White House gossip : $b from Andrew Johnson to Calvin CoolidgeColman, Edna M. (Edna Mary)
History
White House gossip : $b from Andrew Johnson to Calvin Coolidge
Colman, Edna M. (Edna Mary)
Presidents -- United States -- Biography; Washington (D.C.) -- Social life and customs; White House (Washington, D.C.)
“The troops dismounted, were stationed at regular intervals around
it, and ten yards distant at every point, four special guards placed
to command the door and all with weapons in supple preparation, while
Baker and Conger went direct to the portal. It had a padlock upon it,
and the key of this Baker secured at once. In the interval of silence
that ensued, the rustling of planks and straw was heard inside, as of
persons rising from sleep.
“At the same moment, Baker hailed: ‘To the persons in this barn. I
have a proposal to make; we are about to send in to you the son of the
man in whose custody you are found. Either surrender to him your arms
and then give yourselves up, or we’ll set fire to the place. We mean
to take you both, or to have a bonfire and a shooting match.’
“No answer came to this of any kind. The lad, John M. Garrett, who
was in deadly fear, was here pushed through the door by a sudden
opening of it, and immediately Lieutenant Baker locked the door on the
outside. The boy was heard to state his appeal in undertone. Booth
replied:
“‘Damn you! Get out of here. You have betrayed me.’
“At the same time he placed his hand in his pocket as for a pistol. A
remonstrance followed, but the boy slipped quickly over the reopened
portal, reporting that his errand had failed, and that he dared not
enter again. All this time, the candle brought from the house to the
barn was burning close beside the two detectives, rendering it easy
for any one within to have shot them dead. This observed, the light
was cautiously removed, and everybody took care to keep out of its
reflection. By this time, the crisis of the position was at hand, the
cavalry exhibited very variable inclinations, some to run away, others
to shoot Booth without a summons, but all were excited and fitfully
silent. At the house near by, the female folks were seen collected
in the doorway, and the necessities of the case provoked prompt
conclusions. The boy was placed at a remote point. The summons was
repeated by Baker:
“‘You must surrender inside there. Give up your arms and appear. There
is no chance for escape. We give you five minutes to make up your
mind.’
“A bold, clarion reply came from within, so strong as to be heard at
the house door:
“‘Who are you and what do you want with us?’
“Baker again urged: ‘We want you to deliver up your arms and become
our prisoners.’
“‘But who are you?’ hallooed the same strong voice.
“Baker--‘That makes no difference. We know who you are, and we want
you. We have here fifty men, armed with carbines and pistols. You
cannot escape.’
“There was a long pause, and then Booth said:
“‘Captain, this is a hard case, I swear. Perhaps I am being taken by
my own friends.’ No reply from the detectives.
“Booth--‘Well, give us a little time to consider.’
“Baker--‘Very well. Take time.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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