned. During the conversation Booth
Informed us that he had learned through
Lewis ]. Weichman, with whom he was
OH the most friendly terms. and from
whom he derived all information relating
to the number of prisoners held by the
Cnltei States government, that John II.
Surratt had accompanied a lady to Rich
1nond,. owing to the capture OF the person
by the United States authorities who had
been IN the habit of fcrrying parties
across the river and it was through this
circumstance alone that the services Of
Surratt were offered.
HAD HE BUT DONE so.
Among the last words uttered by Booth
hot rocin, hot In ;,,f1 yf1Sf n
returning to his profession upon the stage
| and that he had given up forever his prof.
ect. This was the last Interview I ever
had had, and the last time / ever met linn,
ard have never seen or heard from him
since. OF all the others connected with the
affair l never saw nor heard from any
afte" March 18th. 1865, excepting Atzerodt,
whom L accidentally ran upon March ;1st,
on my visit to Washington.
After dealing with his securing work at
Old Point Comfort, Mr.. Arnold tells OF
the receipt of the news CT Linceln's as
sassination in the following words:
On the 18th of April, 1865, about L.
O'Clock noon, whilst seated in the count
ing rooms al MIR. Whartons, ct Old Point
| Comfort Va, it became Iumored that
! ABB aham Lincoln had been assassinated
the evening preceding. whist walking
along Pennsylvania avenue. III Washing
ton. The name OF the person perpetrat-
ing the deed was unknow. In fact, the
report was SO vague that but few persons
credited il. Towards evening, ether dis
! patches arriving announced the assassina
ton Of Mr.. Seward and ether officials of
the government. The greatest excitement
prevailed.
1t was not until the following day that
any clue had been obtained to the person
who had committed the deed. when the
public mind became gradually impressed
with the idea tina. John W. Booth was
the guilty hand that had struck the blow.
This news startled me. feeling assured
that my former connection and intimacy
with Booth would lead to my arrest. and
to be even suspected I felt was almost
equivalent to death.
Had I been differently situated, or been
where l felt that the law would have pro-
tectcd me, 1 would have surrendered my
self Gn my entire innocence), into the
hands of the government. bur, as it was,
l determined to let affairs pursue their
own course, and quietly as possible, To my
minds excited condition, await my arrest.
TWO DETECTIVES ARRIVE.
On April 18th. whilst seated in the store,
two government detectives arrived and in
| uuired for me. I went from the office and
met them, when a letter was handed me
by one of them. purportiEg to have been
sent from my father. in which it was
stated that communication written TO
John Wilkes Booth, March 9th had been
found within Booths trunk, which seemed
to connect me III some way witt, the coed
committed and advising me to state all
knew concerning it.
! After perusing it, the detectives asked
whether intended to comply with the re-
quest of my father. | stated yes, and
told them that 1 knew nothing concerning
it, nor was ! at any time in any manner
connected with Booth or others. 1t be-
came necessary for Booths betrayal OF
me (no matter whether it enanatcd from
malice or focgetfuness), to become wit
ness against myself, and / was forced to
acknowledge that had been at one I;erlod
engaged With Booth III q scheme to at
tempt the abduction Of Abraham Lincoln.
but that l was totally disconnected with
him or any other persons at this period
in any unlawful undertaking.
I was then asked by the detectives II
the communication found in Booths trunk
was written by me. I desired to be inform
ed of some of it's contents or expressions,
where headed from and when dated. They
gave me the desired informat!on-where
dated from and how signed-when, with
out hesitation or denial. acknowledged
it was penned by me. I did not deny writ
ing it, as sworn by Horner, when Wit