The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1913-01-31
Allan PInkerton's Hitherto Unpub-
llshed Story Of the First Attempt
to Assassinate Lincoln.

The American Magazine for Febru-
airy has got hold of a long letter writ
ten in 1866 by Allan Pinkerton, the
famous detective. in which Pinkerton
tells to the world for the first time
the story of his connection with the
plot to assassinate Lincoln at Balti-
more on his way to Washington in
February, 1861. Pinkerton discover
ed the plot and saved Lincoln's life.
He accompanied Lincoln from Phil
experiences with Lincoln In the train
he writes in part
Mr.. Lincoln wore an overeoat
thrown loosely about his shoulders,
without inserting his arms in the
sleeves, and a black Kossuth hat,
which, he told me, some ardent sup
porter had presented to him during
the campaign. He took seat with
Mr.. Lamon and myself, Mr.. Kenney,
the superintendent of the p. W. &
B. Railroad, sharing the seat with the
driver overhead. AS It was too early
for us to approach the p. ". & b. de-
pot Mr.. Kenney had the driver take
us around the city until 1t was Just
about time to reach the depot five
minutes after the train was due to
leave. We left the carriage at a dark
spot a short distance from the depot
and, Mr.. Lamon keeping little in
the rear of Mr.. Lincoln and myself,
the latter leaning upon my arm, and
stopping somewhat SO as 10 diminish
his height as much as possible. we
passed rapidly through the depot,
entered the sleeping-ear, and within
two minntes-Mr. Kenney, meanwhile,
having delivered the package of Yalu-
able papers to the conductor, John
Litzenburg-the train was In motion,
and we we're speeding along towards
Baltimore. None of the party slept
any. At Hayre de Grace, on my re-
turn inside the car, after having been
out to see II my signals were all
right, Mr.. Lincoln remarked They
say we are at Hayre de Grace, and
are moving along well. | understand
we are on time
Although Mr.. Lincoln did not
sleep, he was by no means restless.
] eounld not then nor have since been
able to understand how anyone. under
like circumstances, could have mani
tested such complete mental compos
ure and cheerful spirits as he ex-
hibited during the entire Journey. On
arriving at the Baltimore and Ohio
depot in Baltimore. We had a .ait
or about half an hour. Here | again
left the car, but remained outside
only long enough 10 satisfy myself
that everything was all right. 1t
was now about four o'clock. When /
returned everybody IN the car SEEM
to be asleep but our party. Present.
ly the train rolled out of the depot,
and we we're at last bound for Wash
ington. All the night through Mr..
Lincoln, being 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
but bamon and me.
As the train neared the CAPITAL
City tit was then daylight, ana We
were making the necessary prepare
uons for our orderly appearance on
our arrival at the Washington depofl
Mr. Lincoln yagned. and turning to-
ward Lamon and me. said with a
smile, Well, boys, thank God this
prayer-meeting'H over Then he told
story 10 emphasize the fact that
he was now at the end OF his perfIons
Journey and 10 longer needed our
aid or eompanlonship. A steamboat,
on one occasion ran into sand bar
In the river With such force and be-
came 30 deeply embedded in the oh.
strnetion. II vas found impossible
with the methods and appliances then
In vogue. TO move her The only 9TH
er remedy left was 10 waIt-and no
one could tell how long that would
be-till the high waters should come
and float her away. Meanwhile
there happened TO be a reylyaf in
progress al the church in a village
on shore. opposite the point where
the helpless vessel lay. Yielding to
the entfeatiea Of the church people.
the captain one day consented that
nrayer=meeting might be held In
the cabin or large room of the boat
Inc meeting Ind moi progressed very
Tar until the vessel. yielding tn tho
movements OF the crowd and the adj
ditional weight nj one end. began to
lureh slightly, and presently slid on
The offending sand-bar In an In
slant she lioated away INTO deem
water At that particular moment
an old brother. with eyes closed. xas
on his knees sending up a long and
iefYent petition TO the Almighty. The
captains Joy knew no bounds. With.
out waiting for the good brother 10
finish his prayer, the former mounted
chair, and cried out at the ton of
his voice. Get on this boat, every
ID one of you; this prayer-meet
ing.s ended.
Al the depot awaiting lie as the
train rolled in. were Mr.. Washbnrn.
OF Illinois. and Senator Seward. We
then proceeded at once TO Wizards
Hotel, where Mr. Lincoln registered
his own name and that OF Mr. Bamon
and myself, aud was assigned rooms.
though not those he expected We
would have, as he had arrived some
what In advance of the appointed
time. During the morning after The
news OF his arrival had spread, there
WAS more or less excited talk. Few
men were actually willing TO believe
ne mad actually reached the city. and
many were the vile and bitter impre-
tationAE | heard heaped upon his
head while mingling with the crowds
In the hotels and public places of
that rebelllous city Its people, As a
rule, appeared scarcely more favor
able to the Union than In Baltimore.
Mrs. Lincoln. accompanied by Mr..
Judd and the rest of the party. fol-
lowed in due time Before they left
Harrisburg, the news had been Iele-
graphed all over the country of the
safe arrival of the president-eleet in
washington. In passing through
Baltimore, they met with anything