The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-11

at the National Hotel, and the scheme
was entirely abandoned. During the
conversation Booth informed us that
he had learned through Lewis j.
Weichman, with whom he was on the
most friendly terms and from whom he
derived all information relating to the
number of prisoners held by the Unit
ed States government, that John H.
Surratt had accompanied a lady to
Richmond, owing to the capture of the
person by the United States authorities
who had been in the habit of ferrying
parties across the river, and 1t was
through this circumstance alone that
the services were offered.
HAD HE BUT DONE so.
Among the last words uttered by
Booth on that occasion were that he
intended returning to his profession up
on the stage and that he had given up
forever his project. This was the last
interview I ever had and the last time
I ever met him and l have never seen
nor heard from him since. OF all the
others connected with the affair ! new
er saw nor heard from any after March
II, 1865, excepting At2erodt, whom l ac-
cidentally ran upon March 81, on my
visit to Washington.
After dealing with his securing work
at Old Point Comfort, Mr.. Arnold tells
of the receipt of the news of Lincoln's
assassination in the following words
On the 18th of April, 1865, about y
o'clock noon, whilst seated in the
countingrooms at Mr.. Wharton's, at
Old Point Comfort, Va, it became ru-
mored that Abraham Lincoln had been
assassinated the evening preceding,
whilst walking along Pennsylvania
avenue, in Washington. The name of
| the person perpetrating the deed was
unknown, in fact, the report was so
vague that but few persons credited it,
| Towards evening, other dispatches ar
irving announced the sassination of
| Mr. Seward and other 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,
I when the public mind became gradual
| Iy impressed with the idea that John
W. Booth was the guilty hand that
struck the blow. This news startled
me, feeling assured that my former con-
nection and intimacy with Booth would
lead to my arrest and to be even sus-
pected I felt was almost equivalent to
death.
Had I been differently situated, or
been where I felt that the law would
have protected me, I would have sur
rendered myself lin my entire inno-
cence) into the hands of the govern
ment; but, as it was, l determined to
let affairs pursue their own course, and
quietly as possible, to my minds ex-
cited condition, await my arrest.
TWO DETECTIVES ARRIVE.
On April II, whilst seated in the
store, two government detectives arriv-
ed and inquired for me- l went from
the office and met them, when a letter
was handed me by one of them, pur-
porting to have been sent from my
father in which it was stated that a
communication written to John Wilkes
Booth. March 27, had been found within
Booths trunk which seemed to con-
meet me in some way with the deco
committed and advising me to state al
I knew concerning it,
After perusing it, the detectives ask
ed whether I intended to comply will
the request of my father. | stated yes
and told them that | knew nothing
concerning it, nor was I at any time il
any manner connected with Booth o
Others 1t became necessary from
Booths betrayal of me mo matte
, | uybn from malice
forgetfulness) to become witnes
against myself, and I was forced t
> acknowledge that | had been at on
E period engaged with Booth in a schem
, to attempt the abduction of Abraham
I Lincoln, but thar I was totally discon
r nected with him or any other person
, at this period in any unlawful under
taking.
I 1 was then asked by the detectives
, the communication found in Booth
| trunk was written by me. I desired
I be informed of some of its contents o
= expressions, where headed from an
| when dated. They gave me the desir
ed informa tion-where dated from an
= how signed-when, without hesitatio
or denial, l acknowledged lit wa
< penned by me. l did not deny writin
q it, as sworn by Horner, when wit
= ness on the stand, neither could it b
. expected that acknowledgment woul
be made to a communication before il
: contents were in a measure mad
known, as it was just as likely to haV
= been written by someone else as my
2 self.
Q OTHER NAMES MENTIONED.
h The detectives were the first to ner