The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-26

| DOCTORS. UlSagfee ABOUT TIA l. IloIiliiiS
more was aid about the wound He
reached Louivile without being molested,
and though the place was held by Union
troops, he spent some days with his fam
lily at his home, Just east of the city.
! PROPOSED ABDUCTION.
! While recurerating Taylor conceived
/ the plan of abiucting Lincoln. From
| Louisville he went directly to Washing
| ton City He had two brothers in the
| Union army, while he and another broth
| or had cast their lot with the Confeder-
| acy. He had some linsfnen In high gov
ernment positions In Washington, but he
knew they would not bctray him. as they
had no real idea Of his real mission In the
city He stayed while there with his un-
Gle, Gen, Joseph Taylor. of the Federal
army; and the old General was quite UNI
easy while his reckless nephew was ut
the capitol.
Tayler had quite anextended conversa-
ton with one of the Presidents secreta-
ries, and a few days later boldly went to
the White House and at n public recep-
tion had himself introduced as "Ntr. Tay-
Tor of Kentucky" The President. seeing
that he had been shot, asked him a what
Battle he had been wounded.
When Taylor replled,S AT Fort Donel-
son." Mr.. Taylor complmentcd the work
OIL LHe FeueeTalS tDeIeS uOl SuppOSlHB IUT
a moment that the soldier whom he hold
by the hand was a Confederate coolly
planning one of the most daring schemes
of the war. Taylor watched closely for
some time the daily movements, of Lin
coin, and then passed quietly down into
Virginia and on to Richmond to hold
conference with jefferson Davis.
In letter to the writer, Gated March
"a, 1898. Col William Preston Johnston,
President Davis aide camp, says:
l think the date of Taylor's Interview
was in the early summer of 1862. Indeed,
I know it was It was not formal af-
fair Mrs. Davis was not in the city, and
/ was living with Mr.. Davis. I met Tny-
lor and told Mr. Davis he was In town,
and he directed me to ask him to break
fast. While we werer waiting for break
fast. Taylor explained his wish and plan
to me before Mr.. Davis came down, and
toward the close of breakfast / told tho
President that Taylor had scheme he
wished to lay before him.
Col. Johnston then refers to the follow
ing account of the interview: well,
Walker snid Mr.. Davis affably, what Is
it?' Mr.. Davis, want to bring Lincoln
a prisoner to you in.this city, %, Pshaw!'
said Davis, how can such q thing as that
be done? Just ms easily said Taylor,
as walking ont of this town, 7 came
across tho Potomac at no great distance
from Washington, and while I was there
I watched Lincoln's habits closely and
know his outgoing and incoming. I tell
you, sir, that I can bring him across that
river lust rs easily rs I can walk over
your doorstep How could you do it?'
said Mr.. Davis. lincoln replied Taylor.
docs not leave the White House until
evening, or near twilight, and then with
only driver, he takes a lonely ride two
or three miles in the country to a place
called the Soldiers Home. Which Is his
summer residence. My point Is to collect
several of these Kentuckinns whom see
about here doing nothing and who are
brave enough for such thing as that,
and capture Lincoln, run him down the
Potomac. and cross him over just where
i crossed and the next day will have him
here,
PRESIDENT DAVIS REFUSES.
Davis shook his head and said: 4 can
not give my authority Walker.
In the first place, suppose Lincoln
Is man of courage Tie has been IN
Indian wars, and Is n western man. TIe
would undoubtedly resist being captured,
In that case you would kill him. 7 could
not stand tho imputation Of having con-
scented to let Mr.. lincoln he assassinated.
Our cause could not stand It, Besides,
what value would he be to us ms q prls-
oner2 Lincoln is not the government of
the Federal power. He is merely the po-
litican instrument there If he were
brought to Richmond, what could I do
with him? He would have to be treated
like the magistrate 'of the North and we
have neither the time nor the provision.
No, sir. wNl not give my authority to
abduct Lncon!' I"
gentleman, and the thought Of assaaslna-
ting Lincoln never entered his mind. Tho
iron-nerved Kentuckian simply desired to
CAPTURE the Chief Executive Of the United
states and to retain him as prisoner of
war. But the tall chieftain OF those who
wore the gray consented not, for he knew
that his great opponent might be killed
In the. attempt Was this refusal to
sanction the proposed abduction mere
sentlment2 No, but 1t was manhood and
wisdom. Thus II Is seen that Davis not
only did not desire the assassination of
Lincoln, hut refused to countenance even
possibility of It.
When Mr., Lincoln was assassinated,
three years later, the whole country was
ina state of great excitement, President
Andrew Johnson in his proclamation OF
May 2, 1895, charged Davis with instiga-
ting the assassination, and offered $780,
| 0Q0 reward for hts arrest Davis was cap
tured, The Federal government at his
trial made n thorough investigation into
| what Johnson had charged, The result
| Of the trIal shows that Jefferson Davis
| was In no wise connected with Lincoln's
| assassination. Davis prevented n possible
| killing of Lincoln In 1862, and the world
| believes to-day that the sad affair of 1866
| was wholly Without the previous knowl-
| edge of the Confederate chieftain. Were