Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-07-14
SECOND EDITION.
5 O'CLOCK p. m.
THE SCENE OF THE CONSPIRACY
TRIALS.

Il
TRIALS.
The Scaffold and Grsves-Mudd, Arnold,
O'Laushlin and Spangler Still Here
Their Conduct in Prison The Rebel
Harris and Prof. Observation-Disclosures
Don't like Landing at the Penitentiary
after four years of Glorious Revolution
McCullOu:h thinks the r ebellion has had
coed Effect-Harrisd don't believe id
Word of it.
1t is expected that the officers who have been
in charge of the penitentiary building since the
29th of April last-Major General j. f. Har-
tranft, Colonel L. A. Dodd, Lieut.. Colonies w.
II. H. Mccall and G.. w. Fredericks, Capts.
Rath and r. A. Watts, and Lieut. d. H. Gels
singer-will shortly be relieved. These officers
have had devolved on them an extremely ar
duous duty since the prisoners were placed IN
their charge, and have performed it in such
manner as to meet the appreciation of the Gov
eminent and to entitle them to the thanks and
good wishes of all who have had any inter
course with them. 1t has been reported that
these officers have received promotions by
brevet, but mp to this time they have received
no official notification of their advancement.
Four of the criminals having suffered the eX-
treme penalty of the law, two of Col. Bakers
detectives have been relieved, leaving Messrs.
Hubbard and Trail still on duty in the build
ing. These gentlemen, like the military Of
Were placed here, and have fulfilled their
duties most acceptably.
The scaffold used in the execution of Payne,
Herold, Atzerodt and Mrs. Surratt, on Friday
last, remains in its place, just as it was left
after the bodies were cut down. 1t has suffered
some chipping at the hands of relic seeking
soldiers. Just south of the scaffold, near the
east wall, are seen the graves of the executed,
in the order the criminals stood on the scat
fold-that of Mrs. Surratt being the first, Payne
next, then Herold, and last AtZerodt, each with
a plain head board, bearing the name Of the
party The authorities have not yet consented
to give up the bodies.
The other parties convicted of the conspira-
CIV, and sentenced to the penitentiary-Mudd
Arnold and O'Laughlin for life, and Spangler
for six years-are still here no orders having
yet been received for their removal to the AL
bany penitentiary. Their sentence has not as
yet been officially announced to them by the
officers, although they no doubt ere this have
been informed by their counsel and friends,
some of whom have been allowed to visit them.
They seem quite cheerful, and O'Laughlin,
who during the tria! appeared to be failing in
health, seems to have picked up considerably
Under guard this hot weather, they are
allowed the range of the prison yard to exer-
else in; and the effects of this privilege is OBJ.
servable on their health and spirits
They speak but little of the conspiracy and
trial, and since the execution they have not di-
vulged anything new. Arnold and O'Laugh-
lin only reiterate what they have said before
as to the original plot to capture the President.
Mudd seems in very good spirits over his es-
cape from the gallows. He says little about
the trial. He Acknowledges that the testimony
of the witness Weichman in reference to him.
self is correct. Spangler is extremely cheer
full, talking and joking when allowed with
every one passing near him.
1t il thought that i'll day or two they will
be placed on steamer. under guard, and sent
to the Albany Penitentiary.
The Rebel General Harris and Professor
Mccullough arrived here last Monday, and arc
behind the bars at the Arsenal. Harris is a
..jolly cuss,' and is the life of the prison, he
being an incessant talkers and having a
plentiful supply of jokes, squibs, and stories,
which he rattles off on the slightest proyoca.
tiosA or no pro s,Isu
Mccullough are allowed some privileges not
enjoyed by those under sentence and they
make good use OF them, spending a considerable
portion of their time i'll the yard. Harris
is forty years old, or over, of stout build,
about feet, or inches, fair complexioned
dark brown hair rapidly turning gray, grayish
whiskers, and has scar or his nose made by
a cut He is dressed in dark suit ct Clothes of
the fashion pre- valent just before the war; and
wears panama hat. Mccullough is about IS
years of age, five feet five inches high, sandy
complexion, dark hair, sandy whiskers sharp
features, Roman nose, weighs 135 or 140 pounds
and is of a nervous temperament. He dresses
in dark pants, light gray coat, and gray shirt
and wears straw hat. He processes to be at a
loss to know why he is confined. He seems
disposed to talk, but is quenched by the per-
petual gable of Harris. Harris takes things
they come, and never complains, but fire.
quently says he would like to see his Wife
Since he has been here he has expressed a
desire to see other person.
day or two after Harris and Mccullough
arrived Harris said he would like to know
where he was. The reply made was that he
WAS in the Penitentiary of the District of
Columbia. Harris remarked in reply, ssThis is
a id pretty place for a man to land after four
years of glorious revolution" He calls his
prison the ssStanton House."
Mccullough and Harris were in con versa.
ton day or two since, when Mccullough re-
marked that he did not know but that good
would grow out of the rebellion, as it had
learned the people North and South what kind
nations had no doubt learned how strong we
were; he was not sure but that the rebellion
had done good to the people individually.
Harris said he did not believe a id word of
it, for good had come to him yet, and he
thought he was as deserving Of share as any
body else.