Description:

LINCOLN ASSASSINATION - SAMUEL B. ARNOLD
(1834 - 1906) Lincoln kidnapping conspirator with John Wilkes Booth, David Herold, Lewis Powell, Michael O'Laughlen and John Surratt in the twice-attempted plot to kidnap Lincoln and hold him for ransom in the exchange for the Confederate prisoners. After the foiled attempts, Arnold took a clerk's job in Virginia. He was arrested in 1854 for complicity in the plot and sentenced to life in prison with Samuel Mudd in the Dry Tortugas and was pardoned four years later. Rare A.L.S. 4pp. sm. 8vo., Friendship, MD, Apr. 3, 1905, to A. E. Fostell. Vaguely foretelling his demise just one year later, Arnold writes, in part: ‘…I have been very sick since I last wrote you...Grippe, Catahre [sic], Bronchitis...The convalesents [sic]...has left me in my weakened condition...I regret to state that I have no copy of the article published by the American. I have the M.S. alone & should I succeed will endeavor to have it published either in pamphlet or book form. I am satisfied a cheap edition would pay the publisher...I know nothing of [fellow Lincoln conspirator] Jno. Surratt's whereabouts. My acquaintance with him is so limited that you may say to me he is a perfect stranger. I never saw him but three times and never held conversation with him over five minutes…'. Arnold ends with more friendly content. John Surratt (1844-1916) was accused with Arnold in plotting to kidnap Lincoln. He was tried in a civilian court and released after a mistrial. Finely penned, very good condition.

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December 6, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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