American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-05-24
VOLUME 2.
The Conspiracy.
TESTIMONY OF THE WITNESSES
THE EVIDENCE MADE PUBLIC
REPORTERS oF.THE PRESS ADMITTED TO
COURT.
WASHINGTON, May 10.


would apply at the door of the Comml'-
sion for the trial of the assasslns, they
would pe admitted. Upon application we
found such to be the fact, and we were
admitted. The injunction OF secrecy as
to all that occurred prior to the proceed
ings which occurred prior to the proceed
ings of to day remains, but the testimony
of to-day, and all that may hehcetorth
transpire during the trial is open to the
public.
NAMES OF THE CRIMINALs-THEIRC CoUN-
Sell.
The criminals before the commission at
this trial are Harold, Payne, DR. Mudd,
Spangler, OLaugh lin, Atzerott, Arnold
and Mrs. Surratt.
Reverdy johnson appeared as one OF
the couuses for Mrs Surratt, and Hon.
Thos. Ewing Jr., appeared for DR.. Mudd.
The other prisoners were represented by
Messrs. Stone, Cox, Aiken aud Clampett.
TEsrIMayY OF DETECTIVE JOHN LEE
The first witness called upon the stand
to-day was John Lee, Of the Washington
detective police, who testified that on the
night of Saturday, the 18th of April, in
obedience to the order of Major j. X.
0. Beirne he went TO the Kirkwood
House to examine the building, its roof
and upper stories, to see what way would
be left open for evil disposed persons to
contrive the assassination 0f President
johnson, who had that day been inaugu-
rated, and was yet stopping at the Kirk
wood. The witness, after making some
examination, went into the sitting room,
and met there a clerk of the hotel, who
informed him that on the day previ-
Gus, the l4th, a suspicious, vlllalnous
looking man had registered his name in
the hotel register as c. Atzerott, had ta-
ken room No. l2G, which witness found
was situated on the floor next above that
on which President Johnson's room was
and almost Immediately over the latter's
room. Witness in company with the
proprietor and clerk of the hotel, went to
the room and found it locked He burst
ed the door open and found the room un-
occupied. Witness found there, among
other things, large navy revolver and a
dark coat hanging on the wall In the
pockets of this coat he found bank book
of account with j. Wilkes Rooth and the
Ontario Bank, Canada, in which Booth
was credited, as of October, 1864, with
four hundred and fifty five dollars. The
name ~. Wilkes Booth" was written on
the inside and outside of the book. In
the pockets were also found seven shirt
collars and four pocket handkerchiefs, one
of these being marked MARY Booth. y
Witness then carefully removed the cloth
ing from the bed, and between the sheets
and the mattrass he found a large bowie
knife, about foot long on which was
some rust or stains All these were pro-
duced in court.
EVIDENCE OF n. A. JONES.
r. A. Jones, clerk of the Kirkwood
House, was the next called to wituess-box
and sworn. Witness exhibited the Ho-
tel Register, showing the name of Atze-
rott. He registered his name at about
eight o'clock on the morning of the l4th
of April, and paid his bill Tor one day in
advance, and went up to his room. On
the same day, at about half past twelve
o'clock, Atzeroot came to witness aud in
quired if anybody had been there to see
him. Witness answered, "No person that
[ know OF" That was the last time he
saw Atzeroot. Witness was asked if he
could identify this man, He answered,
eyes, could if l were to see him" The
witness was directed to look among the
fifteen persons sitting on bench at the
end of the Court room. These fifteen
persons were the eight criminals and sew
en- guards, one of the latter sitting along
with each prisoner. The witness careful
ly scanned each countenance, beginning
with DIR. Mudd, on the extreme LEFT, and
passing on slowly to the right, until near
qhe extreme right when his gaze fasten.
ed upon the face of the defendant, Atze
rott. After slight pause witness said
"This is the man." pointing to Atzerott
Witness also testified that he was present
when the officer examined the room, and
confirmed so much of the witness Lees
testimony as relates to the things found
in the room. He further stated that the
bed had not been occupied on Friday
night, the 14th; that the bed was undis
turbed, and the chambermaid had inform
ed him, on the morning of the 18th, tha
she could not get into the room to maxi
it up