The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-09
Lincoln Conspiracy and
Its COnSpirdtOrSa.aas.,.
copyrighted, 1902, by The Baltimore Americana


crossing the Eastern Branch bridge. 1 do
not know at what particular point ne In
tended crossing the river.
Q. With whom did you become acquaint-
ed at Rulmans Hotel. kept by Lichau?
A A man of the name of Purdy, Gillet
Giles, the bartender. and some others,
whose names 1 cannot recollect, none of
whom had any knowledge Of our plans.
.. Did Booth ever say anything about
his being able to procure the assistance of
anyone connected with the theater? A.
No He said he had tried to procure a
man in New York to turn off the gas.
Q. did Booth inform you that Surratt
was in the service of the Confederate gov
eminent, or was in the secrets of the per-
sons going to or coming from Richmond?
A. He never did.
Q. Did you know how many horses
Booth had at the time he said his brother
came to see him? A He had three.
never saw his brother.
Q. Did Booth suggest any method by
which the President could be decoyed into
upper box? A. He never did.
NO REWARD FOR DEED.
O. Did you hear any of the conspirators,
or any other person or persons, speak of
a reward having been offered for the as
sassination of President Lincoln, that a
reward would be given in case he was
killed or abducted? A. Never did. And
never heard that any reward was offered
for his assassination.
Q. How was it proposed to capture the
President upon the 18th of March? A.
To seize him and his carriage was the
intention and to drive him around by way
of Bladensburg to Surratsvile or T. b..
there to meet Herold and convey him to
the Potomac. 1t had been decided for the
first attempt, that ropes were to be stretch
ed across the road for the purpose of trip
ping up the horses in case of pursuit. This
only i'm my first conversation with
Booth at Barnum's Hotel.
Q. Did you ride to Mrs. Surratt's house
on March II? A. did not. did not know
where her house was, or that she lived in
Washington. / never saw or heard of her
until the day Of our trial.
Q. Were there any other persons at the
theater grounds hospital or encampmeno
on the 10Th of March that were expected to
assist in kidnapping the President other
than those mentioned in your statement?
A There were none to my knowledge. 1
am positive there were no others.
q. Do you know with whom O'Laughlin
deposited the box containing the carbines?
A. / do not. l could not recall the name
even ii / should hear it.
Q. Did you ever hear Booth say anything
about Louis p. Weichman? A. He said he
had learned through Weichman the number
of prisoners that there were on both sides.
1 think he said those held by the United
States amounted to 25OOO or 10000
Q. On March 81, when O'Laughlin called
on you and requested you to go to Wash
Booth wished TO see you? A. He did not.
HOW THE SOUTH FELT.
Q. When you saw Booth on March 81,
did he give you TO understand that Sur
raft would consult with the authorities at
Richmond and ascertain how they felt
toward the abduction scheme? A. He said
nothing in regard to it. but said the whole
scheme was abandoned
Q. What did Atzerodt say about the alb
duction when you met him at the depot
on March 81? A. / saw Atzerodt but
few moments. He said that Booth had pro-
cured box at the theater and that the alb
duction would come off that night. That
is all that passed between u.s.
Q. Did Booth ever say to you whether
any other parties in Washington or else
where knew of the abduction plot? A. He
never mentioned to me that any person or
persons knew of it or were connected with
it other than the parties we met at Gau-
tiers upon the evening of March is. 1865
Q. Did you ever hear Booth say anything
against Andrew Johnson? A. Never did.
Q. Was 1T ever contemplated by the con-
spirators to abduct any member of the
Cabinet or any government official other
than the President? A. 1t never was.
q. Did Booth ever mention anything to
you about the st. Adams raid? A. He said
that ne was either going to or coming
from Canada at the time it occurred This
he told me on his arrival In Baltimore. He
did not intimate that he was connected
with it.
z. Were you ever in the secret service of
the Confederate government? A. never
was.
NOT GOLDEN CIRCLE KNIGHT.
Q. Did you ever belong to the Order of
the Knights of the Golden Circle, or any
secret society of any kind? A. never
belonged to the knights of the Golden Cir
.. Did Booth administer any oath OF Sc
crecy to you at any time in relation to the
contemplated abduction? A. He did.
Q. Do you know of any other parties he
ing sworn to secrecy? A. do not
.. What did O'Laughlin inform Won
about Booth having a commission in the
Confederate service? A. OLaughIin told
me that Booth said he had told his brother
he held a commission in the Confederate
army; that his object in telling this was to
prevent his brother from insisting upon 60
ing home The brother that he referred
to l supposed TO be Junius Brutus. / wish
to add that 1 am not certain whether the
letter / received from Booth containing the
$50 was dated from the oil regions or from
New York
l, w. H. Gleason, do hereby certify that
the foregoing Is true and correct copy of a
statement, affidavit, questions and answers
thereto, made by Samuel Arnold in his tes-
timony taken before me thid Cd day of De-
cemoer, 1861 W. III. GLEASON.
Notary public and commissioner apnointed
by the congressional committee to in
vestisate into the particulars concernips
the assassination of President Lincoln
(To Be Continued To- Morrow
schools and who are second to none in