Assassination Attempt on Congressman Conkling Thwarted, January 18th, 1879

Two days ago, while Congressman Conkling was overseeing the Union war effort near Goodwill, his carriage was attacked by unknown assailants. The Congressman was attacked by fire and, what some onlookers from the town of Goodwill described as, lightning that was being thrown at the carriage. Congressman Conkling’s bodyguard Captain Elijah Miller rushed forward with some of the soldiers in the convoy to stop the assassins. In desperate hand to hand combat the Union soldiers were able prevail over their enemy and prevent the assassination of one of the United State’s rising leaders. Reports and witnesses indicate there were at least 10 assassins, but so far there has not been any word on who these hired guns work for.