The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1865-07-27

OuilaeI WGre JOuu W. LlOyu, Tue keep-
er of the Surrattsville tavern, and Louis
Weichtmann. About six weeks before
the assassination, Lloyd testified that
Harold, Atzerott and John II. Surratt
came to Lloyd's tavern at Surrattsville,
bringing with them two Spencer car
bines, formidable seven. shooting rifles,
also ammunition aud rope. Surratt
wished the witness to conceal these
weapons, and he himself showed Lloyd
where to conceal them between the
joists and the second floor.
On the Monday preceding the Friday
of the murder, Wiechtmann was sent by
Mrs. Surratt to Booth to obtain from
him the use of his horse aud buggy.
Booth had sold the buggy, but gave
Wiechtmann $40, with which to hire
one for Mrs. Surratt. He did 80, and
drove her to Surrattsville, to LlOyd's
tavern. What took place there is lot
fully known. On the afternoon of the
14th, the day of the assassination,
Wiechtmann again drove Mrs. Surratt
to Lloyd's tavern, Booth having had a
conference with her few minutes be-
fore she left. Wiechtmann testiies
that, on that occasion, she took with
her two parcels. Lloyd testifes that
these parcels contained field glass
and two bottles of whisky; and that, in
her conference with him, she desired
him to have "those shooting irons ready
for parties, who would call that night"
1t was afterwards known in Washing
ton that other facts had como to light,
as conclusive as any which came out
upon the stand, duplicating Mrs. Sur
ratt in these deeds of death. During
the ride to Surrattsvile, on the after
noon Of the 18th, she inquired of per-
son, who lived on that road, if the pick.
cts remained out all night, and, on be-
ing told that they were called in at 8
o'clock, she replied that she was glad to
know it. On the evening of the 18th
Of April, she was pacing her sitting.
room, counting her beads, in a state o
highly nervous excitement. A torch
light procession was parading the city
in celebration of the national victories
she inquired Of Wiechtmann the d
rection the procession was taking, re
marking that she had a great interes
in that pr ocession. She desired Wiecht
mann and her daughter, Miss Surratt
also Miss Fitzpatrick, to "pray for hei
intentions" These young people were
making some noise with their talking
and laughter, and she excitcdly bade al
Of them to leave the room. Before
this, some one came to the house anc
rang the bell; Mrs. Surratt answered al
the door. 1t was afterward known tha
the person who called was j. Wilkes
Booth, who doubtless came to inquire
the result of her visit to Lloyd's tavern
and to ascertain if the arrangement
made were such that he might rely up
on them. .. ... a..
The fact that Lloyd had the "shoot
ing-irons" ready, in obedience to Mrs
Surratt's instructions, and that Bootl
and Harold, in their fight, after thei
guilty deed, did call at Lloyd's tavern
aud obtained one of the two carbines
Booth confessing his inability from hi
wound to carry the other, leaves n
= question as to Mrs. Surratt's guilt
knowledge of and participation in tn
conspiracy.
Another proof Of the guilt of thi
woman is circumstantially furnished il
, the return of Payne to her house as
place of refuge, after three days ant
nights of skulking before the officers o
= justice. He was diguised as a laborin
:, man, but was detained by the militar
n in possession of the house, and his dis
a guise discoverd. Mrs. Surratt was ask
9 ed if she knew him; and she solemn
e appealed to her God that she had neve
g seen him before. This man was Lewi
$ Payne, the assassin of Secretary Sewart
4 -Ov-