Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-25
OLD ARSENAL GROUNDS
CHANGES nADraAnD conrnn-
PLATED FOR var COLLEGE.
It Was There the ssassins of rresi-
dent Lincoln Were Tried
and Elk kuted.


Few persons, even Hong the residents of
Washington. ard scaiEely any among our
visitors who wander Through the beauti-
full grounds of the arsenal water park on
the Potomac at the Mot of AZ street re-
member or realize thAt the trial Of Mrs.
Surratt and others charged with conspiracy
to assassinate President Lincoln was he'd
in the old penitentiary building formerly
there. and that the conspirators were exc
cuted almost upon the spot between the
two large main buildings in the center Of
the grounds now occupied by the flower
beds and splashing fountain which sepa-
rate the main driveway at this point.
This historic park is about to be further
changed by the expenditure Of several mil
lions of dollars in new buildings and other
Improvements going with the new army col
lege, but it will ever remain, even II its
story be forgotten by most Of us, one of
the most historic places situated within the
limits Of the District.
There are probably very few, if any, resi-
dents of the capital still living who ac-
tAally witnessed the execution, though
there are some who were in the park with
out the walls Of the penitentiary upon that
eventful day. Among these is Officer Rob
ert Burns, a veteran on the local police
at police headquarters. Mr.. Burns is filled
with interesting "reminiscences, and IN re-
marking this morning to a Star man upon
the change in the scene of the execution
grounds since the war he said:
The Old Prison and It's Inmates.
There is great difference between the
fine, well-kept park Of today and the same
spot during the war. Half of it, on the
James Creek canal side, was marsh, and
there were none Of the beautiful large trees
under the shade of which our residents now
wander in the summer time by the seawall
"Four-anda-half street stopped at
street, which lines the grounds on the north
now, but 1t is my recollection that the high
brick wall which shuts them in was erected
after the war. There was fence of some
kind here, while farther on in the grounds
arose high and forbiddingly the dark walls
Of the penitentiary, inclosing this gloomy
building, made famous by the great trial or
the Lincoln conspriators held therein.
This wall was afterward torn down, to-
gether with the center wing Of the prison
building. The two large residences facing
each other, and which are now used as
quarters for the commandant and other
higher officers stationed at the post, are
the cast and west wings of the penitent1ary
building remodeled. These two wings OF the
old prison make today attractive, olo-iash.
Toned residences from the exterior, and not
one person in a million would suspect that
they were formerly prison, and that their
windows overlooked the most historic exc
cution ever held in this country.
Eyes, I was In the grounds on the day
of the execution because was at that time
in the employ of the government and sta
toned there I was machinist and one
of a small army of men at work In the
shops where arms and ammunition were
manufa ctured and abandoned guns on the
battlefield made over and returned to the
service 81 81
IT recall that the public were rigidly
excluded and that the number of persons
allowed within the walls Of the prison were
comparatively few on the day of the exc
cution. did notcaresto see it, and would
not have done so unless had been ordered
In line of duty. 1 had visited the court
room during the trial and had observed the
prisoners they7sat at the bar. :.
Other Historic Features of the Park.
Yes, there was a great deal of talk
among the men at the time as to the exact
place of the interment Of the bodies, and
there has always been a difference of
opinion where the bodies were buried and
as to their subsequent disposal. well re-
member that on the day of the execution
the utmost secrecy was maintained as to
their interment, and this secrecy was af-
forwards not relaxed. Beyond the laborers
who prepared the graves and the few IN
authority l doubt II any one knew their
disposition.
..The body of Mrs. Surratt is said to have
been renterred in Mount Olivet cemetery
There is monument erected to her mem
ory there / believe that it is understood
that the other bodies were disinterred and
buried elsewhere, while other reports have
it that they were destroyed in the usual
manner by quicklime.
president Lincoln was assassinated upon
a Friday night. The men in the arsenal
had planned for torchlight procession
with patriotic transparencies for that night,
our intention being to serenade the Presi-
dent and Secretary Stanton. There were about
100 of us, and we marched up town to the
White House with flags flying and music
playing. At the White House we were told
that the President had gone to the theater,
and we were much disappointed.
History Might Have Been Changed.
az have often thought that If our coming
had in some manner delayed the Presidents
attendance at Ford's Theater on that fatal
night; if his visit had been postponed how
history would have been changed, the plans
of the conspirators upset, and the life of
Mr. Lincoln perhaps preserved.
1--WE marched around on K street near
18th at the Stanton residence, where Cen
eral Gilmore addressed us, and then pro-
ceeded to the Seward residence on Madison
place opposite Lafayette Square. AS we
were marching home down PENNSYLVANIA
avenue near the National Theater an officer
in full dress uniform came running wildly
up, shouting Stop the music; the President
has been aSSaSSlnated!
II ran ahead to the front Of the column
and stopped the band We could not re-
alize the full import of the officers words.
but in a few minutes the streets were filled
with troops and people, and then ensued a
scene of excitement such as few men have
witnessed, and night never to be forgotten
by those within the limits of the city at that
time.
But the park Is memorable In not only
being the execution grounds of the Lincoln
conspirators, but as the spot where one of
the greatest If not the most terrible acct
The event will be recalled by all old Wash
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