The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-07-05
washington Catlett.)

iscence of the death and capture OF
John Wilkes Booth. the assassin Of
President Lincoln.
l write simply what | saw, and what
was told me by persons Sc near to me
that their testimony at this date
amounts to historical evidence.
The capture and death happened at
the residence Of Mr.. John Henry Gar
rett, a Well to do farmer, who lived
about two and a half miles from my
native village, Port Royal, Caroline
county, Virginit, lying on the south
ern bank Of the now historic Kappa
hammock river. and within eighteen
miles of Fredericksburg.
| was about thirteen years old wnen
the event which | narrate occurred,
but the scenes are as vivid as if they
had occurred but a year ago.
The historical fact. is known to the
general reader hat Booth shot the
president in FOrd's theatre in Wash
ington on April 14th, 1865.
Attended by an ~accOmplice, a young
man named Harold, Booth fled on
horseback from the city, on the Mary
land side of the Potomac river. He
had sprained his ankle when he spran2
to the stage from the theatre box IN
which sat Lincoln when the fatal 6hJc
was fired.
Booth stopped at the residence . +:
Doctor Mudd. by whom his wounded
ankle was dressed, and who was sen
fenced for life for this professional
act, though absolutely ignorant OF the
personality of his patient, to the Dry
Tortugas. He was, however, paIdOned
when the intense feeling of vengeance
had spent itself and when The injustice
Of the punishment could be c~OnSIdered
Booth and Harold fed from Wash
ingtOn through Maryland until they
reached a crossing Of the Potomac,
Matthias Point, in Virginia. This had
been the great route during the war
for smuggling dispatches, medicine,
and everything that was to be gotten
from the north to be carried to Rich
mOnd.
NJ father had been detailed to re-
ceive these dispatches at Port Royal
and forward or carry them to Milford
station on the Richmond and Freder~
icksburY railroad, whence they were
carried to Richmond.
Living in King George county was a
prominent family named Jet. A mem
Der of this family whom We all called
Willie Jett. a young man about ~ or
% years of age, was well known at M
fathers house. 1t was through him
that we came very near being involE
ed ignOrantly in this most unfortunate
affair.
How Jett met Booth and became in
terested in his escape, | do not know.
think some one on the Maryland SIDE
of the Potomac directed Booth 10 this
family. do not know how or why
Booth confded in Jet. i suppose his
case was growing desperate, and IN
his helpless condition he was yearnlnS
d for sympathy and aid, and the govern
, mcBt's detectives were close upon MS
heels.
But here my personal recoliections
begin.
One quiet April evening, lett, ac-
companied by two men. visited our
home and asked permission from my
mother to spend the night with US.
He stated that his friends were south
ern soldiers. returning home. and that
one was wounded. | was standing by
mn mother on the porch anG saw two
men on horseback in front of the
gate. One was an exceedingly hand
some man with Crrly black hair. He
had a crutch and was wearing Il boot
on one foot and a shoe on the other,
which. as Mr.. Jet stated, was Injured.
The other man was younger anu less
attractive in appearance.
Our village, torn by shot and shell.
did not boast of al inn for the enter
tainment Of the pIoliC, hence travel
ers either enjoyed The ever open hos
oitality Of their friends. or. If stran-
gers, proceeded on their journey or
made the best Of n accommodations
which might be gotten.
My father was absent froi:: home at
the time and it was nCl convenient
to entertain these guests therefore
my mother Informed Jet that she
J wIu'd be glad If he would t""c ms
c~onpanlons to the hCIlc of some other
friends in the village.
Jett left. and this Was the last we
heard or thought OF the incident.
The federal ~H,lnboats hal steamed
ND the river, and t&d ci"c"iatrt rl3
cards containing a warning against
harboring or aiding the assassin. the
advertised reward for the capture OF
Booth. if | remember correctly, was
fifty thousand dollars. Photographs
also were freely scattered. But VINO
in our secluded little village ever
imagined that Booth would seek II AS
a hiding place?
Mr. Gorrnft mhnnn have DNfOEC