Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-05-31
Third edition.
s O'CLOCK Pm.
THE CONSPIRACY TRIALS.
Proceedings This Evening.
TESTIMONY OF THE BROTHERS FORD

when the examination of JOINT. FORD flor
the accused) was resumed.
Witness knows that Spansler used to spend
much time about Baltimore Grabbing and
fishing. -, -
Witness was here shown the rope found in
Spangler's carpet bag, y hich he thought could
be used for Grabbing.
Witness went to Richmond to see his uncle
and his mother-in.law about the time Of the
assassination.
By Judge Holt Witness did not pretend to
say the rope was intended for Grabbing; it
could be used tt other purposes Witness
cannot say whether the stage boxes were locked
in this theater. In Baltimore the boxes are
locked, and the keys are kept in the office
W illness had heard that none Of the other boxes
were occupied the night of the assassination
but the Presidents box: He racollected some
boxes occupied. Booth was person who
would be likely to exercise great influence
over men like Spaugler.
RXAMINATION OF JAMES P. FERGUSON
(For the Accused
Witness noticed that the first person who
ran after Booth when he ran across the stage
was large man, Witness did not see any
other person follow. - .-.-
TESTIMONY OF C. D. HESS
(For the Accused
Witness is manager OF Growers theatre and
has frequently seen John Wilkes Booth, and
recoliects that Booth came in the office of the
theatre on the day before the assassination and
asked witness ii he was going to illuminate
Witness replied that he would on the fol lowing
night. Booth asked care you going to invite
the PresidentY' Witness said "Yes, that re.
minds me l must send that invitation" and
he sent an in vitation to Mrs. Lincoln, that
being the usual manner in which the pres
ence of the President was secured. Witness
thought Booths manner strange in intrudng
in the office when he and the prompter were
engaged; ii was unusual for Booth to come in
and take seat in the office. The passage way
OF a stage is usually Kept clear, especially
when 1t is narrow. Witness would not con-
slider leap from the box to the stage very
difficult one.
Mr. Ewing asked what box the President
was in the habit OF occupying when he visited
Judge Advocate Bingham objected; ana the
objection was sustained.
TESTIMONY OF q. N. JAYNEs.
For the Accused
Witness has known Edward Spangler Wit
ness heard the shot fred on the night Of the
assassination, when Spangler was standing
the stage towards the President; witness did
not see any one standing by Spangler, nor
did he see what Spangler did at the time Wit
ness stood behind the curtain. Spangler was
about ten feet from witness. Witness thinks
that be stood nearer the door than Spangler.
Witness saw the prisoner several times during
the piGy. At the time the passage way was
clear as usual. 1t was the business OF Spang-
Ter and witness to keep the passage way clear.
Spangler was opposite to witness When the
President arrived, and Spangler joined in the
Rjtterspaugh neat Spangler at the time.
BY Mr. Bingham.-R ttterspaugh may have
been near Spangier behind the scenes at the
time his business was there. 90 :
TESTIMONY OF F. <. DooLEY.
.s-5 (For the Accused.)
Witness is an apothecary, and was shown a
pockets, but could not identity the trade mark
EXPERIMENTATION ora.L Mupp.
49,. fFCr the Aceused.)
Witness testified that the farm of DR. Mudd
was given to him by his father, who holds she
deed tor it. -
TESTIMONY OF DR. c. W. DAVIS
(For the Accused -
Witness resides near the Navy Yard, and has
known the prisoner (Herold) from early boy
hood. Witness considered Him more Of a. boy
than man; of trifiing character with but little
Of a man about him, easily led off. Witness
did not think that nature had endowed Herold
With as much intellect as ordinary persons.
Witne SIS does not consider Herold more than %.
By Judge Advocate Bingham:-Herold un.
don btedly knows the difference between
wright and wrong =
TESTIMONY or Il. CLAY FORD
For the Accused.J
Witness was treasurer OF Ford's theater.
Witness knew first OF the Presiuent's coming
to the theater on the day of the assassination
about TX O'Clock. Booth was there about II
O'Clock, but witness did not tell him that the
President was to be there, although Booth
street, stopped talking With party, and while
there a letter was brought to him. Booth was
about the theater about half an hour. Witness
and Mr.. Rabold decorated the box. Witness
had part OF the furniture brought from the
stage, and part including a rocking chair,
from his own room. Spangler took the par
the President was there. Witness thinks the
President had been there about six times
during the winter Spangler was on the
stage when witness was decorating the
box. Span ler knew that the President
was coming from taking out the partition.
Witness used penknife in the box for cutting
the strings used in tying the flags The rock
it belonged to the set OF furniture. Booth
was in the habit OF engaging boxes, and
whenever he did SO took No. :, one of the
President. Witness heard that Booths
spur caught in the bite flag which witness
placed in the box; it was the flag of the Treasu-
placed on the box before; and small flags were
generally used, bat General Grant having been
expected with the President the flags were Dor
rowed and pictures placed In the box Wit
ness was in the office at the time but did not
see Spangler in front OF the THEATRE never saw
him wear a moustache.
By Judge Bingham:-Witness did not know
of any applications ha wing been made that day
for the other private boxes; witness never saw
bar for the purpose of fastening tie door of
the theater; nor did he know that any hole was
in the door OF the Presidents box
BY Mr.. Aiken-At the time Booth was at the
theater tat 70 O'clock the fact that the Presi.
dent was to be present was not generally
lesve the theater, and read the letter at his
leisure. Witness did not know the name Of
the messenger from the white House.
TESTIMONY or VIM. WITHRRs,
AZ I For the Accused) - tera
The door which Booth went ont OF was
closed. Booth opened it apparentlyeasil and
clos ed it, Witness did not see Booth about the
theater that day.
TESTIMONY OF JAMES B. FORD.
Witness ia the business manager at Eord's
theater. Witness first heard OF the President
coming AT 10Y o'clock on that morning;
The President had not been invited
that night. Witness saw Booth at
the corner of 10th and E streets about 12x
O'clock he was coming from towards the
theater, and was gong towards 18th street.
Witness got the flags from the Treasury De-
partment 70 decorate the box; but did not get
as many flags as he wished.
By Mr.. .Ewine:-Havs you ever had any
conversation With Booth in relation to the pur-
chase Of lands, and If so where,
Mr.. Bingham objected and the objection
was sustained.
Witness knows nothing Of visit Of Booth to
CHARLES county. except what he lBoothl told