The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-01-21
Had Vision of Assassination
While Sleeping With John
Wilkes Booth.
Actor Had Been Stranded
in Missouri by Heavy
SnOWStOrm.
Took Advantage of Teleg-
rapher'S Offer to Share
Sleeping Quarters.

NEW YORK, Jan, 2l.-"When ] was
young man was railroad telegraph op-
orator Ia Cameron. Mo-" said ". ID.
Hassett 10 a reporter for the Kansas
city Times THAT winter we had
terrific snOwstorm and trains were
blocked for DAYS. During the storm
the east-bOund express arrived at Cam
eron from St Joseph. but could pro-
coed no further nor could II get back
10 St Joseph. and the passengers found
themselves snOWbound in the little
town, which was then but a small rail-
way station, possessing only one hotel.
Upon this train were John Wilkes Booth,
the noted actor who afterward assas-
sinated President Lincoln. With him
was his theatrical company. en- route 10
ST. Louis ana Tie East from a profess
siOnal tour In California. The next
morning the storm had spent itself, but
30 was painfully evident To the straug-
ers that they were IN for a long siege.
The one lttle hotel could not accommO-
date all Of the passengers. and the cit
liens had 10 come 10 their rescue. and
each family entertained as many as
they could,
Captivated by Booth.
81 vas a young fellow. scarcely Of le-
gal age then, and Booth, with his re-
markably good looks and his attractive
personality, oaptivated me. / had
nice private room and invited the actor
TO share it with me. He accepted my
invitation gratefully, and thus began my
acquaintance with one OF the most fas-
cinating men have ever met in a
was handsome and had the faculty of
exciting ones admiration for himself ign
way that was enhancing. but seem
ingiy without any EFFORT on his part
our intimacy under the peculiar c0ndi-
lions progressed rapidly. but new char
acterisJic traits were continually de-
Neluplug Ia him which added 10 his fas-
rInating personality. lie called me
Daisy because, / suppose, / was so
fresh and uusOphisticaJed- The long
winter nights We spent with music and
reading 10 each other.
Had a Rollicdng Time.
He could sing and play the guitar
dIvinely. and during the day he would
have a rOllicking time snoWbalIing with
the town children and teaching them
various games.
no business going on. the snoVmound
people passed the time as best they
could, Within a week the snow had
crusted over so that il would bear a
horse and sleigh. The time was draw
ing near for Booth 10 commence d
series Of plays at De Bars Opera
House, ia 81. Louis, and he became
apprehens!ve that he would not he able
30 reach there upon time.
In "a day or TWO the road was re-
ports upon 10 ChilicoJhe. forty miles
east OF Cameron. but that IL would re
quire several days more 10 clear il 10
Cameron Booth made "a deal with a
man 20 take himself and his company
"a ChtlHcOthe on sleds- The sleds had
broad runners, with wagon boxes 10
ride in, and they hftched two yOkes
OF cattle 70 two OF these.
Dreamed of Tragedy.
The night before they started Booth
gave me "a sort of farewell benefit with
music and recitation. After going u
bed ! soon fen asleep and had a very
realistic dream which In the light Of
future events proved 10 be extremely
remarkable. l dreamed that / was
walking along the street of a large
city. IL was night and very dark.
Suddenly 1 approached a large build
ina and lights shOne from the win
lows. heard a shot and people came
from the house and rushed TO and fro.
1 started down a side alley and a man
came rushing toward me with a dagger
ln his hand 4 ray OF light fell upon
his face and / recognized Booth. AT
this moment j awOke and found my
self struggling franticany in Booth 5
arms. who WAS trying 10 awaken and
quiet me. When thoroughly awake ]
told Booth the dream that had given
me such q nightmare. He laughed and
said, You ATE too much of that mince
pie for dinner "