Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-24
LincOln's Secret Trip and
First Plot of Assassination

How the plot to sasassinate Abra- I
ham Lincoln before his Inauguration |
as president in 1861 was toiled is told !
In detail in a letter written by Allan
Pinkerton and published for the first
time In the American Magazine for
February. The fact that Pinkerton
laid bare the plot and saved Lincoln's
life has long been known, but the de-
tailed story written by the famous
detective to Lincoln's law partner,
William H. Herndon, in 1856 was held
as confidential. The letter passed
from Mr.. Herndon to Jesse W. Weik
Of Greenoastle, Ind, who was his col
laborater tn his life Of Lincoln. AS
there is no further necessity TO with
hold names or facts Mr.. weik has con-
scented to the publication of all the
circumstances detailed by Mr.. Pinker-
ton.
Mr.. Ptnkerton tells Of plans Of seces-
sionists OF Maryland TO seize a steam
er Of the Philadelphia, Wilmington &
Baltimore railroad at Havre de Grace
ald TO burn the bridges Of that com
pany between Havre de Grace and
Baltimore s. NJ. FELTON,, then presi-
dent Of that road. called him into the
case and after extensive operations
by men and women detectives decisive
information was obtained Of a plot TO
assassinate Mr.. Lincoln. Mr.. Pinker-
ton was authorized by Mr.. FELTON, 70
apprise Mr.. Lincoln Of the plot.
ION the day OF Mr.. Lfncoln's arriv-
al in New York" he writes, fearing
70 leave Baltimore myself in case Of
anything vital occurring which might
need my immediate attention, sent
one Of my lady operatives, Mrs. War
ne. who for many years had been in
charge OF my female detective force.
and upon whose judgment and discre-
ton / could rely, with a letter TO my
friend the Hon Norman B. Judd of
Chicago. who was then accompanying
Mr.. Lincoln, and was with him in
New York. Knowing the difficulty
Mrs. Warne would have in securing
an interview with Mr.. Judd, gave her
o letter TO my friend. Mr.-now Gen.
eral-E. S. Sanford. OF New York, vice
president Of the Adams Express com
pany, and also president Of the Amer
lean Telegraph company, requesting
him 70 arrange for her an interview
with Mr.. Judd. This was according
ly done. and Mr Judd, having read my
letter and obtained from Mrs. Warne
what additional information he could
came 10 the conclusion that he would
not apprlse Mr.. Lincoln Of the devel
opments until after the arrival OF the
party in Philadelphia.
II was then notified by telegraph
from New York by Messrs. Sanford
and Judd, and also by Mrs. Warne, tc
say nothing TO anyone. and 10 meet
Judd in Philadelphia on the ar
rival OF the presidential party. I did
so, and through the agency Of George
VI. Burns met Mr.. Judd at the Ct
Louis hotel on Chestnut street, Mr.
Felton. the president OF the Philadel
phia, Wilmington & Baltimore rail
road, accompanying me. The streets
we're crowded with people, and there
was more or less excitement. The
loyal mass WIS waiting 20 congratu
late and welcome their chief magis
trste. COMMUNICATED TO Mr.. judo
tire particulars OF the plot, the only
other person present being Mr.. Eel
ton. Mr.. Judd was at once deeply i'm
pressed with the danger that seemed
to surround Mr. Lincoln,~ but he sait
he very much feared he would be un
able to induce that gentleman Il
change his route, which was what
urged, my idea, and that Of Mr.. Eel