English: Lewis Thornton Powell, alias Payne, was the (Live Oak?) Florida native who was part of Booth's conspiracy to assassinate President Lincoln, Vice President Johnson and Secretary of State Seward. Powell entered Seward's home, stabbed him in the throat, inflicted dangerous wounds on other members of the household. He escaped and hid in the woods near Washington, returned to the home of Mrs. Surratt, a fellow conspirator. As he reached the house it was being searched by officers. Powell said he had been hired to dig a drain. Surratt, when questioned raised her hand and swore "Before God I do not know him, never saw him, and never hired him." Thus was the conspiracy indicated; and evidence soon forthcoming led to the conviction and execution of Surratt, Powell, George Atzerodt and David Herold on July 7, 1865.

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