The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-14
DANA'S LAST TALK WITH
LINCOLN.
A Swiftly Moving Picture Of Fifty
Years AGO To-day.

From "Recoiiecttons Of the Civii War"
1t was one OF my duties At this time
to receive the reports Of the officers OF
the secret service in every part OF tho
country. On inc afternoon OF the 18th
Of April--it was Good FRIDAY got a
telegram from the Provost Marshal IN
Portland, Me-. saying: Il have posi-
tive information that Jacob Thompson
will pas through Portland tonight, In
order TO take a steamer for England.
What are your orders?"
Jacob Thompson OF Mississippi had
been Secretary Of the Interior In Presi-
dent Buchanans Administration. He
was q conspicuous secessionist. and for
some time had been employed in Can
ada As a semi-dlplomatic agent Of the
Confederate Government. He had been
organizing all sorts OF trouble and get
ting up raids. OF which the notorious
attack on st. Adams, VT. was a specl-
men took the telegram and went
down and read II to Mr.. stanton. His
order was prompt: ARREST him." But
a. was going out Of ths door he called
to me and said: NO. walt: better 20
over and see the President"
At the white House all the work OF
tho day was over. and I went into the
Presidents business room without meet
ing any one. Opening the door. there
seemed to be no one there but as I was
turning to go out Mr.. Lincoln called
to me from little side room. where he
was washing his hands:
"Halloo, Danar' said ne. what Is
III What's up7'
Then read him the telegram from
Portland
what does Stanton say?" he asked.
He says arrest him, but that I should
refer the question to you"
We'll" said tho President slowly.
wiping his hands, mo. l rather think
not. When you have got an elephant
by the hind leg. and he's trying to run
away. It's best to let him run
With this direction | returned 10 the
| War Department
We'll. what says he?" asked Mr.. STAN
ton.
He says that when you have got an
! elephant by the hind leg and he is try
! ing to run away It's best to let him
run"
"Oh. stun" said Stanton.
That night I was awakened from a
49, v.vttA ha
news that Mr.. Lincoln had been sho,
! and that the Secretary wanted me at a
house in Tenth street found the Pres
) ident with a bullet wound in the head
lying unconscious. though breathins
b heavily. on a bed in a small side room
while all the members OF the Cabinet
and the Chief Justice with them, were
/ gathered in the adjoining parlor. They
seemed to he almost IA much paraiyzec
! as the unconscious sufferer within thu
/ little chamber. The surgeons said there
was no hope. Mr.. Stanton alone was II
/ full activity.
"sit down here" said he. II wan
you."
one after another, which wrote out ant
sent swiftly to the telegraph. All thes'
orders were designed TO keep the busl
ness OF the Government In full motor
until the crisis should be over. II SCENE,
as II M. Stanton thought OF everything
and there was great deal 10 b
+ thought Of that night. The exten
OF the conspiracy was OF course un
known, and the horrible beginning whlcl
had been made naturally led us to sus
pcct the worst The safety OF Washing
ton must he looked after. Commander
all over the country had TO be orderet
| 20 take extra precautions. The peopl
must be notified OF the tragedy. tn
assassns must be captured. Tho cool
ness and clearhe 1dedness or Mr.. Stan
ton under these circumstances were mos
remarkable. remember that one OF hi
first kilograms was TO General Dix. tn
military commander OF New York, mott
flying him Of what had happened. y
clearer brief account OF the tragedy eS
lists to-day than this. written scarcel
three hours after the scene In Ford
Theatre, on little stand IN the roor
where. "A few feet away. Mr.. Ancol
lay dying
remained with Mr. Stanton until per
haps 3 o'clock In the morning Then h
said That's enough. Now you ma
so home"
When left the President was sti
alive. breathing heavily and regularl,
though OF course quite unconscious
About 3 o'clock was awakened by
rapping on lower window, II wa
Colonel Pelouze OF the Adjutant- Genei
ais office. and he said
"Mr. Dana. the President is dead, an
) Mr. stanton directs YOU to arrest Jaco
Thompson"
The order was sent to Portland, bu
Thompson could not he found there II
had taken the Canadian route TO Hal
fax.
"Jltney" In the South.