Michael O'Laughlen Arrest Information

[John E.]

Does anyone know or have the source information for Michael O'Laughlen's (MOL) arrest ? I've always heard the story that he gave himself up to authorities at a location where his mom didn't have to witness it.

However, after reviewing the Lincoln Assassination Reward files, the arresting officer paints a different picture. A Baltimore detective named William E. Wallis was assigned to assist Marshall McPhail in O'Laughlen's capture. He went to MOL's mother's house 3 different times to see if Mike was there. The first day - Saturday, his mother told authorities that Mike was in Washington. Later that evening, the detective went back to the house and learned MOL still wasn't there.

At this point, MOL's brother-in-law stepped up, informed the men that he knew Mike's whereabouts in Baltimore (His house) and offered to convince Mike to give himself up. He FAILED to do so and informed Detective Wallis.

Later on Sunday, the Detective (who learned O'Laughlen's whereabouts from the brother-in-law) went to the location and arrested the conspirator.

The Trial transcripts differ quite a bit. PH Maulsby (MOL's brother in law) stated that on Monday, April 17, he rode with Wallis and another detective to where Mike was hiding out. He then left the detectives in the carriage and went in to the house and came back out MOL - who then surrendered. Maulsby said he failed to convince MOL to give himself up on Saturday because MOL had made other plans for the evening. I'm not sure how he could have spent a restful evening. Perhaps he was discarding any communication evidence or other evidence in relation to the plot.

Giving yourself up and being arrested without incident are two different things.

** The information I am looking for is in addition to the trial transcript from PH Maulsby - the brother in law.

If I haven't lost you by now with my poorly worded post, I'd like to know if anyone has any additional information or thoughts on the matter.