The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-11

Copyright 1872. by The Sun Printing ind
Publishing Company
CHAPTER ".
During the entire month of February
the project was at a standstill and | sell
dom met Booth For the first time my
situation dawned upon me and began to be
felt deeply.
Here l was without any kind of en-
ployment. wandering from place to place
In my idleness. making frequent visits
to Baltimore, watched. no doubt. and my
footsteps dogge by the Government de-
tectives and spies, who in various ways
sought TO obtain some clue as to my bust.
ness and how engaged. This b came in-
supportable, as felt every eye was watch
Ing my movements. thereby making my
position very insecure
After the Presidential election Booth
worked energetically In the affair, and
had completed all his arrangements, 40 he
Informed OLaughlin and myself He was
always busy and in motion. having very
limited time to hold conversation was
unaware, even at this late date, that there
were any others. beyond those spoken of
before, who we're connected with the
affair
Prisoners were now being exchanged
40 the purpose for which each had bound
himself to the other and for which months
Of labor and time had been expended
had been accomplished. Yet Booth still
insisted upon carrying out the ab luction
Patriotism had converged into heartless
amb ton on his part and | looked upon
him As a mailman. and resolved, il the
proisof sv,anl;I,, toll
my connection with him"
Mr.. Arnold next recites az length. as de-
tailed in his sworn statement in 1887. of
the meeting Of the conspirators at Gotier's
saloon and there meeting for the first time
Lewis Payne, George A. Atzerodt and
David E. Herold, who. with Arnold. Booth,
OLaughlin and Surratt. made up the party
OF conspirators that gathered in the private
parlor of the saloon TO discuss the abduc-
ton.
Arnold says at this point that when Booth
outlined the plans that his audience was
seemingly carried away with his visionary
ideas. Some few remarks OF an objection
able character started a long discussion.
The fact that the suspicious Of the Govern
ment had seemingly been aroused from the
fact that double stockades were being
erected at the bridge crossing the Eastern
Branch. on the Prince Georges side of the
river, which made the undertaking more
difficult, even IL success crowned the efforts
at the theatre. was talked over Arnold
advanced the idea Of the utter impracti-
cability Of the whole plan. He says:
THEY WERE sPELLBouNp BY BOOTH.
Il stood not alone. yet none seemed TO
consider 1t in ito proper light. they being
completely spellbound by the utterancee of
Booth, not looking at the consequences
which would follow. After arguing to great
length. in fact until the subject became ex-
hausted and before any reasonable decision
could be arrived at or rendered. 1t culmi-
mated 10 a very exciting and violent con-
troversy between Booth and myself. the
others silently looking on when Booth, in
his rashnees and madness. finding that he
could not swerve me from my purpose
and firm stand taken in the manner OF its
accomplishment, threatened to shoot me. or
words TO that effect.
AT this time it looked very much as IL
the meeting would be dissolved with &C.
rious consequences attending it, as two
stubborn natures had met and one Of as
decided a character as the other when
deemins the position assumed as right.
However. IL was finally ssttled and oon,-
nrorised wi,bou, r.sort;n. 90 shoo.t
after which, In the presence OF the entire
company, stated my determination and
firm resolve to sever my connection with
during the weeI s,a,;nS siS D. 'a'''eo out
. c;sn,lemen Won ha"a naroh, .. ,
from, ,,a IN ,n. $500 "a us,N 70 rear
10, rawyo,,, 40 "eNe' "ouiu
IhoVohr HIM MAD, But PERSISTED.
The resolve to attempt to carry on the
President from the hospital or epcamp-
ment on Seventh street. where tho Chief
Executive failed to appear after the con-
spirators had arrived on the scene on
horseback il dealt with again by Arnold
at this point. The plan was to take the
carriage of the President and all seated
within 1t, drive il around by way of Ba-
densburg, thence through the lower coun-
ties in the direction of Port Tobacco, cross
the river at or near that point, and thence
onward TO Richmond.
Commenting on this plan. Mr.. Arnold
says:
'The most quixotic and visionary un.
dertaking that ever entered a sane mans
brain. | looked upon him az demented.
but made no objection, stating that we
would be ready at the appointed time
OF all the ideas existing in a mans brain.
this was the most foolhardy ever ad, anced.