the life, crime and capture of john wilkes booth by g. a. townsend

8/2/2019 The Life, Crime and Capture of John Wilkes Booth by G. A. Townsend

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THELIFE,CRIME,ANDCAPTURE

OF

JOHNWILKESBOOTH

WITHAFULLSKETCHOFTHE

ConspiracyofwhichhewastheLeader,

ANDTHE

PURSUIT,TRIALANDEXECUTIONOFHISACCOMPLICES.

BYGEORGEALFREDTOWNSEND,

ASPECIALCORRESPONDENT.

EXPLANATORY.

Oneyearagothewriteroftheletterswhichfollow,visitedtheBattleFieldofWaterloo.InlookingovermanyrelicsofthecombatpreservedintheMuseumthere,hewasparticularlyinterestedinthefilesofjournalscontemporarywiththeaction.ThesecontainedtheDukeofWellington'sfirstdespatchannouncingthevictory,thereportsofthesubordinatecommanders,andthecurrentgossipastotheepisodesandhazardsoftheday.

ThetimewillcomewhenremarkableincidentsoftheseourtimeswillbeastapleofasgreatcuriosityastheissueofWaterloo.Itisan

incidentwithoutaprecedentonthissideoftheglobe,andnevertoberepeated.

Assassinationhasmadeitslastefforttobecomeindigenoushere.ThepublicsentimentofLoyalistandRebelhasdenouncedit:theworldhasremarkeditwithupliftedhandsandwordsofexecration.Therefore,aslongashistoryshallholdgood,themurderofthePresidentwillbeathemeforpoesy,romanceandtragedy.WewholiveinthisconsecratedtimekeepthesacredsouvenirsofMr.Lincoln'sdeathinourpossession;andthebestofthesearethenewslettersdescriptiveofhisapotheosis,andthefateoftheconspiratorswhoslewhim.

IrepresentedtheWorldnewspaperatWashingtonduringthewholeof

thoseexcitingweeks,andwrotetheiroccurrencesfreshfromthemouthsoftheactors.EnteredaccordingtoActofCongress,intheyear1865,

ByDICK&FITZGERALD,

IntheClerk'sOfficeoftheDistrictCourtoftheUnitedStatesfortheSouthernDistrictofNewYork.


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PREFATORY.

IthasseemedfittingtoMessrs.DICK&FITZGERALDtoreproducetheWorldletters,asakeepsakeforthemanywhoreceivedthemkindly.TheSketchesappendedwereconscientiouslywritten,andwhateverembellishmentstheymayseemtohavegrewoutofthestirringevents,--notoutofmyfancy.

Subsequentinvestigationhasconfirmedtheveracityevenoftheirspeculations.Ihavearrangedthem,buthavenotalteredthem;iftheyrepresentnothingelse,theydocarrywiththemthefeverandspiritofthetime.Buttheydonotassumetobeliteralhistory:Welivetooclosetotheeventsrelatedtodecidepositivelyuponthem.Asabrochureoftheday,--nothingmore,--IgivetheseSketchesofaCorrespondenttothepublic.

G.A.T.

THELIFE,CRIME,ANDCAPTURE

OFJOHNWILKESBOOTH.

LETTERI.

THEMURDER.

Washington,April17.

Someverydeliberateandextraordinarymovementsweremadebyahandsomeandextremelywell-dressedyoungmaninthecityofWashingtonlastFriday.Atabouthalf-pasteleveno'clockA.M.,thisperson,whosenameisJ.WilkesBooth,byprofessionanactor,andrecentlyengagedinoilspeculations,saunteredintoFord'sTheater,onTenth,betweenEandFstreets,andexchangedgreetingswiththemanatthebox-office.Intheconversationwhichensued,theticketagentinformedBooththataboxwastakenforMr.LincolnandGeneralGrant,whowereexpectedtovisitthetheater,andcontributetothebenefitofMissLauraKeene,andsatisfythecuriosityofalargeaudience.Mr.Boothwentawaywithajest,andalightly-spoken"Goodafternoon."StrollingdowntoPumphreys'stable,onCstreet,intherearoftheNationalHotel,he

engagedasaddlehorse,ahigh-strung,fast,beautifulbaymare,tellingMr.Pumphreysthatheshouldcallforherinthemiddleoftheafternoon.

FromherehewenttotheKirkwoodHotel,onthecornerofPennsylvaniaavenueandTwelfthstreet,where,callingforacardandasheetofnotepaper,hesatdownandwroteuponthefirstasfollows:

ForMr.AndrewJohnson:--


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Idon'twishtodisturbyou;areyouathome?

J.W.Booth.

Tothismessage,whichwassentupbytheobligingclerk,Mr.Johnsonrespondedthathewasverybusilyengaged.Mr.Boothsmiled,andturningtohissheetofnote-paper,wroteonit.Thefact,iffactitis,thathehadbeendisappointedinnotobtaininganexaminationoftheVice-President'sapartmentandaknowledgeoftheVice-President'sprobablewhereaboutstheensuingevening,innowayaffectedhiscomposure.Thenote,thecontentsofwhichareunknown,wassignedandsealedwithinafewmoments.Bootharose,bowedtoanacquaintance,andpassedintothestreet.Hiselegantpersonwasseenontheavenueafewminutes,andwaswithdrawnintotheMetropolitanHotel.

At4P.M.,heagainappearedatPumphreys'liverystable,mountedthemarehehadengaged,rodeleisurelyupFstreet,turnedintoanalleybetweenNinthAndTenthstreets,andthenceintoanalleyreloadingtotherearofFord'sTheater,whichfrontsonTenthstreet,betweenEandFstreets.Herehealightedanddepositedthemareinasmallstableoffthealley,whichhehadhiredsometimebeforefortheaccommodationofasaddle-horsewhichhehadrecentlysold.Mr.Boothsoonafterwardretiredfromthestable,andissupposedtohaverefreshedhimselfataneighboringbar-room.

At8o'clockthesameevening,PresidentLincolnandSpeakerColfaxsattogetherinaprivateroomattheWhiteHouse,pleasantlyconversing.GeneralGrant,withwhomthePresidenthadengagedtoattendFord'sTheaterthatevening,hadleftwithhiswifeforBurlington,New-Jersey,inthe6o'clocktrain.AfterthisdepartureMr.Lincolnratherreluctantlydeterminedtokeephispartoftheengagement,ratherthantodisappointhisfriendsandtheaudience.Mrs.Lincoln,enteringtheroomandturningtoMr.Colfax,said,inahalflaughing,halfseriousway,"Well,Mr.Lincoln,areyougoingtothetheaterwithmeornot?""IsupposeIshallhavetogo,Colfax,"saidthePresident,andtheSpeakertookhisleaveincompanywithMajorRathbone,oftheProvost-MarshalGeneral'soffice,whoescortedMissHarris,daughterof

SenatorHarris,ofNewYork.Mr.andMrs.LincolnreachedFord'sTheaterattwentyminutesbefore9o'clock.

Thehousewasfilledineverypartwithalargeandbrilliantlyattiredaudience.Asthepresidentialpartyascendedthestairs,andpassedbehindthedresscircletotheentranceoftheprivateboxreservedforthem,thewholeassemblage,havinginmindtherecentUnionvictories,arose,cheered,wavinghatsandhandkerchiefs,andmanifestingeveryotheraccustomedsignofenthusiasm.ThePresident,lasttoenterthebox,turnedbeforedoingso,andbowedacourteousacknowledgmentofhisreception--AtthemomentofthePresident'sarrival,Mr.Hawks,oneoftheactors,performingthewell-knownpartofDundreary,hadexclaimed:"Thisremindsmeofastory,asMr.Lincolnsays."Theaudienceforced

him,aftertheinterruption,totellthestoryoveragain.ItevidentlypleasedMr.Lincoln,whoturnedlaughinglytohiswifeandmadearemarkwhichwasnotoverheard.

TheboxinwhichthePresidentsatconsistedoftwoboxesturnedintoone,themiddlepartitionbeingremoved,asonalloccasionswhenastatepartyvisitedthetheater.Theboxwasonalevelwiththedresscircle;abouttwelvefeetabovethestage.Thereweretwoentrances--thedoornearesttothewallhavingbeenclosedandlocked;thedoornearest


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thebalustradesofthedresscircle,andatrightangleswithit,beingopenandleftopen,afterthevisitorshadentered.Theinteriorwascarpeted,linedwithcrimsonpaper,andfurnishedwithasofacoveredwithcrimsonvelvet,threearmchairssimilarlycovered,andsixcane-bottomedchairs.Festoonsofflagshungbeforethefrontoftheboxagainstabackgroundoflace.

PresidentLincolntookoneofthearm-chairsandseatedhimselfinthefrontofthebox,intheanglenearesttheaudience,where,partiallyscreenedfromobservation,hehadthebestviewofwhatwastranspiringonthestage.Mrs.Lincolnsatnexttohim,andMissHarrisintheoppositeanglenearestthestage.MajorRathbonesatjustbehindMrs.LincolnandMissHarris.Thesefourweretheonlypersonsinthebox.

Theplayproceeded,although"OurAmericanCousin,"withoutMr.Sothern,has,sincethatgentleman'sdeparturefromthiscountry,beenjustlyesteemedaverydullaffair.TheaudienceatFord's,includingMrs.Lincoln,seemedtoenjoyitverymuch.TheworthywifeofthePresidentleanedforward,herhanduponherhusband'sknee,watchingeverysceneinthedramawithamusedattention.EvenacrossthePresident'sfaceatintervalssweptasmile,robbingitofitshabitualsadness.

Aboutthebeginningofthesecondact,themare,standinginthestableintherearofthetheater,wasdisturbedinthemidstofhermealby

theentranceoftheyoungmanwhohadquittedherintheafternoon.Itispresumedthatshewassaddledandbridledwithexquisitecare.

Havingcompletedthesepreparations,Mr.Boothenteredthetheaterbythestagedoor;summonedoneofthesceneshifters,Mr.JohnSpangler,emergedthroughthesamedoorwiththatindividual,leavingthedooropen,andleftthemareinhishandstobehelduntilhe(Booth)shouldreturn.Boothwhowasevenmorefashionablyandrichlydressedthanusual,walkedthencearoundtothefrontofthetheater,andwentin.Ascendingtothedresscircle,hestoodforalittletimegazingaroundupontheaudienceandoccasionallyuponthestageinhisusualgracefulmanner.HewassubsequentlyobservedbyMr.Ford,theproprietorofthetheater,tobeslowlyelbowinghiswaythroughthecrowdthatpackedthe

rearofthedresscircletowardtherightside,attheextremityofwhichwastheboxwhereMr.andMrs.Lincolnandtheircompanionswereseated.Mr.Fordcasuallynoticedthisasaslightlyextraordinarysymptomofinterestonthepartofanactorsofamiliarwiththeroutineofthetheaterandtheplay.

Thecurtainhadarisenonthethirdact,Mrs.MountchessingtonandAsaTrenchardwereexchangingvivaciousstupidities,whenayoungman,sopreciselyresemblingtheonedescribedasJ.WilkesBooththatbeisassertedtobethesame,appearedbeforetheopendoorofthePresident'sbox,andpreparedtoenter.

TheservantwhoattendedMr.Lincolnsaidpolitely,"thisisthe

President'sbox,sir,nooneispermittedtoenter.""Iamasenator,"respondedtheperson,"Mr.Lincolnhassentforme."Theattendantgaveway,andtheyoungmanpassedintothebox.

Asheappearedatthedoor,takingaquick,comprehensiveglanceattheinterior,MajorRathbonearose."Areyouaware,sir,"hesaid,courteously,"uponwhomyouareintruding?ThisisthePresident'sbox,andnooneisadmitted."Theintruderanswerednotaword.FasteninghiseyesuponMr.Lincoln,whohadhalfturnedhisheadtoascertainwhatcausedthedisturbance,hesteppedquicklybackwithoutthedoor.


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Withoutthisdoortherewasaneyehole,boreditispresumedontheafternoonofthecrime,whilethetheaterwasdesertedbyallsaveafewmechanics.Glancingthroughthisorifice,JohnWilkesBoothespiedinamomenttheprecisepositionofthePresident;heworeuponhiswrinklingfacethepleasantembryoofanhonestsmile,forgettinginthemimicscenethesplendidsuccessesofourarmsforwhichhewasresponsible,andthehistoryhehadfilledsowell.

ThecheerfulinteriorwaslosttoJ.WilkesBooth.Hedidnotcatchthespiritofthedelightedaudience,oftheflaminglampsflingingilluminationuponthedomesticforegroundandthegailysetstage.Heonlycastonefurtiveglanceuponthemanhewastoslay,andthrustingonehandinhisbosom,anotherinhisskirtpocket,drewforthsimultaneouslyhisdeadlyweapons.HisrightpalmgraspedaDerringerpistol,hisleftadirk.

Then,atastride,hepassedthethresholdagain,levelledhisarmatthePresidentandbentthetrigger.

Akeenquickreportandapuffofwhitesmoke,--aclosesmellofpowderandtherushofadark,imperfectlyoutlinedfigure,--andthePresident'sheaddroppeduponhisshoulders:theballwasinhisbrain.

Themovementsoftheassassinwerefromhenceforthquickasthelightning,hedroppedhispistolonthefloor,anddrawingabowie-knife,struckMajorRathbone,whoopposedhim,rippingthroughhiscoatfromtheshoulderdown,andinflictingaseverefleshwoundinhisarm.Heleapedthenuponthevelvetcoveredbalustradeatthefrontofthebox,betweenMrs.LincolnandMissHarris,and,partingwithbothhandstheflagsthatdroopedoneitherside,droppedtothestagebeneath.Arisingandturningfullupontheaudience,withtheknifeliftedinhisrighthandabovehishead,heshouted"Sic,sempertyrannis--Virginiaisavenged!"Anotherinstanthehadfledacrossthestageandbehindthescenes.ColonelJ.B.Stewart,theonlypersonintheaudiencewhoseemedtocomprehendthedeedhehadcommitted,climbed

fromhisseatneartheorchestratothestage,andfollowedclosebehind.Theassassinwastoofleetandtoodesperate,thatfuryincarnate,meetingMr.Withers,theleaderoftheorchestra,justbehindthescenes,hadstrickenhimasidewithablowthatfortunatelywasnotawound;overturningMissJennyGourlay,anactress,whocamenextinhispath,hegained,withoutfurtherhindrance,thebackdoorpreviouslyleftopenattherearofthetheater;rushedthroughit;leapeduponthehorseheldbyMr.Spangler,andwithoutvouchsafingthatpersonawordofinformation,rodeoutthroughthealleyleadingintoFstreet,andthencerapidlyaway.Hishorse'shoofsmightalmosthavebeenheardamidthesilencethatforafewsecondsdweltintheinteriorofthetheater.

ThenMrs.Lincolnscreamed,MissHarriscriedforwater,andthefullghastlytruthbrokeuponall--"ThePresidentismurdered!"ThescenethatensuedwasastumultuousandterribleasoneofDante'spicturesofhell.Somewomenfainted,othersutteredpiercingshrieks,andcriesforvengeanceandunmeaningshoutsforhelpburstfromthemouthsofmen.MissLauraKeene,theactress,provedherselfinthisawfultimeasequaltosustainapartinrealtragedyastointerpretthatofthestage.Pausingonemomentbeforethefootlightstoentreattheaudiencetobecalm,sheascendedthestairsintherearofMr.Lincoln'sbox,enteredit,tookthedyingPresident'sheadinherlap,batheditwith


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thewatershehadbrought,andendeavouredtoforcesomeoftheliquidthroughtheinsensiblelips.Thelocalityofthewoundwasatfirstsupposedtobeinthebreast.Itwasnotuntilaftertheneckandshouldershadbeenbaredandnomarkdiscovered,thatthedressofMissKeene,stainedwithblood,revealedwheretheballhadpenetrated.

ThismomentgavethemostimpressiveepisodeinthehistoryoftheContinent.

TheChiefMagistrateofthirty,millionsofpeople--beloved,honored,revered,--layinthepentupclosetofaplay-house,dabblingwithhissacredbloodtherobesofanactress.

Assoonastheconfusionandcrowdwaspartiallyovercome,theformofthePresidentwasconveyedfromthetheatertotheresidenceofMr.Peterson,ontheoppositesideofTenthstreet.Hereuponabed,inalittlehastilypreparedchamber,itwaslaidandattendedbySurgeon-GeneralBarnesandotherphysicians,speedilysummoned.

Inthemeanwhilethenewsspreadthroughthecapital,asifborneontonguesofflame.SenatorSumner,hearingathisresidence,oftheaffairtookacarriageanddroveatagalloptotheWhiteHouse,whenheheardwhereithadtakenplace,tofindRobertLincolnandothermembersofthehouseholdstillunawareofit.BothdrovetoFord'sTheater,and

weresoonatthePresident'sbedside.SecretaryStantonandtheothermembersofthecabinetwereathandalmostassoon.Avastcrowd,surgingupPennsylvaniaavenuetowardWillard'sHotel,cried,"ThePresidentisshot!""PresidentLincolnismurdered."Anothercrowdsweepingdowntheavenuemetthefirstwiththetidings,"SecretarySewardhasbeenassassinatedinbed."Instantlyawildapprehensionofanorganizedconspiracyandofothermurderstookpossessionofthepeople.Theshout"toarms!"wasmingledwiththeexpressionsofsorrowandragethateverywherefilledtheair."WhereisGeneralGrant?"or"whereisSecretaryStanton!""Wherearetherestofthecabinet?"brokefromthousandsoflips.AconflagrationoffireisnothalfsoterribleaswastheconflagrationofpassionthatrolledthroughthestreetsandhousesofWashingtononthatawfulnight.

TheattemptonthelifeofSecretarySewardwasperhapsasdaring,ifnotsodramatic,astheassassinationofthePresident.At9:20o'clockaman,tall,athletic,anddressedinlightcolouredclothes,alightedfromahorseinfrontofMr.Seward'sresidenceinMadisonplace,wherethesecretarywaslying,veryfeeblefromhisrecentinjuries.Thehouse,asolidthree-storybrickbuilding,wasformerlytheoldWashingtonClub-house.Leavinghishorsestanding,thestrangerrangatthedoor,andinformedtheservantwhoadmittedhimthathedesiredtoseeMr.Seward.TheservantrespondedthatMr.Sewardwasveryill,andthatnovisitorswereadmitted."ButIamamessengerfromDr.Verdi,Mr.Seward'sphysician;IhaveaprescriptionwhichImustdelivertohimmyself."Theservantstilldemurring,thestranger,withoutfurther

parley,pushedhimasideandascendedthestairs.Movingtotheright,heproceededtowardsMr.Seward'sroom,andwasabouttoenterit,whenMr.FrederickSewardappearedfromanoppositedoorwayanddemandedhisbusiness.Herespondedinthesamemannerastotheservantbelow,butbeingmetwitharefusal,suddenlyclosedthecontroversybystrikingMr.Sewardasevereandperhapsmortalblowacrosstheforeheadwiththebuttofapistol.Asthefirstvictimfell,MajorSeward,anotherandyoungersonofthesecretary,emergedfromhisfather'sroom.Withoutawordthemandrewaknifeandstruckthemajorseveralblowswithit,rushingintothechamberashedidso;then,afterdealingthenursea


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horriblewoundacrossthebowels,hesprangtothebeduponwhichthesecretarylay,stabbinghimonceinthefaceandneck.Mr.Sewardaroseconvulsivelyandfellfromthebedtothefloor.Turningandbrandishinghisknifeanew,theassassinfledfromtheroom,clearedtheprostrateformofFrederickSewardinthehall,descendedthestairsinthreeleaps,andwasoutofthedooranduponhishorseinaninstant.Itisstatedbyapersonwhosawhimmountthat,althoughheleapeduponhishorsewithmostunseemlyhaste,hetrottedawayaroundthecorneroftheblockwithcircumspectdeliberation.

AroundboththehouseonTenthstreetandtheresidenceofSecretarySeward,asthefactofbothtragediesbecamegenerallyknown,crowdssoongatheredsovastandtumultuousthatmilitaryguardsscarcelysufficedtokeepthemfromthedoors.

TheroomtowhichthePresidenthadbeenconveyedisonthefirstfloor,attheendofthehall.Itisonlyfifteenfeetsquare,withaBrusselscarpet,paperedwithbrown,andhungwithalithographofRosaBonheur's"HorseFair,"anengravedcopyofHerring's"VillageBlacksmith,"andtwosmallerones,of"TheStable"and"TheBarnYard,"fromthesameartist.Atableandbureau,spreadwithcrotchetwork,eightchairsandthebed,wereallthefurniture.Uponthisbed,alowwalnutfour-poster,laythedyingPresident;thebloodoozingfromthefrightfulwoundinhisheadandstainingthepillow.Allthatthe

medicalskillofhalfadozenaccomplishedsurgeonscoulddohadbeendonetoprolongalifeevidentlyebbingfromamortalhurt.

SecretaryStanton,justarrivedfromthebedsideofMr.Seward,askedSurgeon-GeneralBarneswhatwasMr.Lincoln'scondition."Ifear,Mr.Stanton,thatthereisnohope.""O,no,general;no,no;"andtheman,ofallothers,apparentlystrangetotears,sankdownbesidethebed,thehot,bitterevidencesofanawfulsorrowtricklingthroughhisfingerstothefloor.SenatorSumnersatontheoppositesideofthebed,holdingoneofthePresident'shandsinhisown,andsobbingwithkindredgrief.SecretaryWellesstoodatthefootofthebed,hisfacehidden,hisframeshakenwithemotion.GeneralHalleck,Attorney-GeneralSpeed,Postmaster-GeneralDennison,M.B.Field,AssistantSecretaryof

theTreasury,JudgeOtto,GeneralMeigs,andothers,visitedthechamberattimes,andthenretired.Mrs.Lincoln--butthereisnoneedtospeakofher.Mrs.SenatorDixonsoonarrived,andremainedwithherthroughthenight.Allthroughthenight,whilethehorror-strickencrowdsoutsidesweptandgatheredalongthestreets,whilethemilitaryandpolicewerepatrollingandweavingacordonaroundthecity;whilemenwerearmingandaskingeachother,"Whatvictimnext?"whilethetelegraphwassendingthenewsfromcitytocityoverthecontinent,andwhilethetwoassassinswerespeedingunharmeduponfleethorsesfaraway--hischosenfriendswatchedaboutthedeath-bedofthehighestofthenation.OccasionallyDr.Gurley,pastorofthechurchwhereMr.Lincolnhabituallyattended,kneltdowninprayer.OccasionallyMrs.Lincolnandhersons,entered,tofindnohopeandtogobackto

ceaselessweeping.Membersofthecabinet,senators,representatives,generals,andothers,tookturnsatthebedside.Chief-JusticeChaseremaineduntilalatehour,andreturnedinthemorning.SecretaryMcCullochremainedaconstantwatcheruntil5A.M.NotagleamofconsciousnessshoneacrossthevisageofthePresidentuptohisdeath--aquiet,peacefuldeathatlast--whichcameattwenty-twominutespastsevenA.M.AroundthebedsideatthistimewereSecretariesStanton,Welles,Usher,Attorney-GeneralSpeed,Postmaster-GeneralDennison,M.B.Field,AssistantSecretaryoftheTreasury,JudgeOtto,AssistantSecretaryoftheInterior,GeneralHalleck,GeneralMeigs,


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SenatorSumner,F.R.Andrews,ofNew-York,GeneralTodd,ofDacotah,JohnHay,privatesecretary,GovernorOglesby,ofIllinois,GeneralFarnsworth,Mrs.andMissKenny,MissHarris,CaptainRobertLincoln,sonofthePresident,andDrs.E.W.Abbott,R.K.Stone,C.D.Gatch,NealHall,andLeiberman.Rev.Dr.Gurley,aftertheevent,kneltwithallaroundinprayer,andthen,enteringtheadjoiningroomwhereweregatheredMrs.Lincoln,CaptainRobertLincoln,Mr.JohnHay,andothers,prayedagain.Soonafter9o'clocktheremainswereplacedinatemporarycoffinandconveyedtotheWhiteHouseunderasmallescort.

InSecretarySeward'schamber,asimilaralthoughnotsosolemnasceneprevailed;betweenthatchamberandtheoneoccupiedbyPresidentLincoln,visitorsalternatedtoandfrothroughthenight.Ithadbeenearlyascertainedthatthewoundsofthesecretarywerenotlikelytoprovemortal.Awireinstrument,torelievethepainwhichhesufferedfrompreviousinjuries,preventedtheknifeoftheassassinfromstrikingtoodeep.Mr.FrederickSeward'sinjuriesweremoreserious.Hisforeheadwasbrokeninbytheblowfrom,thepistol,anduptothishourhehasremainedperfectlyunconscious.Theoperationoftrepanningtheskullhasbeenperformed,butlittlehopeishadofhisrecovery.MajorSewardwillgetwell.Mr.Hansell'sconditionissomewhatdoubtful.

SecretarySeward,whocannotspeak,wasnotinformedofthe

assassinationofthePresident,andtheinjuryofhisson,untilyesterday.HehadbeenworryingastowhyMr.Lincolndidnotvisithim."Whydoes'ntthePresidentcometoseeme?"heaskedwithhispencil."WhereisFrederick--whatisthematterwithhim?"Perceivingthenervousexcitementwhichthesedoubtsoccasioned,aconsultationwashad,atwhichitwasfinallydeterminedthatitwouldbebesttoletthesecretaryknowtheworst.SecretaryStantonwaschosentotellhim.SittingdownbesideMr.Seward'sbed,yesterdayafternoon,hethereforerelatedtohimafullaccountofthewholeaffair.Mr.Sewardwassosurprisedandshockedthatheraisedonehandinvoluntarily,andgroaned.Suchistheconditionofaffairsatthisstageoftheterror.Thepursuitoftheassassinshascommenced;thetownisfullofwildandbaselessrumors;muchthatissaidisstirring,littleisreliable.I

tellittoyouasIgetit,butfancyismoreprolificthantruth:bepatient![Footnote:ThefactsabovehadbeencollectedbyMr.JeromeB.Stillion,beforemyarrivalinWashington:thearrangementofthemismyown.]

LETTERII.

THEOBSEQUIESINWASHINGTON.

Washington,April19,(Evening).

ThemostsignificantandmostcreditablecelebrationeverheldinWashingtonhasjusttranspired.AgoodrulerhasbeenfollowedfromhishometotheCapitolbyagrandcortege,worthyofthememoryandofthenation'spower.Asdescriptionmustdoinjusticetotheextentofthedisplay,somustcriticismfailtosufficientlycommenditsperfecttastefulness,RarelyhasaRepublicanassemblagebeensoorderly.ThefuneralofMr.Lincolnissomethingtoberememberedforacycle.Itcapsalleulogyuponhislifeandservices,andwas,withoutexception,


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themostrepresentative,spontaneous,andremarkabletestimonialeverrenderedtotheremainsofanAmericancitizen.

Thenightbeforethefuneralshowedtheprobablecharacterofthecortege.AtWillard'salonefourhundredapplicationsbytelegraphforbedswererefused.AsmanyassixthousandpersonsspentTuesdaynightinthestreets,indepotsandinoutbuildings.Thepopulationofthecitythismorningwasnotfarshortofahundredthousand,andoftheseasmanyatthirtythousandwalkedinprocessionwithMr.Lincoln'sashes.

Allordersoffolkswereathand.Thecountryadjacentsentinhay-wagons,donkey-carts,dearborns.Allwhocouldslipawayfromthearmycametotown,andeveryattainablesectionoftheUnionforwardedmourners.AtnotimeinhislifehadMr.Lincolnsomanytothrongabouthimasinthishour,whenheispowerlesstodoanyoneaservice.Foronceinhistory,office-seekersweredisinterested,andcontractorsandhangers-onhuman.Thesecame,forthistimeonly,tothecapitaloftherepublicwithoutanaxetogrindoracuriositytosubserve;respectandgriefwerealltheirmotive.Thisdaywasshownthatthegreatpublicheartbeatsunselfishandreverent,evenafteradynastyofplunderandwar.

ThearrangementsforthefuneralweremadebyMr.Harrington,

Assistant-SecretaryoftheTreasury,whowasbesetbyapplicantsfortickets.Thenumberofthesewerereducedtosixhundred,theclergygettingsixtyandthepresstwenty.IwasamongthefirsttopasstheWhiteHouseguardsandenterthebuilding.

Itsfreestonecolumnsweredrapedinblack,andallthewindowswerefunereal.Theancientreception-roomwashalfclosed,andthefamousEastroom,whichisapproachedbyaspacioushall,hadbeenreservedfortheobsequies.Therearenonepresentherebutafewsilentattendantsofthelateowneroftherepublicanpalace.Deeplyensconcedinthewhitesatinstuffingofhiscoffin,thePresidentlieslikeoneasleep.Thebroad,high,beautifulroomislikethevarnishedinteriorofavault.Thefrescoedceilingwearsthenationalshield,somepointed

vasesfilledwithflowersandfruit,andthreeemblazoningsofgiltpendantfromwhichareshroudedchandeliers.Apurplishgrayistheprevailingtintoftheceiling.Thecorniceissilverwhite,setoffbyavelvetcrimson.Thewallpaperisgoldandred,brokenbyeightloftymirrors,whicharechastelymarginedwithblackandfacedwithfleece.

Theirimperfectsurfacesreflecttheloftycatafalque,anopencanopyofsolemnalapaca,linedwithtastefulsatinofcreamishlead,loopedatthecurvingroofanddroppingtothefourcornersinhalftransparenttapestry.Beneaththeroof,thehalflightshinesuponastageoffreshandfragrantflowers,up-bearingalong,highcoffin.Whitelaceofpuresilverpendantfromtheborderthrowsamildshimmeruponthesolidsilvertraceryhingesandemblazonings.Acrossofliliesstandsatthe

head,ananchorofrosesatthefoot.Thelidisdrawnbacktoshowthefaceandbosom,andonthecoffintopareheather,preciousflowers,andsprigsofgreen.Thiscatafalque,orinplainwords,thiscoffinsetuponaplatformandcanopied,hasarounditasufficientspaceofBrusselscarpet,andonthreesidesofthisthereareraisedstepscoveredwithblack,onwhichthehonoredvisitorsaretostand.

Thefourthsideisbare,saveofasinglerowofchairssometwentyinnumber,onwhichthereportersaretosit.Theodoroftheroomisfreshandhealthy;theshadeissolemn,withoutbeingoppressive.Allisrich,


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simple,andspacious,andinsuchsortasanykingmightwishtolie.Approachandlookatthedeadman.

Deathhasfastenedintohisfrozenfaceallthecharacterandidiosyncrasyoflife.Hehasnotchangedonelineofhisgrave,grotesquecountenance,norsmoothedoutasinglefeature.Thehueisratherbloodlessandleaden;buthewasalwaysallow.Thedarkeyebrowsseemabruptlyarched;thebeard,whichwillgrownomore,isshavedclose,savethetuftattheshortsmallchin.Themouthisshut,likethatofonewhohadputthefootdownfirm,andsoaretheeyes,whichlookascalmasslumber.Thecollarisshortandawkward,turnedoverthestiffelasticcravat,andwhateverenergyorhumorortendergravitymarkedthelivingfaceishardenedintoitspulselessoutline.Nocorpseintheworldisbetterpreparedaccordingtoappearances.Thewhitesatinarounditreflectssufficientlightuponthefacetoshowusthatdeathisreallythere;buttherearesweetrosesandearlymagnolias,andthebalmiestofliliesstrewnaround,asiftheflowershadbeguntobloomevenuponhiscoffin.Lookingonuninterruptedly!forthereisnopressure,andhenceforwardtheplacewillbethrongedwithgazerswhowilltakefromthesightitssuggestivenessandrespect.Threeyearsago,whenlittleWillieLincolndied,DoctorsBrownandAlexander,theembalmersorinjectors,preparedhisbodysohandsomelythatthePresidenthadittwicedisinterredtolookuponit.Thesamemen,inthesameway,havemadeperpetualthesebelovedlineaments.Thereisnowno

bloodinthebody;itwasdrainedbythejugularveinandsacredlypreserved,andthroughacuttingontheinsideofthethightheemptybloodvesselswerechargedwithachemicalpreparationwhichsoonhardenedtotheconsistenceofstone.Thelongandbonybodyisnowhardandstiff,sothatbeyonditspresentpositionitcannotbemovedanymorethanthearmsorlegsofastatue.Ithasundergonemanychanges.Thescalphasbeenremoved,thebraintakenout,thechestopenedandthebloodemptied.AllthatweseeofAbrahamLincoln,socunninglycontemplatedinthissplendidcoffin,isamereshell,aneffigy,asculpture.Heliesinsleep,butitisthesleepofmarble.Allthatmadethisfleshvital,sentient,andaffectionateisgoneforever.

TheofficerspresentareGeneralsHunterandDyerandtwostaff

captains.Hunter,compactanddarkandreticent,walksabouttheemptychamberinfulluniform,hisbrightbuttonsandsashandswordcontrastingwithhisdarkblueuniform,gauntletsuponhishands,crapeonhisarmandblade,hiscordedhatinhishands,apapercollarjustapparentabovehisvelvettips,andnowandthenhespeakstoCaptainNesmithorCaptainDewes,ofGeneralHarding'sstaff,ratherasonewhowishescompanythanonewhohasanythingtosay.Histwosilverstarsuponhisshouldershinedimlyinthedrapedapartment.HewasoneofthefirstinthewartourgethemeasureswhichMr.Lincolnafterwardadopted.Theaidswalktoandfro,selectedwithoutreferencetoanyassociationwiththelatePresident.Theirclothesarerich,theirswordswearmourning,theygoinsilence,everythingisfunereal.Inthedeeply-drapedmirrorsstrangemiragesareseen,asinthecoffinscene

of"LucretiaBorgia,"wherealltheduskyperspectivesbearvistasofgloomypalls.Theupholsterersmaketimidnoisesofdrivingnailsandspreadingtapestry;butsaveourselvesandthesefewwatchersandworkers,onlythedeadishere.TheWhiteHouse,soill-appreciatedincommontimes,isseentobecapaciousandelegant--nodisgracetothenationevenintheeyesofthoseforeignfolkofrankwhoshallgatherheredirectly.

Aswesitbrooding,withthepallstraightbeforeus,thefuneralgunsareheardindistinctlyboomingfromthefarforts,withthetapofdrums


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intheserriedstreetwithout,wheretroopsandcitizensareformingforthegrandprocession.Weseethroughthewindowinthebeautifulspringdaythatthegrassisbrightlygreen;andallthetreesinblossom,showusthroughtheirarchwaysthebronzeandmarblestatuesbreakingthehorizon.Butthereisoneatanupperwindow,seeingallthisthroughhertears,towhomthebeautifulnoon,withitswealthofzephyrsandsweets,canwaftnogratulation.Thefatherofherchildren,theconfidantofheraffectionandambition,haspassedfromlifeintoimmortality,andliesbelow,dumb,coldmurdered.ThefeelingofsympathyforMrs.Lincolnisaswide-spreadastheregretforthechiefmagistrate.Whateverindiscretionsshemayhavecommittedintheabrupttransitionfromplainnesstopowerarenowforgivenandforgotten.Sheandhersonsarethepropertyofthenationassociatedwithitstruestgloriesanditsworstbereavement.Byandbytheguestsdropin,hatinhand,wearingupontheirsleeveswavingcrape;andsomeofthemslipuptothecoffintocarryawayalastimpressionofthefadingface.

Butthefirstaccessionofforceisthatoftheclergy,sixtyinnumber.Theyaredevoutlookingmen,darklyattired,andhavecomefromalltheneighboringcitiestorepresenteverydenomination.Fiveyearsagothesewerewranglingoverslaveryasatheologicalquestion,andatthebeginningofthewaritwashard,inmanyoftheirbodies,tocarryloyalresolutions,To-daythereareheresuchsinceremournersasRobertPattison,oftheMethodistchurch,whopassedmuchofhislifeamong

slavesandmasters.HeandtheresthavecometobelievethatthePresidentwaswiseandright,andfollowhimtohisgrave,astheapostlestheinterredoncalvary.Alltheseretiretothesouthendoftheroom,facingthefeetofthecorpse,andstandtheresilentlytowaitforthecomingofothers.VerysoonthisEastroomisfilledwiththerepresentativeintelligenceoftheentirenation.Thegovernorsofstatesstandonthedaisnexttotheheadofthecoffin,withthevariedfeaturesofCurtin,Brough,Fenton,Stone,OglesbyandIngraham.Behindthemarethemayorsandcouncilmenofmanytownspayingtheirlastrespectstotherepresentativeofthesourceofallmunicipalfreedom.TotheirleftarethecorporateofficersofWashington,zealoustomakethisday'sfuneralhonorsatonefortheshameoftheassassination.Withthesearesprinkledmanyscarredandworthysoldierswhohavebornethe

burdenofthegrandwar,andstandbeforethisshapetheylovedinquietcivilreverence.

Stillfurtherdownthestepsandclosertothecatafalquerestthefamiliarfacesofmanyofourgreatestgenerals--themanlyfeaturesofAugur,whosebloodIhaveseentricklingforthuponthefieldofbattle;theopenalmost,beardlesscontourofHalleck,whohasoftentalkedofsiegesandcampaignswiththishomelygentlemanwhoisgoingtothegrave.Therearemanymorebrightstarstwinklingincontiguousshoulderbars,butsittinginachairuponthebefloweredcarpetisUlyssesGrant,whohaslivedacenturyinthelastthreeweeksandcomesto-daytoaddthelusterofhisironfacetothisthrillingandsaddenedpicture.Hewearswhiteglovesandsash,andisswarthy,nervous,and

almosttearful,hisfeetcrossed,hissquarerecedingheadturningnowherenowthere,histrebleconstellationblazingupontheleftshoulderonly,buthiddenontheright,andIseemtoreaduponhiscompactfeaturestheindurateandobstinatewilltofight,onthelinehehasselected,thehonorofthecountrythroughanyperil,asifhehadswornitbytheslainman'sbier--hisstate-fellow,patron,andfriend.HerealsoisGeneralMcCallum,whohasseamedtherebelliousSouthwithmilitaryroadstosendvictoryalongthem,andbringbackthegroaningandthescarred.Theseandtherestaregrandhistoricfigures,worthyofallartisticdepiction.Theyhavelookedsooftenintothemortar's


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mouth,thatnobravo'sbladecanmakethemwince.Doyouseethethin-haired,conicalheadofthevikingFarragut,closebyGeneralGrant,withmanynavalheroesclosebehind,storm-beaten,andeveryinchAmericansinthoughtandphysiognomy?

Whatthinktheforeignambassadorsofsuchmen,inthelightoftheirownoverloadedbodies,wheremeaninglessorders,crosses,andribbonsshinedimlyinthefunerallight?Theselegationsnumber,perhaps,ahundredmen,ofallcivilizedraces,--theSardinianenvoy,jetty-eyed,toweringabovetherest.Buttheyarestillandrespectful,gatheredthusbyaslainruler,toseehowworthyistherepublichehaspreserved.Whateversympathythesehaveforourinstitutions,IthinkthatinsuchaudiencetheymusthavebeenimpressedwiththefutilityofanythoughtthateitheronecitizenrightoroneterritorialinchcaneverbetornfromtheUnitedStates.Nottospeakdisparaginglyofthesenobleguests,Iwasstruckwiththesuperiorfacialenergyofourownpublicservants,whoweregenerallylarger,andbrighter-faced,bornofthataristocracywhichtookitspatentfromTubalCain,andAbelthegoatherd,andgraduatedinAbrahamLincoln.TheHaytienminister,swarthyandfiery-faced,isconspicuousamongthese.

Butnearerdown,andjustoppositethecatafalquesothatitisperpendiculartothedirectionofvision,standthecentralpowersofourgovernment,itsPresidentandcounsellors.PresidentJohnsonis

facingthemiddleofthecoffinupontheloweststep;hishandsarecrosseduponhisbreast,hisdarkclothingjustrevealinghisplaitedshirt,anduponhisfull,plethoric,shavenface,broadandseverelycompact,twotellinggrayeyesrestunderathoughtfulbrow,whoseturninghairisstraightandsmooth.BesidehimareVice-PresidentHamlin,whomhesucceeded,andex-GovernorKing,hismostintimatefriend,wholendstotherulingseverityoftheplaceahalfFalstaffianepisode.Thecabinetarebehind,asifarrangedforadaguerreotypist,Stanton,shortandquicksilvery,inlonggoateeandglasses,instuntedcontrasttothetallandsnow-tippedshapeofMr.Welleswiththerest,practicalandattentive,andattheirsideisSecretaryChase,high,dignified,andhandsome,withfoldedarms,listening,butundemonstrative,ahalf-foothigherthananyspectator,anddividing

withCharlesSumner,whoisnearby,thepreferenceformanlybeautyinage.WithMr.ChaseareotherjusticesoftheSupremeCourtandtotheirleft,nearthefeetofthecorpse,arethereverendsenators,representingtheoldestandtheneweststates--splendidfaces,alittlewornwithearlyandlatertoils,backedupbythehigh,classicalfeaturesofColonelForney,theirsecretary.Beyondaretherepresentativesandleadingofficialsofthevariousdepartments,withafewoddfolkslikeGeorgeFrancisTrain,exquisiteasever,and,forthistimeonly,withnothingtosay.

Closebythecorpsesittherelativesofthedeceased,plain,honest,hardypeople,typicalasmuchofthesimplicityofourinstitutionsasofMr.Lincoln'sself-madeeminence.NobloodrelativesofMr.Lincoln

weretobefound.Itisasingularevidenceofthepovertyofhisorigin,andthereforeofhisexceedinggoodreport,that,exceptinghisimmediatefamily,noneansweringtohisnamecouldbediscovered.Mrs.Lincoln'srelativeswerepresent,however,insomeforce.Dr.LymanBeecherTodd,GeneralJohnB.S.Todd,C.M.Smith,Esq.,andMr.N.W.Edwards,thelatePresident'sbrother-in-law,plain,self-madepeoplewerehereandweresincerelyaffected.CaptainRobertLincolnsatduringtheserviceswithhisfaceinhishandkerchiefweepingquietly,andlittleTadhisfaceredandheated,criedasifhisheartwouldbreak.Mrs.Lincoln,weak,worn,andnervous,didnotentertheEastroomnor


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followtheremains.Shewasthechiefmagistrate'sladyyesterday;to-dayawidowbearingonlyanimmortalname.AmongtheneighborsofthelatePresident,whocamefromafartopayrespecttohisremains,wasoneoldgentlemanwholeftRichmondonSunday.Ihadbeenupontheboatwithhimandheardhiminhotwranglewithsomeofficerswhoadvisedthesummaryexecutionofallrebelleaders.Thistheoldmanopposed,whenthefeelingagainsthimbecamesointensethathewascompelledtoretire.Hecounselledmercy,goodfaith,andforgiveness.To-day,themenwhohadcalledhimatraitor,sawhimamongthefamilymourners,bentwithgrief.Allthesearewaitinginsolemnlines,standingerect,withaspaceofseveralfeetbetweenthemandthecoffin,andthereisnobustlenorunseemlycuriosity,notawhisper,notafootfall--onlythecollectednationlookingwithawedheartsuponeminentdeath.

Thissceneishistoric.IregretthatImusttellyouofitoveralittlewire,foritadmitsofallexemplification.Inthishigh,spacious,elegantapartment,laughterandlevee,socialpleasantryandrefinedbadinage,hadoftenheldtheirsession.Dancingandmusichadmadethosemirrorsthrillwhichnowreflectapall,andwherethemostbeautifulwomenoftheirdayhadmingledherewithmenofbrilliantfavor,nowonlyaveryfew,braveenoughtolookupondeath,werewearingfuneralweeds.ThepleasantfaceofMrs.KateSpraguelooksoutfromthese;butsuchscenesgainlittleadditionalpowerbybeauty'spresence.AndthiswonderfulreliefwascarvedatoneblowbyJohn

WilkesBooth.Thereligiousservicesbeganatnoon.Theywereremarkablenotonlyfortheirassociationwiththenationalevent,butforatremendouspoliticalenergywhichtheyhad.Whilenoneoftheprayersorspeechesexhibitedgreatliterarycarefulness,orwillobtainperpetuityontheirownmerits,theywerefulloffeelingandexpressedalltheintenseconcernofthecountry.

Theprocessionsurpassedinsentiment,populousness,andsinceregoodfeeling,anythingofthekindwehavehadinAmerica.Itwasseveralmileslong,andinallitselementswasfullandtasteful.Thesceneontheavenuewillbealwayrememberedastheonlyoccasiononwhichthat

greatthoroughfarewasarealadornmenttotheseatofgovernment.Inthetreetops,onthehousetops,atallthewindows,thesilentandaffectedcrowdsclusteredbeneathhalf-mastbannersandwavingcrape,toreverentiallyuncoverasthedarkvehicle,bearingitsrichsilver-mountedcoffin,sweptalong;mottoesofrespectandhomagewereonmanyedifices,andsingularlysomeofthemweretakenfromtheplayofRichardIII.,whichwasthemurderer'sfavoritepartTheentirewidthoftheavenuewasswept,fromcurbtocurb,bythedeeplines.

Thechiefexcellenceofthisprocessionwasitsrepresentativenature.Allclasses,localitiesandtradeswereout.Asthetroopsinbroad,straightcolumns,withreversedmuskets,movedtosolemnmarches,allthegunsonthefortificationsonthesurroundinghillsdischarged

hoarsesalutes--gunswhichthearbiterofwarwhomtheyweretohonorcouldhearnolonger.Everybusinessplacewasclosed.Sabermensweptthestreetoffootmenandhorsemen.Thecarriagesdrovetwoabreast.

Notlessthanfivethousandofficers,ofeveryrank,marchedabreastwiththecortege.Theywerenoblelookingmenwithintelligentfaces,andrepresentedthesinewsoftheland,andthemusicwasnottheleastexcellentfeatureofthemournfuldisplay.Aboutthirtybandswereintheline,andtheseplayedallvarietiesofsolemnmarches,sothattherewerecontinualandminglingstrainsoffuneralmusicformorethan


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threehours.Artillery,consistingofheavybrasspieces,followedbehind.Infact,allthecitizenvirtuesandallthemilitaryenterpriseofthecountrywereevidenced.Neveragain,untilWashingtonbecomesinfactwhatitisinname,thechiefcityofAmerica,shallwehaveascenelikethisrepeated--thegrandestprocessioneverseenonthiscontinent,spontaneouslyevokedtocelebratethefoulestcrimeonrecord.Ifanyfeelingofgratulationcouldariseinsocalamitousatime,itwouldbe,thatsosoonafterthisappallingcalamitythenationcalmlyandcollectedlyralliedaboutitssucceedingrulers,andshowedinthesamemomentitsregretforthepastanditsresolutionforthefuture.Tome,thesceneintheWhiteHouse,thestreet,andthecapitolto-day,wasthestrongestevidencethewaraffordedofthestabilityofourinstitutions,andtheworthinessandmagnanimouspowerofourpeople.

ThecortegepassedtotheleftsideoftheCapitol,andenteringthegreatgates,passedtothegrandstairway,oppositethesplendiddome,wherethecoffinwasdisengagedandcarrieduptheascent.Itwaspostedunderthebrightconcave,nowstreakedwithmournfultrappings,andleftinstate,watchedbyguardsofofficerswithdrawnswords.Thiswasawonderfulspectacle,themanmostbelovedandhonoredinthearkoftherepublic.Thestoriedpaintingsrepresentingerasinitshistoryweredrapedinsable,throughwhichtheyseemedtocastreverentialglancesuponthelamentedbier.ThethrillingscenesdepictedbyTrumbull,the

commemorativecanvasesofLeutze,thewildernessvegetationofPowell,glaredfromtheirseparatepedestalsuponthecentralspotwherelaythefallenmajestyofthecountry.Heretheprayersandaddressesofthenoonwererehearsedandthesolemnburialserviceread.Atnightthejetsofgasconcealedinthespringofthedomewerelightedup,sothattheirbrightreflectionmassesofburninglight,likemarveloushaloes,uponthelittleboxwheresomuchthatweloveandhonorrestedonitswaytothegrave.Andsothroughthestarrynight,inthefaneofthegreatUnionhehadstrengthenedandrecovered,theashesofAbrahamLincoln,zealouslyguarded,arenowreposing.Thesage,thecitizen,thepatriot,theman,hasreachedalltheeminencethatlifecangivetheworthyortheambitious.Thehuntedfugitivewhostruckthroughourheartstoslayhim,shouldstandbesidehisstatelybiertoseehow

powerlessarebulletsandbladestotakethereallifeofanynobleman!

LETTERIII.

THEMURDERER.

Washington,April27th.

Justiceissatisfied,thoughblindervengeancemaynotbe.Whilethe

illustriousmurderedisonthewaytotheshrine,thestarkcorpseofhismurdererliesintheshambles.Theonediedquietly,likehislife;theotherdiedfighting,likehiscrime.Andnowthatoverallofthemthedarknessandthedewhavedescended,thepopulace,whichmaynotbeallsatisfied,mayperhapsbecalmed.NotriumphalmourningcanaddtothePresident'sglory;nofurtherexecrationcandisturbtheassassin'sslumbers.Theyhavegoneforwhattheywereintohistory,intotradition,intothehereafterbothofmenandspirits;andwhattheyweremaybeinpartconcluded.Mr.Lincoln'scareerpasses,inextent,gravity,andeventfulassociation,theprovinceofnewspaperbiography;


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butBoothistheheroofasingledeed,andthedelineationofhimmaybeginandbeexhaustedinasinglearticle.Ihavebeenatpains,sincethedayofthePresident'sobsequies,tocollectallvalidinformationonthesubjectofhisassassin,inanticipationofthelatter'scaptureanddeath.Nowthatthesehavebeenconsummated,Ishallprintthisbiography.

TheelderBoothineverylandwasasojourner,asallhisfatherswere.OfHebrewdescent,andbyalineofactors,heunitedinhimselfthatstrongJewishphysiognomywhich,initsnoblerphases,makesallthatisdarkandbeautiful,andthecombinedvagrancyofallmenofgeniusandallmenofthestage.Fitful,powerful,passionate,hislifewasasuccessionofvicesandtriumphs.Hemasteredtheintricatecharactersofdramaticliteraturebyintuition,ratherthanbystudy,andproducedthemwithavigorandvividnesswhichalmostpassedthedepictingofreallife.Thestageonwhichheravedandfoughtbecameashistoricastheactualdecksofbattleships,andhissmallandbrawnyfigurecomesdowntousinthoseparoxysmsofdeliriousart,likethatofHarold,orRichard,orPrinceRupert.Hedranktoexcess,wasprofligatebutnotgenerous,requiredbutnotreliable,andlicentioustotheboundsofcruelty.HethrewoffthewifeofhisbosomtoflyfromEnglandwithaflower-girl,and,settlinginBaltimore,dweltwithhisyoungercompanion,andbroughtupmanychildren,whilehisfirst-possessedwentdowntoadrunkenandbroken-hearteddeath.Hehimself,wandering

westward,diedontheway,errantandfeverish,evenintheclosingmoments.Hiswidow,tooconsciousofherpredecessor'swrongs,andoftentauntedwiththem,livedapart,frugalanddiscreet,andbroughthersixchildrenuptohonorablematurity.ThesewereJuniusBrutus,EdwinForrest(thoughhedropstheForrestforprofessionalconsiderations),JohnWilkes,Joseph,andthegirls.Alloftheboysareknowntomoreorlessoffame;noneoftheminhisarthasreachedtherenownofthefather;butonehassenthisnameasfarasthatofthegreatplaywrighttowhomtheywerepupils;whereverShakspeareisquoted,JohnWilkesBoothwillbenamed,andinfamously,likethatHubertin"KingJohn,"whowouldhavemurderedthegentlePrinceArthur.

Itmaynotbeadigressionheretoaskwhathasbecomeofthechildren

oftheweirdgeniusIhavesketchedabove.Mrs.Booth,againstwhomcalumnyhashadnowordtosay,nowresideswithherdaughtersinNineteenthstreet,New-York.JohnS.ClarkedwellsinprincelystyleinPhiladelphia,withthedaughterwhomhemarried;heisthebusinesspartnerofEdwinBooth,andtheyarelikelytobecomeaspowerfulmanagersastheyhavebeensuccessful"stars."EdwinBooth,whoissaidtohavethemostperfectphysicalheadinAmerica,andwhomtheladiescallthebeauidealofthemelancholyDane,dwellsalsoonNineteenthstreet.Hehasacquiredafortune,andis,withoutdoubt,afranklyloyalgentleman.HecouldnotwellbeotherwisefromhismembershipintheCenturyClubwhereliteratureandloyalty,areneverdissolved.Correctandpleasingwithoutbeingpowerfulorbrilliant,hehasledaplainandappreciatedcareer,andlatterly,tohishonor,hasbeen

awakeningamongdramaticauthorssomeemulationbyofferinghandsomecompensationsfororiginalplays.JuniusBrutusBooth,theoldestofthemall,mostresemblesinfeaturehiswildandwaywardfather;heisnotasgoodanactoraswasWilkes,andkeptintheWest,thatbordercivilizationofthedrama;henowlies,onaseriouschargeofcomplicity,inCapitolHilljail.JosephBoothtriedthestageasanutilityactorandpromptlyfailed.ThebestpartheeverhadtoplaywasOrsoninthe"IronChest,"andhisdiscomfiturewassignal;thenhestudiedmedicinebutgrewdiscouraged,andisnowinCaliforniainanofficeofsomesort.AsonofBoothbyhisfirstwifebecameafirst


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classlawyerinBoston.Heneverrecognizedtherestofthefamily.WilkesBooth,thethirdson,wasshotdeadonWednesdayforattemptingtoescapefromtheconsequencesofmurder.Sucharethepeopletowhomoneofthegreatestactorsofourtimegavehisnameandlineaments.ButIhaveanticipatedthestory:

Althoughherfamilywaslarge,itwasnotsohardsailingwithMrs.RosalieBoothasmaybeinferred.Herhusband'sgainshadbeenvariablygreat,andtheyownedafarmofsomevaluenearBaltimore.Theboyshadplainbutnotsufficientschooling,thoughbythetimeJohnWilkesgrewupEdwinandJuniusweremakingsomelittlemoneyandhelpingthefamily.SoWilkeswassenttoabetterschoolthanthey,wherehemadesomeeventfulacquaintances.Oneofthesewonhisadmirationasmuchintheplaygroundasinsubsequentlifeuponthefieldofbattle;thiswasFitzhughLee,sonofthegreatrebelchieftain.IhavenotheardthatLeeeverhadanyfriendshipforyoungWilkes,buthisportandnamewereenoughtoexcitealessardentimagination--thesonofasoldieralreadygreat,andadescendantofWashington.WilkesBoothhasoftenspokenofthememoryoftheyoungman,enviedhissuccess,and,perhaps,boastedofmoreintimacythanheeverhad.TheexemplarsofyoungWilkes,itwassoonseen,wereanythingbutliterary.Hehatedschoolandpent-uplife,andlovedtheopenair.Heusedtostrollofftofish,thoughthatsortofamusementwastoosedentaryforhisnature,butwentonfowlingjauntswithenthusiasm.Intheselatterhemanifestedthatfinenerve,

andcertaineye,whichwasthetalkofallhisassociates;buthisgreatestlovewasthestable;Helearnedtoridewithhisfirstpairofboots,andhungaroundthegroomstobegpermissiontotakethenagstowater.Hegrewinlaterlifetobebothaninduratedandagracefulhorseman.Towardhismotherandsistershewasaffectionatewithoutbeingobedient.Ofallthesons,Wilkeswasthemostheadstrongin-doors,andthemostcontentedawayfromhome.Hehadafitfulgentlenesswhichwonhimforgiveness,andofoneofhissistershewasparticularlyfond,butnonehadinfluenceoverhim.Hewasseldomcontentious,butobstinatelybent,andwhathewilled,todidinsilence,seemingtodiscardsympathyorconfidence.Asaboyhewasneverbright,exceptinaboy'ssense;thatis,hecouldrunandleapwell,fightwhenchallenged,andgenerallyfellinwiththesentimentof

thecrowd.Hethereforemademanycompanions,andhisearlydaysallpassedbetweenBaltimorecityandtheadjacentfarm.

IhavehearditsaidastheonlyevidenceofBooth'sferocityinthoseearlytimesthathewasalwaysshootingcats,andkilledoffalmosttheentirebreedinhisneighbourhood.Butonmorethanoneoccasionheranawayfrombothschoolandhome,andoncemadethetripoftheChesapeaketotheoysterfisherieswithoutadvisinganybodyofhisfamily.

Whileyetveryyoung,WilkesBoothbecameanhabitueatthetheater.Histraditionsandtasteswereallinthatdirection.Hisbloodwasofthestage,likethatoftheKeans,theKembles,andtheWallacks.Hewouldnotcommenceatthebottomoftheladderandclimbfromroundtoround,

nortakepartinmorethanafewThespianefforts.Onenight,however,ayoungactor,whowastohaveabenefitandwishedtofillthehouse,resolvedforthebetterpurposetogiveWilkesachance.HeannouncedthatasonofthegreatBoothoftradition,wouldenactthepartofRichmond,andtheannouncementwasenough.Beforeacrowdedplace,Boothplayedsobadlythathewashissed.Stillholdingtohisgossamerhopesandhighconceit,WilkesinducedJohnS.Clarke,whowasthenaddressinghissister,toobtainhimapositioninthecompanyoftheArchStreetTheateratPhiladelphia.


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Foreightdollarsaweek,WilkesBooth,attheageoftwenty-two,contractedwithWilliamWheatleytoplayinanypieceorpartforwhichhemightbecast,andtoappeareverydayatrehearsal.HehadtoplaytheCourierinSheridanKnowles's"Wife"onhisfirstnight,withfiveortenlittlespeechestomake;butsuchwashisnervousnessthatheblunderedcontinually,andquitebalkedthepiece.SoonafterwardheundertookthepartofoneoftheVenetiancomradesinHugo's"LucretiaBorgia,"andwastohavesaidinhisturn--

"Madame,IamPetruchioPandolfo;"insteadofwhichheexclaimed:

"Madame,IamPondolfioPet--,PedolfioPat--,PantuchioPed--;damnit?whatamI?"

Theaudienceroared,andBooth,thoughfullofchagrin,wascompelledtolaughwiththem.

TheverynextnighthewastoplayDawson,animportantpartinMoore'stragedyof"TheGamester."Hehadboughtanewdresstowearonthisnight,andmadeabundantpreparationtodohimselfhonor.Hethereforeinvitedaladywhomheknewtovisitthetheater,andwitnesshistriumph.Butattheinstantofhisappearanceonthestage,theaudience,rememberingthePetruchioPandolfoofthepreviousnight,burstintolaughter,hisses,andmockapplause,sothathewasstruck

dumb,andstoodrigid,withnothingwhatevertosay.Mr.JohnDolman,towhoseStukelyhasplayed,wascompelled,therefore,tostrikeDawsonentirelyoutofthepiece.

TheseoccurrencesnettledBooth,whoprotestedthathestudiedfaithfullybutthathiswantofconfidenceruinedhim.Mr.FredericksthestagemanagermadeconstantcomplaintsofBooth,whobytheway,didnotplayunderhisfullname,butasMr.J.Wilkes--andheborethegeneralreputationofhavingnopromise,andbeingacarelessfellow.Heassociatedfreelywithsuchofthesubordinateactorsasheliked;butbeing,throughClarke,thenarisingfavourite,ofbetterconnections,might,hadhechosen,advancedhimselfsocially,ifnotartistically.Clarkewastohaveabenefitoneevening,andtoenact,amongother

things,amockRichardIII.,towhichheallowedWilkesBoothtoplayarealRichmond.Onthisoccasion,forthefirsttime,Boothshowedsomeenergy,andobtainsomeapplause.But,ingeneral,hewasstumblingandworthlessImyselfremember,onthreeconsecutivenights,hearinghimtripupandreceivesuppressedhisses.Helackedenterprise;otheryoungactors,insteadofwaitingtobegivenbetterparts,committedthemtomemory,inthehopethattheirrealinterpretermightnotcometohand.AmongtheseIrecallJohnMcCullough,whoafterwardsbecamequiteacelebratedactor.Hewasgetting,ifIcorrectlyremember,onlysixdollarsaweek,whileBoothobtainedeight.YetWilkesBoothseemedtoosloworindifferenttogetontheweathersideofsuchchances.Hestillheldthepartofthirdwalkinggentleman,andthethirdisalwaysthefirsttobewalkedoffincaseofstrait,aswasWilkesBooth.He

didnotsurvivefortyweeksengagement,normakeabovethreehundreddollarsinallthattime.TheKellersarrived;theycutdownthecompany,andtheydispensedwithWilkesBooth.HeisrememberedinPhiladelphiabyhisfailureasintheworldbyhiscrime.

AboutthistimeamanagernamedKunklegaveBoothasalaryoftwentydollarsaweektogototheRichmondTheater.Thereheplayedahigherorderofparts,andplayedthembetter,Winningapplausesfromtheeasyprovincialcities,andtaking,aseverywheretheladiesbystorm.Ihaveneverwonderedwhymanyactorswerestronglypredisposedtowardthe


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19/74

"Letmesitheavyonthysoulto-morrow!Ithatwaswashedtodeathwithfulsomewine;PoorClarence,bythyguilebetrayedtodeath:To-morrowinthebattlethinkonme;despairanddie!"

TheseterribleconjurationsmusthaverecalledhowaptlythesceneasoftenrehearsedbyBooth,swordinhand,where,leapingfromhisbed,hecriesinhorror:

"Givemeanotherhorse!bindupmywounds!Havemercy,Jesu!Soft!Ididbutdream.Oh!cowardconsciencehowthoudostafflictme!Thelightsburnblue.Itisnowdeadmidnight!Cold,flarefuldropsstandonmytremblingflesh.WhatdoIfear?Myself!thereisnoneelseby:Isthereamurdererhere?No!--Yes!--Iam!Thenfly,--whatfrommyself?

*****

Myconsciencehathathousandseveraltongues,Andeverytonguebringsinaseveraltale.Andeverytalecondemnsmeforavillain!

Perjury,perjuryinthehighestdegree:Murder,sternmurderinthedirestdegree:Allseveralsins,allusedineachdegree.Throngtothebar,cryingall,Guilty!guilty!"

Bythesestarringengagments,Boothmadeincrediblesums.Hiscashbook,foronesingleseason,showedearningsdepositedinbankoftwenty-twooddthousanddollars.InNewYorkhedidnotgetahearing,exceptatabenefitortwo:whereheplayedpartsnotofhisselection.InPhiladelphiahisearlierfailurepredisposedthepeopletodiscardhim,andtheydid.Buthehadmadeenough,andresolvedtoinvesthiswinnings,Theoilfeverhadjustbegun;hehiredanagent,senthimtothewesterndistrictsandgavehimdiscretionarypower;hisinvestments

allturnedoutprofitable.

Boothdied,asfarasunderstoodwithoutdebts.Thedaybeforethemurderhepaidanoldfriendahundreddollarswhichhehadborrowedtwodayspreviously.HebankedatJayCook'sinWashington,generally;butturnedmostofhisfundsintostockandothermatters.Hegaveeightydollarseightmonth'sagoforapartinvestingwithothersinapieceofwesternoilland.Thecertificateforthislandhegavetohissister.Justbeforehediedhisagentinformedhimthatthesharewasworthfifteenthousanddollars.Boothkepthisaccountslatterlywithgreatregularity,andwaslavishasever,buttooknoteofallexpenditures,howeverirregular.Hewasoneofthosemenwhomthepossessionofmoneyseemstohaveenergized;hislife,sopurposelesslongbefore,grewby

goodfortunetoastrictcomputationwiththeworld.Yetwhatavailedsosuddenreformation,andofwhatusewasthegainingofwealth,tothrowone'slifesosoonaway,andleapfromcompetencetohuntedinfamy.

Thebeautyofthismanandhiseasyconfidentiality,notfamiliar,butmarkedbyamildandevendignity,mademanywomenimpassionedofhim.Hewaslicentiousasmen,andparticularlyasactorsgo,butnotaseducer,sofarasIcanlearn.IhavetracedonecaseinPhiladelphiawhereayounggirlwhohadseenhimonthestagebecameenamoredofhim.


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Shesenthimbouquets,notes,photographsandalltheaccessoriesofanintrigue.Booth,towhomsuchthingswerecommon,yieldedtothegirl'simportunitiesatlastandgaveheraninterview.Hewassurprisedtofindthatsoboldacorrespondentwassoyoung,sofresh,andsobeautiful.Hetoldhertherefore,inpity,theconsequencesofpursuinghim;thatheentertainednoaffectionforher,thoughasufficientdesire,andthathewasamanoftheworldtowhomallwomengrewfulsomeintheirturn.

"Gohome,"hesaid,"andbewareofactors.Theyaretobeseen,nottobeknown."

Thegirl,yetmoreinfatuated,persisted.Booth,whohadnorealvirtueexceptbyscintillations,becamewhathehadpromised,andonemoresoulwenttotheislesofCyprus.

InMontgomery,ifIdonotmistake,Boothmetthewomanfromwhomhereceivedastabwhichhecarriedalltherestofhisdays.Shewasanactress,andhevisitedher.TheyassumedarelationcreditableonlyinLaBoheme,andwereastenderaslovewithoutesteemcaneverbe.But,afteratime,Boothweariedofherandofferedtosay"goodby."Sherefused--hetreatedhercoldly;shepleaded--hepassedherby.

Then,withajealouswoman'sfrenzy,shedrewaknifeuponhimand

stabbedhimintheneck,withtheintenttokillhim.Beingmuscular,hequicklydisarmedher,thoughheafterwardsufferedfromthewoundpoignantly.

Doesitnotbringablushtoourfacesthatagood,greatman,likehewhohasdied--ourPresident--shouldhavemethisfatefromonesoinuredtoalifeofribaldry?Yet,onlysuchanonecouldhavebeenfoundtomurderAbrahamLincoln.

ThewomenpersecutedBoothmorethanhefollowedthem.Hewaswaylaidbymarriedwomenineveryprovincialtownorcitywhereheplayed.Hisfacewassoyouthful,yetsomanly,andhismovementssogracefulandexcellent,thatotherthanthecoarseanderrantplacedthemselvesin

hisway.AfterhiscelebratedBostonengagement,womenofallagesanddegreespressedincrowdsbeforetheTremontHousetoseehimdepart.Theirmotiveswerevarious,butwhethercuriosityorworse,exhibitingplainlythedeepinfluencewhichBoothhaduponthesex.Hecouldbeanywhereeasyandgentlemanly,anditisamatterofwonderthatwiththeentrywhichhehadtomanywell-stockedhomes,hedidnotmakehospitalitymournandfriendshipfindinhisvisitshameandruin.IhavenotspacetogointothemillionthcatalogueofBooth'sintrigues,evenifthisjournalpermittedfurtherelucidationofsobannedasubject.Mostofhisadherentsofthisclasswere,likeHeine'sPolishvirgins,andhewasverypopularwiththosedramaticladies--few,Ihopeandknow,intheirprofession--towhomdivorcecourtsaresuperfluous.HislastpermanentacquaintancewasoneEllaTurner,ofRichmond,who

lovedhimwithalltheimpetuosityofthatlovewhichdoesnotthink,andstrovetodieatthetidingsofhiscrimeandfight.HappythatevensuchawomandidnotdieassociatedwithJohnWilkesBooth.Suchdevotiontoanyothermurdererwouldhaveearnedsomepoet'stear.Butthedaisieswillnotgrowawholerodfromhisgrave.

Ofwhatavail,mayweask,ontheimpossiblesuppositionthatBooth'scrimecouldhavebeenconsideredheroic,wasitthatsucharecordshouldhavedaredtodieforfame?Victorywouldhavebeenashamedofitschampion,asEnglandofNelson,andFranceofMirabeau.


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ImayaddtothisrecordthathehadnotbeeninPhiladelphiaayear,onfirstsettingoutinlife,beforegettingintoatransactionofthekindspecified.Foranaffairathisboarding-househewascompelledtopayaconsiderablesumofmoney,andithappilyoccurredjustashewastoquitthecity.Hehadmanyquarrelsandnarrowescapesthroughhislicense,ahusbandinSyracuse,N.Y.,oncefollowedhimallthewaytoClevelandtoavengeadomesticinsult.

Booth'spaper"ToWhomitmayConcern"wasnothisonlyattemptatinfluentialcomposition.Hesometimespersuadedhimselfthathehadliteraryability;buthisorthographyandpronunciationwereworsethanhissyntax.ThepaperdepositedwithJ.S.Clarkewasusefulasshowinghispowertoentertainadeliberatepurpose.Ithasoneortwosmartpassagesinit--asthis:

"Ouroncebrightredstripeslooklikebloodygashesonthefaceofheaven."

Inthepassagesfollowingthereiscommonsenseandlunacy:

"IknowhowfoolishIshallbedeemedforundertakingsuchastepasthis,where,ontheoneside,Ihavemanyfriendsandeverythingtomakemehappy,wheremyprofessionalone,hasgainedmeanincomeofmore

thantwentythousanddollarsayear,andwheremygreatpersonalambitioninmyprofessionhassuchagreatfieldforlabor.Ontheotherhand,theSouthhaveneverbestoweduponmeonekindword;aplacenowwhereIhavenofriends,exceptbeneaththesod;aplacewhereImusteitherbecomeaprivatesoldierorabeggar.Togiveupalloftheformerforthelatter,besidesmymotherandsisters,whomIlovesodearly(althoughtheysowidelydifferwithmeinopinion)seemsinsane;butGodismyjudge."

Now,readthebeginningofthemanifesto,andseehowpropheticwerehiswordsofhiscominginfamy.IfheexpectedsomuchforcapturingthePresidentmerely,whatofourexecrationatslayinghim?

"Rightorwrong,Godjudgeme,notman.Forbemymotivegoodorbad,ofonethingIamsure,thelastingcondemnationoftheNorth.

"Ilovepeacemorethanlife.HavelovedtheUnionbeyondexpression.ForfouryearshaveIwaited,hopedandprayedforthedarkcloudstobreak,andforarestorationofourformersunshine.Towaitlongerwouldbeacrime.Allhopeforpeaceisdead.Myprayershaveprovedasidleasmyhopes.God'swillbedone.Igotoseeandsharethebitterend."

Towaitlongerwouldbeacrime.Oh!whatwasthecrimenottowait!Hadheonlysharedthebitterend,then,inthecommontrench,hismemorymighthavebeenhidden.Theendhadcomewhenheappearedtomake

ofbenignantvictoryaquenchlessrevenge.Onemoreselectionfromhisapostrophewilldo.Itsuggeststhemannerofhisdeath:

"TheysaythattheSouthhasfoundthat'lastditch'whichtheNorthhavesolongderided.ShouldIreachherinsafety,andfindittrue,Iwillproudlybegpermissiontotriumphordieinthatsame'ditch'byherside."Theswampnearwhichhediedmaybecalled,withoutunseemlypun--atruth,notabonmot--thelastditchoftherebellion.

NoneoftheprintedpicturesthatIhaveseendojusticetoBooth.Some


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ofthecartesdevisitegethimverynearly.HehadoneofthefinestvitalheadsIhaveeverseen.Infact,hewasoneofthebestexponentsofvitalbeautyIhaveevermet.BythisIrefertophysicalbeautyintheMediciansense--health,shapeliness,powerinbeautifulpoise,andseeminglymorepowerfulinreposethaninenergy.Hishandsandfeetweresizable,notsmall,andhislegswerestoutandmuscular,butinclinedtobowlikehisfather's.Fromthewaistuphewasaperfectman;hischestbeingfullandbroad,hisshouldersgentlysloping,andhisarmsaswhiteasalabaster,buthardasmarble.Overthese,uponaneckwhichwasitspropercolumn,rosethecorniceofafineDoricface,spareatthejawsandnotanywhereover-ripe,butseamedwithanoseofRomanmodel,theonlyrelicofhishalf-Jewishparentage,whichgavedecisiontothethoughtfullysternsweepoftwodirect,darkeyes,meaningtowomansnare,andtomanasearchwarrant,whiletheloftysquareforeheadandsquarebrowswerecrownedwithaweightofcurlingjettyhair,likearichCorinthiancapital.Hisprofilewaseagleish,andafarhiscountenancewashaughty.Heseemedthroatfullofintrospections,ambitiousself-examinings,eye-stridesintothefuture,asifitwithheldhimsomethingtowhichhehadaright.Ihavesincewonderedwhetherthismoodydemeanordidnotcomeofaguiltyspirit,butalltheBoothslookso.

WilkesspoketomeinWashingtonforthefirsttimethreeweeksbeforethemurder.Hisaddresswaswinningasagirl's,risingineffectnot

fromwhathesaid,butfromhowhesaidit.Itwasmagnetic,andIcandescribeitthereforebyitseffectsalone.Iseemed,whenhehadspoken,toleantowardthisman.Hisattitudespoketome;withaseasyfamiliarityasIeverobservedhedrewrearandconversed.Thetalkwasonsotritethingsthatitdidnotlieasecondinthehead,butwhenIlefthimitwaswiththefeelingthatamostagreeablefellowhadpassedby.

ThenexttimethenameofWilkesBoothrecurredtomewaslikethepistolshothehadfired.TherighthandIhadshakenmurderedthefatherofthecountry.

Boothwasnotgracefulwithhisfeet,althoughhisordinarywalkwas

pleasantenough.Buthisarmswereputtoartisticuses;notthebaseroneslikeboxing,butallsortsoffencing,manualpractice,andthehandlingofweapons.

Inhisdress,hewasneatwithoutbeingparticular.Almostanyclothescouldfithim;buthehadnothingoftheexquisiteabouthim;hisnecktiesandallsuchmattersweregoodwithoutbeinggaudy.Naturehaddonemuchforhim.Inthisbeautifulpalaceanoutlawhadbuildedhisfire,andslept,andplotted,anddreamed.

IhavehearditsaidthatBoothfrequentlycuthisadversariesuponthestageinsheerwantonnessorbloodthirstiness.Thisisamistake,andisattributabletohisfather,theelderBooth,whohadthemadnessof

confoundinghimselfwiththecharacter.Wilkeswastoogoodafencertomakeuglygashes;hispridewashisskill,nothisawkwardness.Once

hewasplayingwithJohnMcCulloughinthelastactof"Richard."Theywerefightingdesperately.Suddenlythecross-pieceonthehiltofMcCullough'sswordflewoffandcuttheownerdeeplyintheforehead.BloodrandownMcCullough'sface,thoughtheycontinuedtostruggle,andwhile,ostensibly,Boothwasimitatingademon,hesaidinahalfwhisper:


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"GoodGod,John,didIhurtyou?"

Andwhentheywentoffthestage,Boothwaswhitewithfearthathehadgashedhisfriend.

Asanactor,Boothwastooenergetictobecorrect;hisconceptionofRichardwasvividandoriginal,oneofthebestthatwehavehad,andhecamenearerhisfather'srenderingofthelastactthananybodywehavehad.Hiscombatscenewasterrific.Thestatementthathisvoicehadfailedhasnovalidfoundation;itwasasgoodwhenhechallengedthecavalry-mentocombatasinthebestofhisThespiansuccesses.Inallactingthatrequireddelicatecharacterization,refinedconceptionorcarefulness,Boothwasatsea.Butinstrongphysicalparts,requiringfairreadingandanabundanceofspringandtension,hewasmuchfinerthanhearsaywouldhaveusbelieve.

HisRomeowasdescribedashorttimeagobytheWashingtonIntelligencerasthemostsatisfactoryofallrenderingsofthatfinecharacter.HeplayedtheCorsicanBrothersthreeweeksonaruninBoston.HeplayedPescaraatFord'sTheater--hislastmockpartinthisworld--onto-morrow(Saturday)night,sixweeksago.

Hewasfondoflearningandrecitingfugitivepoems.Hisfavoritepiecewas"TheBeautifulSnow"comparingittoalostpurity.Hehasbeen

knownbygentlemeninthiscitytorecitethispoemwithfineeffect,andcryallthewhile.Thiswasontheprincipleof"guiltypeoplesittingataplay."Hispocket-bookwasgenerallyfulloflittleselectionspickedupatrandom,andhehadconsiderabledelicacyofappreciation.

Onthemorningofthemurder,BoothbreakfastedwithMissCarrieBean,thedaughterofamerchant,andaveryrespectableyounglady,attheNationalHall.Hearosefromthetableat,sayeleveno'clock.Duringthebreakfast,thosewhowatchedhimsaythathewaslively,piquantandself-possessedaseverinhislife.

Thatnightthehorriblecrimethrilledtheland.Aperiodofcrippled

flightsucceeded.Livinginswamps,upontremblinghospitality,uponhopeswhichsankasheleaneduponthem.Boothpassedthenightsinperilousrouteorbrokensleep,andintheendwentdownlikeabravo,butintheeyesofallwhoreadhishistory,commandingnorespectforhisvalor,charityforhismotive,orsympathyforhissin.

Theclosingscenesoftheseterribledaysarereservedforasecondpaper.Muchmatterthatshouldhavegoneintothisisretainedforthepresent.

LETTERIV.

THEASSASSIN'SDEATH.

Washington,April28--8P.M.

AhardandgrizzlyfaceoverlooksmeasIwrite.Itsinconsiderableforeheadiscrownedwithturningsandyhair,andthedeepconcaveofitslonginsatiatejawsisalmosthiddenbyadenseredbeard,whichcannot


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stillabatetheterribledecisionofthelargemouth,sowellsustainedbysearchingeyesofspottedgray,whichrollandrivetone.ThisisthefaceofLafayetteBaker,colonelandchiefofthesecretservice.Hehasplayedthemostperilouspartsofthewar,andisthecapturerofthelatePresident'smurderer.ThestorythatIamtotellyou,asheandhistrustydependentstoldittome,willbeaptlycommencedhere,wherethenetwaswovenwhichtookthedyinglifeofWilkesBooth.

Whenthemurderoccured,ColonelBakerwasabsentfromWashington,Hereturnedonthethirdmorning,andwasatoncebesoughtbySecretaryStantontojointhehueandcryagainsttheescapedBooth.Thesagaciousdetectivefoundthatnearlytenthousandcavalry,andone-fourthasmanypolicemen,hadbeenmeantimescouring,withoutplanorcompass,thewholeterritoryofSouthernMaryland.Theyweretreadingoneachother'sheels,andmixingupthethingsoconfoundedly,thatthebestplacefortheculpritstohavegonewouldhavebeenintheverymidstoftheirpursuers.BakeratoncepossessedhimselfofthelittletheWarDepartmenthadlearned,andstartedimmediatelytotaketheusualdetectivemeasures,tillthenneglected,ofofferingarewardandgettingoutphotographsofthesuspectedones.Hethendispatchedafewchosendetectivestocertainvitalpoints,andawaitedresults.

ThefirstofthesewasthecaptureofAtzeroth.Others,likethetakingofDr.Mudge,simultaneouslyoccured.Butthedistrictsupectedbeing

remotefromtherailwayroutes,andbrokenbynotelegraphstation,thecolonel,toplacehimselfnearerthetheaterofevents,orderedanoperator,withthenecessaryinstrument,totapthewirerunningtoPointLookout,nearChappellsPoint,andsendhimpromptmessages.

Thesamesteamerwhichtookdowntheoperatorandtwodetectives.broughtbackoneofthesamedetectivesandanegro.Thisnegro,takentoColonelBaker'soffice,statedsopositivelythathehadseenBoothandanothermancrossthePotomacinafishingboat,whilehewaslookingdownuponthemfromabank,thatthecolonel,wasatfirstskeptical;butwhenexaminedthenegroansweredsoreadilyandintelligently,recognizingthemenfromthephotographs,thatBakerknewatlastthathehadthetruescent.

StraightwayhesenttoGeneralHancockfortwenty-fivemen,andwhiletheorderwasgoing,drewdownhiscoastsurvey-maps.Withthatquickdetectiveintuitionamountingalmosttoinspiration,hecastupontheprobablerouteanddestinationoftherefugees,aswellasthepointwherehewouldsooneststrikethem.Booth,heknew,wouldnotkeepalongthecoast,withfrequentdeepriverstocross,nor,indeed,inanydirectioneastofRichmond,wherehewasliableatanytimetocrossourlinesofoccupation;nor,beinglame,couldherideon;horseback,soastoplacehimselfveryfarwestwardofhispointofdebarkationinVirginia.ButhewouldtravelinadirectcoursefromBluffpoint,wherehecrossedtoEasternTennessee,andthiswouldtakehimthroughPortRoyalontheRappahannockriver,intimetobeinterceptedtherebythe

outgoingcavalrymen.

When,therefore,twenty-fivemen,underoneLieutenantDougherty,arrivedathisofficedoor,Bakerplacedthewholeundercontrolofhisformerlieutenant-colonel,E.J.Conger,andofhiscousin,LieutenantL.B.Baker--thefirstofOhio,thelastofNew-York--andbadethemgowithalldispatchtoBellePlainontheLowerPotomac,theretodisembark,andscourthecountryfaithfullyaroundPortRoyal,butnottoreturnunlesstheycapturedtheirmen.


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Congerisashort,decided,indomitable,courageousfellow,provincialinhismanners,butfullyunderstandinghisbusiness,andcollectedasahousewifeonSunday.

YoungBakerislargeandfine-looking--asoldier,butnopoliceman--andhedeferredtoConger,veryproperly,duringmostoftheeventssucceeding.

QuittingWashingtonat2o'clockP.M.onMonday,thedetectivesandcavalrymendisembarkedatBellePlain,ontheborderofStaffordcounty,at10o'clock,inthedarkness.BellePlainissimplythenearestlandingtoFredericksburg,seventymilesfromWashingtoncity,andlocateduponPotomaccreek.Itisawharfandwarehousemerely,andherethesteamerJohnS.Idestoppedandmadefast,whilethepartygallopedoffinthedarkness.CongerandBakerkeptahead,ridinguptofarm-housesandquestioningtheinmates,pretendingtobeinsearchoftheMarylandgentlemenbelongingtotheparty.Butnobodyhadseenthepartiesdescribed,and,afterafutilerideontheFredericksburgroad,theyturnedshortlytotheeast,andkeptuptheirbaffledinquiriesallthewaytoPortConway,ontheRappahannock.

OnTuesdaymorningtheypresentedthemselvesatthePortRoyalferry,andinquiredoftheferry-man,whilehewastakingthemoverinsquadsofsevenatatime,ifhehadseenanytwosuchmen.Continuingtheir

inquiriesatPortRoyal,theyfoundoneRollinsafisherman,whoreferredthemtoanegronamedLucas,ashavingdriventwomenashortdistancetowardBowlingGreeninawagon.Itwasfoundthatthesemenansweredtothedescription,Boothhavingacrutchaspreviouslyascertained.

ThedaybeforeBoothandHaroldhadappliedatPortConwayforthegeneralferry-boat,buttheferrymanwasthenfishingandwouldnotdesistfortheinconsiderablefareofonlytwopersons,buttotheirsupposedgoodfortunealotofconfederatecavalrymenjustthencamealong,whothreatenedtheferrymanwithashotintheheadifhedidnotinstantlybringacrosshiscraftandtransporttheentireparty.ThesecavalrymenwereofMoseby'sdisbandedcommand,returningfromFairfax

CourtHousetotheirhomesinCarolinecounty.TheircaptainwasonhiswaytovisitasweetheartatBowlingGreen,andhehadsofartakenBoothunderhispatronage,thatwhenthelatterwashagglingwithLucasforateam,heofferedbothBoothandHaroldtheuseofhishorse,torideandwalkalternately.

InthiswayLucaswasprovidentiallydoneoutofthejob,andBoothrodeofftowardBowlingGreenbehindtheconfederatecaptainononeandthesamehorse.

Somuchlearned,thedetectives,withRollinsforaguide,dashedoffinthebrightdaylightofTuesday,movingsouthwestwardthroughthelevelplainsofCaroline,seldomstoppingtoaskquestions,saveatacertain

halfwayhouse,whereawomantoldthemthatthecavalrypartyofyesterdayhadreturnedminusoneman.Asthiswasfarfromcircumstantial,thepartyrodealonginthetwilight,andreachedBowlingGreenateleveno'clockinthenight.

Thisisthecourt-housetownofCarolinecounty--asmallandscatteredplace,havingwithinitanAncienttavern,nolongerusedforotherthanlodgingpurposes;butheretheyhauledfromhisbedthecaptainaforesaid,andbadehimdresshimself.Assoonashecomprehendedthematterhebecamepallidandeagerlynarratedallthefactsinhis


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possession.Booth,tohisknowledge,wasthenlyingatthehouseofoneGarrett,whichtheyhadpassed,andHaroldhaddepartedtheexistingdaywiththeintentionofrejoininghim.

Takingthiscaptainalongforaguide,thewornouthorsemenretraced,thoughsomeofthemenweresohaggardandwastedwithtravelthattheyhadtobekickedintointelligencebeforetheycouldclimbtotheirsaddles.Theobjectsofthechasethusathand,thedetectives,fullofsanguinepurpose;hurriedthecortegesowellalongthatby2o'clockearlymorning,allhaltedatGarrett'sgate.Inthepalemoonlightthreehundredyardsfromthemainroad,totheleft,aplainoldfarmhouselookedgraylythroughitsenvironinglocusts.Itwaswornandwhitewashed,andtwo-storied,anditshalf-humanwindowsglowereddownuponthesilentcavalrymenlikewatchingowls,whichstoodassentriesoversomehorriblesecretasleepwithin.ThefrontofthishouselookeduptheroadtowardtheRappahannock,butdidnotfaceit,andonthatsidealongVirginiaporchprotruded,where,inthesummer,amongthehoneysuckles,thehummingbirdflewlikeavisibleodor.Nearestthemainroad,againstthepallidgable,asingle-storiedkitchenstood,andtherewerethreeotherdoors,oneopeningupontheporch,oneinthekitchengable,andoneintherearofthefarmhouse.

Dimlyseenbehind,anoldbarn,highandweather-beaten,facedtheroadsidegate,forthehouseitselflaytotheleftofitsownlane;and

nestlingbeneaththebarn,afewlongcorn-cribslaywithacattleshedathand.Therewasnotaswellofthelandscapeanywhereinsight.Aplaindeadlevelcontainedallthetenementsandstructures.Awormfencestretchedalongtheroadbrokenbytwobatteredgateposts,andbetweentheroadandthehouse,thelanewascrossedbyasecondfenceandgate.Thefarm-houselane,passingthehousefront,keptstraightontothebarn,thoughasecondcarriagetrackranuptotheporch.

Itwasahomelyandprimitivesceneenough,pastoralasanyfarmboy'sbirth-place,andhadbeentheseatofmanytoilsandendearments.Youngwiveshadbeenbroughttoit,andarounditshearththeearliestcriesofinfants,gladdeningmothers'hearts,hadmadethehouseholdjubilanttillthestarscameout,andwereitsonlysentries,savethebright

lightsatitswindow-panesasofacamp-fire,andthesuppressedchorussesofthedomesticbivouacwithin,whereappletoastingandnutcrackingandcountrygamesshortenedthewintershadows.Yetinthishouse,sopeacefulbymoonlight,murderhadwasheditsspottedhands,andministeredtoitssatiatedappetite.History--presentineverynookinthebroadyoungworld--hadstopped,tomakealandmarkofGarrett'sfarm.

Inthedeadstillness,Bakerdismountedandforcedtheoutergate;Congerkeptclosebehindhim,andthehorsemenfollowedcautiously.Theymadenonoiseinthesoftclay,norbroketheall-forebodingsilenceanywhere,tillthesecondgateswungopengratingly,yeteventhennorhoarsenorshrillresponsecameback,savedistantcroaking,asoffrogs

orowls,orthewhizzofsomepassingnight-hawk.Sotheysurroundedthepleasantoldhomestead,eachhorseman,carbineinpoise,adjustedunderthegroveoflocusts,soastoinclosethedwellingwithacircleoffire.Afterapause,Bakerrodetothekitchendoorontheside,anddismounting,rappedandhalloedlustily.Anoldman,indrawersandnight-shirt,hastilyundrewthebolts,andstoodonthethreshold,peeringshiveringlyintothedarkness.

Bakerseizedhimbythethroatatonce,andheldapistoltohisear."Who--whoisitthatcallsme?"criedtheoldman."Wherearethemen


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whostaywithyou?"challengedBaker."Ifyouprevaricateyouareadeadman!"Theoldfellow,whoprovedtobetheheadofthefamily,wassooverawedandparalysedthathestammered,andshook,andsaidnotaword."Golightacandle,"criedBaker,sternly,"andbequickaboutit."Thetremblingoldmanobeyed,andinamomenttheimperfectraysflareduponhiswhiteninghairsandbluishlypallidface.Thenthequestionwasrepeated,backedupbytheglimmeringpistol,"wherearethosemen?"Theoldmanheldtothewall,andhiskneessmoteeachother."Theyaregone,"hesaid."Wehav'n'tgottheminthehouse,Iassureyouthattheyaregone."Herethereweresoundsandwhisperingsinthemainbuildingadjoining,andthelieutenantstrodetothedoor.Aludicrousinstantintervened,theoldman'smodestyoutranhisterror."Don'tgointhere,"hesaid,feebly;"therearewomenundressedinthere.""Damnthewomen,"criedBaker;"whatiftheyareundressed?Weshallgoiniftheyhaven'tarag."Leavingtheoldmaninmuteastonishment,Bakerboltedthroughthedoor,andstoodinanassemblageofbarearmsandnightrobes.Hisloadedpistoldisarmedmodestyofitsdelicacyandsubstitutedthereforaseasonableterror.Hereherepeatedhissummons,andthehalflightofthecandlegavetohisfaceamorethanbanditferocity.Theyalldeniedknowledgeofthestrangers'whereabouts.

IntheinterimCongerhadalsoentered,andwhilethehouseholdanditsinvaderswerethusinweirdtableaux,ayoungmanappeared,asifhehad

risenfromtheground.Themuzzlesofeverybodyturneduponhiminasecond;but,whileheblanched,hedidnotloseloquacity."Father,"hesaid,"wehadbettertellthetruthaboutthematter.Thosemenwhomyouseek,gentlemen,areinthebarn,Iknow.Theywenttheretosleep."Leavingonesoldiertoguardtheoldman--andthesoldierwasverygladofthejob,asitrelievedhimofpersonalhazardintheapproachingcombat--alltherest,withcockedpistolsattheyoungman'shead,followedontothebarn.Itlayahundredyardsfromthehouse,thefrontbarndoorfacingthewestgable,andwasanoldandspaciousstructure,withfloorsonlyatrifleabovethegroundlevel.

Thetroopsdismounted,werestationedatregularintervalsaroundit,andtenyardsdistantateverypoint,fourspecialguardsplacedto

commandthedoorandallwithweaponsinsupplepreparation,whileBakerandCongerwentdirecttotheportal.Ithadapadlockuponit,andthekeyofthisBakersecuredatonce.Intheintervalofsilencethatensued,therustlingofplanksandstrawwasheardinside,asofpersonsrisingfromsleep.

AtthesamemomentBakerhailed:

"Tothepersonsinthisbarn.Ihaveaproposaltomake;weareabouttosendintoyouthesonofthemaninwhosecustodyyouarefound.Eithersurrendertohimyourarmsandthengiveyourselvesup,orwe'llsetfiretotheplace.Wemeantotakeyouboth,ortohaveabonfireandashootingmatch."

Noanswercametothisofanykind.Thelad,JohnM.Garrett,whowasindeadlyfear,washerepushedthroughthedoorbyasuddenopeningofit,andimmediatelyLieutenantBakerlockedthedoorontheoutside.Theboywasheardtostatehisappealinundertone.Boothreplied:

"Damnyou.Getoutofhere.Youhavebetrayedme."

Atthesametimeheplacedhishandinhispocketasforapistol.Aremonstrancefollowed,buttheboyslippedquicklyoverthereopened


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portal,reportingthathiserrandhadfailed,andthathedarednotenteragain.Allthistimethecandlebroughtfromthehousetothebarnwasburningclosebesidethetwodetectives,renderingiteasyforanyonewithintohaveshotthemdead.Thisobserved,thelightwascautiouslyremoved,andeverybodytookcaretokeepoutofitsreflection.Bythistimethecrisisofthepositionwasathand,thecavalryexhibitedveryvariableinclinations,sometorunaway,otherstoshootBoothwithoutasummons,butallexcitedandfitfullysilent.Atthehousenearbythefemalefolkswereseencollectedinthedoorway,andthenecessitiesofthecaseprovokedpromptconclusions.Theboywasplacedataremotepoint,andthesummonsrepeatedbyBaker:

"Youmustsurrenderinsidethere.Giveupyourarmsandappear.Thereisnochanceforescape.Wegiveyoufiveminutestomakeupyourmind."

Abold,clarionreplycamefromwithin,sostrongastobeheardatthehousedoor:

"Whoareyou,andwhatdoyouwantwithus?"

Bakeragainurged:"Wewantyoutodeliverupyourarmsandbecomeourprisoners."

"Butwhoareyou?"hallooedthesamestrongvoice.

Baker.--"Thatmakesnodifference.Weknowwhoyouare,andwewantyou.Wehaveherefiftymen,armedwithcarbinesandpistols.Youcannotescape."

Therewasalongpause,andthenBoothsaid:

"Captain,thisisahardcase,Iswear.PerhapsIambeingtakenbymyownfriends."Noreplyfromthedetectives.

Booth--"Well,giveusalittletimetoconsider."

Baker--"Verywell.Taketime."

Hereensuedalongandeventfulpause.WhatthrongingmemoriesitbroughttoBooth,wecanonlyguess.Inthislittleintervalhemadetheresolvetodie.Buthewascoolandsteadytotheend.Baker,afteralapse,hailedforthelasttime.

"Well,wehavewaitedlongenough;surrenderyourarmsandcomeout,orwe'llfirethebarn."

Boothansweredthus:"Iambutacripple,aone-leggedman.Withdrawyourforcesonehundredyardfromthedoor,andIwillcome.Givemeachanceformylife,captain.Iwillneverbetakenalive."

Baker--"Wedidnotcomeheretofight,buttocaptureyou.Isayagain,appear,orthebarnshallbefired."

Thenwithalongbreath,whichcouldbeheardoutside,Boothcriedinsuddencalmness,stillinvisible,asweretohimhisenemies:

"Well,then,mybraveboys,prepareastretcherforme."

Therewasapauserepeated,brokenbylowdiscussionswithinbetween


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Boothandhisassociate,theformersaying,asifinanswertosomeremonstranceorappeal,"Getawayfromme.Youareadamnedcoward,andmeantoleavemeinmydistress;butgo,go.Idon'twantyoutostay.Iwon'thaveyoustay."Thenheshoutedaloud:

"There'samaninsidewhowantstosurrender."

Baker--"Lethimcome,ifhewillbringhisarms."

HereHarold,rattlingatthedoor,said:"Letmeout;openthedoor;Iwanttosurrender."

Baker--"Handoutyourarms,then."

Harold--"Ihavenotgotany."

Baker--"Youarethemanthatcarriedthecarbineyesterday;bringitout."

Harold--"Ihaven'tgotany."

Thiswassaidinawhiningtone,andwithanalmostvisibleshiver.Boothcriedaloud,atthishesitation:"Hehasn'tgotanyarms;theyaremine,andIhavekeptthem."

Baker--"Well,hecarriedthecarbine,andmustbringitout."

Booth--"Onthewordandhonorofagentleman,hehasnoarmswithhim.Theyaremine,andIhavegotthem."

AtthistimeHaroldwasquiteuptothedoor,withinwhisperingdistanceofBaker.Thelattertoldhimtoputouthishandstobehandcuffed,atthesametimedrawingopenthedooralittledistance.Haroldthrustforthhishands,whenBaker,seizinghim,jerkedhimintothenight,andstraightwaydeliveredhimovertoadeputationofcavalrymen.ThefellowbegantotalkofhisinnocenceandpleadsonoisilythatCongerthreatenedtogaghimunlessheceased.ThenBoothmadehislastappeal,

inthesameclearunbrokenvoice:

"Captain,givemeachance.DrawoffyourmenandIwillfightthemsingly.Icouldhavekilledyousixtimesto-night,butIbelieveyoutobeabraveman,andwouldnotmurderyou.Givealamemanashow."

Itwastoolateforparley.AllthistimeBooth'svoicehadsoundedfromthemiddleofthebarn.

Ereheceasedspeaking,ColonelConger,slippingaroundtotherear,drewsomeloosestrawsthroughacrack,andlitamatchuponthem.Theyweredryandblazedupinaninstant,carryingasheetofsmokeandflamethroughthepartedplanks,andheavinginatwinklingaworldof

lightandheatuponthemagazinewithin.Theblazelituptheblackrecessesofthegreatbarntilleverywasp'snestandcobwebintheroofwasluminous,flingingstreaksofredandvioletacrossthetumbledfarmgearinthecorner,plows,harrows,hoes,rakes,sugarmills,andmakingeveryseparategraininthehighbinadjacent,gleamlikeamoteofpreciousgold.Theytingedthebeams,theuprightcolumns,thebarricades,wherecloverandtimothy,piledhigh,heldtowardthehotincendiarytheirseparatestrawsforthefuneralpile.Theybathedthemurderer'sretreatinbeautifulillumination,andwhileinboldoutlinehisfigurestoodrevealed,theyroselikeanimpenetrablewalltoguard


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fromsightthehatedenemywholitthem.Behindtheblaze,withhiseyetoacrack,CongersawWilkesBoothstandinguprightuponacrutch.HelikenshimatthisinstanttohisbrotherEdwin,whomhesayshesomuchresembledthathehalfbelieved,forthemomentthewholepursuittohavebeenamistake.AtthegleamofthefireWilkesdroppedhiscrutch,and,carbineinbothhands,creptuptothespottoespytheincendiaryandshoothimdead.Hiseyeswerelustrouslikefever,andswelledandrolledinterriblebeauty,whilehisteethwerefixed,andheworetheexpressionofoneinthecalmnessbeforefrenzy.Invainhepeeredwithvengeanceinhislook;theblazethatmadehimvisibleconcealedhisenemy.Asecondheturnedglaringatthefire,asiftoleapuponitandextinguishit,butithadmadesuchheadwaythatthiswasafutileimpulseandhedismissedit.Ascalmlyasuponthebattlefieldaveteranstandsamidstthehailofballandshell,andplungingiron,Boothturnedataman'sstride,andpushedforthedoor,carbineinpoise,andthelastresolveofdeath,whichwenamedespair,setonhishigh,bloodlessforehead.

Assohedashed,intenttoexpirenotunaccompanied,adisobedientsergeantataneye-holedrewuponhimthefatalbead.Thebarnwasallgloriouswithconflagrationandinthebeautifulruinthisoutlawedmanstrodelikeallthat,weknowofwickedvalor,sterninthefaceofdeath.Ashock,ashout,agatheringupofhissplendidfigureasiftoovertipthestatureGodgavehim,andJohnWilkesBoothfellheadlongto

thefloor,lyingthereinaheap,alittleliferemaining."Hehasshothimself!"criedBaker,unawareofthesourceofthereport,andrushingin,hegraspedhisarmstoguardagainstanyfeintorstrategy.Amomentconvincedhimthatfurtherstrugglewiththepronefleshwasuseless.Boothdidnotmove,norbreathe,norgasp.Congerandtwosergeantsnowentered,andtakingupthebody,theyboreitinhastefromtheadvancingflame,andlaiditwithoutuponthegrass,allfreshwithheavenlydew.

"Water,"criedConger,"bringwater."

Whenthiswasdashedintohisface,herevivedamomentandstirredhis

lips.Bakerputhisearclosedown,andheardhimsay:

"Tellmother--anddie--formycountry."

Theyliftedhimagain,thefireencroachinginhotnessuponthemandplacedhimontheporchbeforethedwelling.

Amattrasswasbroughtdown,onwhichtheyplacedhimandproppedhishead,andgavehimwaterandbrandy.Thewomenofthehousehold,joinedmeantimebyanotherson,whohadbeenfoundinoneofthecorncribs,watchingashesaid,toseethatBoothandHarolddidnotstealthehorses,werenervous,butprompttodothedyingmanallkindnesses,althoughwaivedsternlybackbythedetectives.Theydippedaragin

brandyandwater,andthisbeingputbetweenBooth'steethhesuckeditgreedily.Whenhewasabletoarticulateagain,hemutteredtoMr.Bakerthesamewords,withanaddenda."TellmotherIdiedformycountry.IthoughtIdidforthebest."Bakerrepeatedthis,sayingatthesametime"Booth,doIrepeatitcorrectly."Boothnoddedhishead.Bythistimethegraynessofdawnwasapproaching;movingfiguresinquisitivelycomingnearweretobeseendistinctly,andthecocksbegantocrowgutturally,thoughthebarnwasahulkofblazeandashes,sendingtowardthezenithaspirallineofdensesmoke.Thewomenbecameimportunatethatthetroopsmightbeorderedtoextinguishthefire,


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whichwasspreadingtowardtheirpreciouscorn-cribs.Notevendeathcouldbanishthecallofinterest.Soldiersweresenttoputoutthefire,andBooth,relievedofthebustlearoundhim,drewneartodeathapace.Twicehewasheardtosay,"killme,killme."Hislipsoftenmovedbutcouldcompletenoappreciablesound.HemadeonceamotionwhichthequickeyeofCongerunderstoodtomeanthathisthroatpainedhim.Congerputhisfingerthere,whenthedyingmanattemptedtocough,butonlycausedthebloodathisperforatednecktoflowmore,lively.Hebledverylittle,althoughshotquitethrough,beneathandbehindtheears,hiscollarbeingseveredonbothsides.

Asoldierhadbeenmeanwhiledespatchedforadoctor,buttherouteandreturnwerequitesixmiles,andthesinnerwassinkingfast.Stillthewomenmadeeffortstogettoseehim,butwerealwaysrebuffed,andallthebrandytheycouldfindwasdemandedbytheassassin,whomotionedforstrongdrinkeverytwominutes.Hemadefrequentdesirestobeturnedover,notbyspeech,butbygesture,andwasalternatelyplaceduponhisback,bellyandside.Histremendousvitalityevidenceditselfalmostmiraculously.Nowandthen,hisheartwouldceasetothrob,andhispulseswouldbeascoldasadeadman's.Directlylifewouldbeginanew,thefacewouldflushupeffulgently,theeyesopenandbrighten,andsoonrelapsing,stillnessre-asserted,wouldagainbedispossessedbythesamemagnificenttriumphofmanovermortality.Finallythefussylittledoctorarrived,intimetobeuseless.Heprobedthewoundtosee

iftheballwerenotinit,andshookhisheadsagely,andtalkedlearnedly.

JustathiscomingBoothhadaskedtohavehishandsraisedandshownhim.Theyweresoparalyzedthathedidnotknowtheirlocation.Whentheyweredisplayedhemuttered,withasadlethargy,"Useless,useless."Thesewerethelastwordsheeveruttered.Ashebegantodiethesunroseandthrewbeamsintoallthetree-tops.Itwasofaman'sheightwhenthestruggleofdeathtwitchedandfingeredinthefadingbravo'sface.Hisjawdrewspasmodicallyandobliquelydownward;hiseyeballsrolledto-wardhisfeet,andbegantoswell;lividness,likeahorribleshadow,fasteneduponhim,and,withasortofgurgleandsuddencheck,hestretchedhisfeetandthrewhisheadbackandgaveup

theghost.

Theysewedhimupinasaddleblanket.Thiswashisshroud;toolikeasoldier's.Harold,meantime,hadbeentiedtoatree,butwasnowreleasedforthemarch.ColonelCongerpushedonimmediatelyforWashington;thecortegewastofollow.Booth'sonlyarmswerehiscarbineknife,andtworevolvers.Theyfoundabouthimbillsofexchange,Canadamoney,andadiary.Avenerableoldnegrolivinginthevicinityhadthemisfortunetopossessahorse.Thishorsewasarelicofformergenerations,andshowedbyhisprotrudingribsthegeneralleannessoftheland.Hemovedinaneccentricamble,andwhenputuponhisspeedwasgenerallyrunbackward.Tothisoldnegro'shorsewasharnessedaveryshakyandabsurdwagon,whichrattledlikeapproaching

dissolution,andeachpartofitranwithoutanyconnectionorcorrespondencewithanyotherpart.Ithadnotail-board,anditsshaftsweresharpasfamine;andintothismimicryofavehiclethemurdererwastobesenttothePotomacriver,whilethemanhehadmurderedwasmovinginstateacrossthemourningcontinent.Theoldnegrogeareduphiswagonbymeansofasetoffossilharness,andwhenitwasbackedtoGarrett'sporch,theylaidwithinitthediscoloredcorpse.Thecorpsewastiedwithropesaroundthelegsandmadefasttothewagonsides.Harold'slegsweretiedtostirrups,andhewasplacedinthecentreoffourmurderouslookingcavalrymen.ThetwosonsofGarrettwerealso


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takenalong,despitethesobsandpetitionsoftheoldfolksandwomen,buttherebelcaptainwhohadgivenBoothalift,gotoffamidstthenight'sagitations,andwasnotrearrested.Somovedthecavalcadeofretribution,withdeathinitsmidst,alongtheroadtoPortRoyal.Whenthewagonstarted,Booth'swoundtillnowscarcelydribbling,begantorunanew.Itfellthroughthecrackofthewagon,drippingupontheaxle,andspottingtheroadwithterriblewafers.Itstainedtheplanks,andsoakedtheblankets;andtheoldnegro,atastoppage,dabbledhishandsinitbymistake;hedrewbackinstantly,withashudderandstifledexpletive,"Gor-r-r,dat'llnevercomeoffindeworld;it'smurderer'sblood."Hewrunghishands,andlookedimploringlyattheofficers,andshudderedagain:"Gor-r-r,Iwouldn'thavedatonmefurtous

the life, crime and capture of john wilkes booth by g. a. townsend

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