The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-01

"HE American Magazine Tor fepru-
ary has got hold of a long letter
i written in 1866 by Allan Pinkerton,
the famous detective, in which Pinker-
ten tells to the world for the first time
the story of his connection with the plot
to assassinate Lincoln in February, 1851.
pinlxerton discovered the plot and saved
Lincoln's life. He accompanied Lincoln
from Philadelphia to Washington, ana
of his experiences with Lincoln in the
train he writes in part:
"Mr. Lincoln wore al overcoat thrown
loosely about his shoulders, without In
serting his arms in the sleeves, and a
black Kossuth hat. which, he told me,
some ardent supporter had presented to
him during the campaign. He took seat
with Mr.. Lamon and myself, Mr. Ken
ney, the superintendent of the T. w. x
3. r. r., sharing the seat with the driver
overhead. AS 1t was too early for us TO
approach the P. w. & b. depot, Mr.. Ken
ney had the driver take us around the
city until it was just about time to reach
the depot five minutes after the train was
ore to leave. We left the carriage at a
dark spot short distance from the depot;
and, MIR. Lamon keeping little in the
rear of Mr.. Lincoln and myself, the lat
t,r leaning upon my arm, and stopping
somewhat so as to diminish his height as
rcuch as possible, we passed rapidly
through the depot. entered the sleeping
ar. and within two minutes-Mr. Kenney
meanwhile, having delivered the package
ef valuable papers to the conductor, John
I.tzenburg-the train was in motion, and
we were speeding along toward Baltimore.
Nome of the party slept any. At Havre
de Grace. on my return inside the car,
after having been out to see if my signals
were all right, Mr.. Lincoln remarked;
They say we are at Havre de Grace, and
are moving along well. / understand we
are ON time
"Although Mr. Lincoln did not sleep, he
was by no means restless. l could not
then nor have 1 since been able to under
stand how anyone, under like circum-
stances. could have manifested such COM
p;ete mental composure and cheerful spr-
its as he exhibited during the entire jour-
ney. On arriving at the Baltimore and
Ohio depot in Baltimore, we had wait
of about half an hour. Here ] again left
the car but remained outside only long
enough to satisfy myself that everything
was all right. 1t was now about 4
o'clock. When I returned everybody in
the car seemed to be asleep but our party.
Presently the train rolled out of the depo.
and we were at last bound for Washing
ton All the night through Mr.. Lincoln,
beng unable to sleep. had been telling US
Jokes and stories, of which he seemed to
have an endless store, in a voice so low
no one heard him but Lamon and me.
"As the train neared the Capital City
(t was then daylight, and we were max.
ing the necessary preparations for our
orderly appearance on our arrival at the
Washington depot, Mr.. Lincoln yawned
end, turning toward Lamon and me, said
" ith a smile, We'll, boys, thank God this
prayer meetings over. Then he told a
story to emphasize the fact that he was
now at the end of his perilous journey
and no longer needed our aid or compan-
ionship. A steamboat, on one occasion
ran into a sandbar in the river with such
force and became so deeply embedded in
the obstruction, it was found impossible
with the methods and appliances then III
vogue. to move her. The only other rem
cdy left was to wait-and no one could
tell how long that would be-till the higl
waters should come and float her away
| Meanwhile there happened to be reviva
| In progress at the church in village or
shore. opposite the point where the help
| less vessel lay. Yielding to the entreatie!
Of the church people, the captain one day
consented that a prayer meeting might
| he held in the cabin or large room of tbs
boat. The meeting had not progressed
very far until the vessel, yielding to tho
movements of the crowd and the addi
tional weight at one end, began to lurcf
slightly, and presently slid off the Offend
| ing sandbar. In an instant she floatef
away into deep water. At that particu
| lar moment an old brother. with eye.
closed. was on his knees sending UP !
long and feryent petition to the Almighty