Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-08

now Cox's Station. on the Popes Greek
branch of the Pennsylvania railroad, and
who finally, on a black and misty night
piloted the fugitives to his farm, Huck-
leberry, on the Potomac, and started them
in his twelve-foot fishing boat toward the
Virginia shore. Twenty-one years ago
Jones dictated the narrative of his con-
nection with the Confederate mail and
with Booth and Herold, which narrative
was published in book form. Jones I'M
til about the close of the war lived at
Popes Creek. the point on the Potomac
where mail was brought over from Vir-
ginia and the south and delivered to Con-
federate agents by Jones. A great many
people who could not otherwise get
through the Federal lines were ferried
across the river there. in spite of the fact
that Union troops detectives and spies
were thick around that part of the coun-
try.
been In the very early spring of 1865
Jones sold his place at Popes Creek and
moved to a farm two miles north-that is.
toward Washington. which was called
Huckleberry. Near Huckleberry was
tract which has been variously called
Dents Meadow and Wares Meadow.
Jones says of this: Dents Meadow was
then a very retired spot back of Huckle-
berry farm. about one and a half miles
north of Popes Creek. at least a mile
from the public road and with no dwelling
house in sight. This meadow is a mar
row valley opening to the river between
high and steep cliffs that were then heav-
lily timbered and covered with an almost
impenetrable underground of laurel. 1t
was from this spot that I determined to
make the attempt of sending Booth across
to Virginia.
There seems to have been good deal
of talk in that part Of the state about a
plot to kidnap Lincoln. On this point
Jones said:
Some time in December, 1864. I heard
that there was big scheme afoot to alb
duct President Lincoln Briefly, the plan
was this: The President, when he went
for his customary evening drive toward
the navy yard, was to be seized, and
either chloroformed or gagged, and driven
quietly out of the city. If, in crossing
the navy yard bridge. the carriage should
be stopped, the captors would point to the
President and drive on. The carriage was
to be escorted out of the city by men
dressed in Federal uniform. Relays of
fast horses were to be in readiness all
along the route, and boat which was
to take the captive across the Potomac
bacco creek about three and a half miles
from the town of the same name. There
was not much danger that the carriage
containing the abducted President. once
clear of the city. would be overtaken, as
it would be impossible for the pursuers to
obtain fresh horses. The distance to be
traversed to reach the Potomac was only
about thirty miles, and with the boat and
men to row 1t in readiness the river could
be crossed within an hour of the time it
was reached.
The idea of the conspirators was that
with such hostage in its power the Con-
federacy would be able to dictate terms
to the north. Had it not been for the
wretched condition of the roads during
the latter part of the winter and early
spring. due to the mild weather. frequent
rains and constant hauling over them OF
the heavy army wagons, there is no doubt
but what the execution of this plan would
have been attempted, and when We con-
slider the thoroughness and secrecy with