The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-06-07
4 Witness for the Prosecution Charged
with Corrupt Motives.
More Testimony About DR..
Mudd's Movements.
TIE TRIAL DRAWING TO AN END,
Re-, 49,, he
TIE EVIDENCE ON TUESDAY.

WASHINGTON, June q, 1885.
nc reading Of the previous days occupied the
Doomison until O'Clock, when the body took . re-
SsM until o'clock, which hour they reasseDbled
Testimony OF ID. j. Middleton.
D. J. Middleton, Clerk Of the United States Supreme
Dsort being examined by M EWING, testified that
nArcus p Norton a witness who had been before the
burt argued motion before the Supreme Court OF the
osed States on the day OF March last The object in
alng this witness s fx a certain day in regard 70
sshich Norton, witness, had previously testified
Observation-Disclosures OF Daniel J.
Thomas.
Mr. EWING, counsel for the prisoner Or. Samuel A.
Audd then addressed the Court as follows-Dy
r. information which have received since the witness,
1aniel J. Thomas was last upon the stand ask the
privilege Of the Court recall this witness for the pur
Dose OF further examination in regard 70
sngle point I wish to show that this witness,
whose testimony is Of vital importance in the
sase, gave that testimony from corrupt motives.
expect show through five six Of his neghbors,
hat by his own declaration, made since he appeared
upon the stand the prosecution that he did it from
Che hope and expectation OF a large reward To be
precise expect TO TINT he stated TO Eli Watson,
sp the Let of June that he had testified here and that
n Mudd would surely be convicted; that he asked
Watson for certificate Of the fact that he the first
neson who gave information which led to the arrest of
NE accused; and he then stated to Watson, he could
et such certificates from him and Others he would
reward Of twenty-five thousand dollars because of the
fASs of o conviction / expect to show, further, that
subsequently,, on the same day. in conversation ut Will
srds, Benjamin Nayor, George Lynch Lcmue Watson
md William Watson, he stated TO them that he wished
Ahen to give him certificates being the first person
who information which led to the arrest Of Dr.
Rudd that he had been present here and testified, and
shat Dr. Mudd would shortly be convicted and that If
nhey would give him the certificates he desired he would
seceve reward OF ten thousand dollars by Of
his efforts IN the cause wish to show, further, that
subsequently,, upon a magistrate OF the neighborhood-
w. Misunderstanding ThOmaR
sence OF these last named gentlemen submitted to that
gentleman the question as to whether, upon his
setting these certificates, he would not be cnti-
0ed TO the reward Of ten thousand dollars in
DR.. Mudd should be convicted. It to that II
Abe witness stood before this Court fair all the test
Dony which has preceded this evidence should justly
90 diminish the weight Of his testimony in the minds
Of the Court by showing that he testifyng under
The hope OF large reward and in the light Of the evil
dcnce that he has given, that he manufactured lie to
procure the arrest and conviction Of Dr. Mudd, being
aetuated by mercenary motive.
As Assistant Judge Advocate BURNETT stated that the
prosecution would nterpose objection to the evidence
the witness called.
BY Mr. EwNG-was at Mr.. Watsons near Horsehead,
Fast day. the st Of the month"; with John r.
Richards, BENJAMIN J. Nayor, George Lynch, Lenuel
Watson and William Watson, when James W. Richards,
MAGISTRATE rode up; did not say James W. Richards
that Ind been asking gentlemen for a certificate
proof OF the the first person who gave
information leading to the arrest OF Dr. Samuel A. Mudd
neither did say had stated to them that DR. Mudd
would be convicted and that II they gave such
sthcate, and DIR. Mndd should be convicted would
secure reward of ten thousand dollars did not say TO
have just denied saying TO Mr.. Richards never ex-
Dected cent for what might do in this wit
did not tell Richards that the person who
gave the notice which led to the arrest OF Dr. Mudd;
never told any one that told the gentlemen referred to
Sodd was that he would go ups; also asked their
opinion whether would be entitled any portion
eonSicted but never asked them for certificate of the
fact that was the first to give them information con-
ssrning hudd; the other day was telling John Mo
Dr. Mudd and myself previous 10 Dr. Mudds arrest,
when John d. Moran said that told him about that be-
1oye had forgotten having told him that before the
sassnaton OF the President, but have recollection
Of u; said to Eli j. Watson that wanted him to
csrnfy that gave the information which led to Dr.
lsdds arrest nor that was entitled to . reward Of
twenty five thousand dollars for giving that information.
Testimony OF Joseph II. Richards.
BY Mr. EwNG-Am acquainted with the witness, ID. j.
fhomas; was with him and others in the dooryard OF
Mr.. Watson, at Horsehead, Prince George county,
she lst Of this present month he stated that he had
called VIM. Watson and b. j. Naylor for a certificate
shat he entitled 10 portion Of the rewards offered
for the Of Booth and his accompces that he had
Informed the officers OF DR. Auads arrest aud that If
they would certify that fact he would be entitled 10
The reward; that II DR.. Mudd convicted be would
receive ten thousand dollars the certificate he wanted
was that he informed thcm concerning Dr. Mudd's
arrest OF his having been arrested he did not certify
" having led to the arrest; the reputation Of D. j.
Thomas In the community in which he lives very bad
believed he had any prejudice or any money at STAKE
would not believe him under oath; his reputation for
yeracy before the war was pretty much the samc as
De now
CRoss-ExANISED BY JUDGE BINGHAM.
The day THIS conversation took place at VIM Watsons |
was Thursday; when rode up Le,nuel Watson re- |
marked 10 me, ~ glad you have come; you arc
Justice of the peace DAM rays he Is entitled To 10
much ana want yDn TO cay ye,sr ne II en-
Thomas said he applied 10 Watson for certic ate that
be had informed them OF Dr. Mudds arrest that IL he
could get this cert ate he could yet portion OF the re-
ward words equivalent # he had said II you give
certificate that informed you Of Dr. Mudds arrcst he
would be entitled 10 reward, that would have been
words equivalent; told him thought he was en-
led 10 twenty thousand dollars; meant IL as joke
replied that he did not want certificate OF me- or words
effect; he told me he did not want me ~ swear
TO lie for him to get twenty thousand dollars
q Didn't you swear little while ago that you bad
told him that he had better take twenty thousand dol
lars9 A. II did recall 1t; what intended 10
that told him and Watson told him he entitled TO
twenty thousand dollars but that joke; did not
know he entitled TO anything; have had no con-
shizod with IT. have been all the time during the re
eelon In Charles and Prince George oorntes teaching
school; 1 have been hearty supporter Of all the
OF the government to suppress the rcbeion
Mr. Thomas not hearty supporter OF the govern
Hent 1861; met him the way from school during
chat year. and he stated he going down TO Join the
Southern army, and when Beauregard he was
gs,ng 70 come back and hang man named Thomas r.
Smith Thomas was not loyal man al The beginning Oh
e. war
Mr. EwIso at tins point introduced in evidence the
eenerl Order Of the War Department OF goth April,
1eod offering hundred Thousand dollars reward for
de arrest OF BQctn and his accompces and liberal re-
wards for information leading to the arrest Of any Of the
Testimony OF John r. Davis.
BY Mr. EwfSG-I was at the house Of Dr. hudd, the
yvsener the Tuesday following the assassination OF
Ne Present; went 10 the field and informed him OF
W. fact mat Lieutenant Lovett aud party Of soldiers
I'D como there to arrest him came up with HIM TO the
housa and there Mr. George hudd We met Dr.
nAnuel kudd Just NJ the end of the kitchen.
mudd
Judge BNsHAs-I object 10 that question.
EWING the witness having retired from the room,
stated that his ooec, VAS 70 meet the testimony brought
fcr yard BY the prosecution that Dr. Mudd denied that
ehere had been any persons At his house that morn
ing The defence had already proved in roundabout
way hat the prisoner had informed Dr. George Mudd
that two suspicious persons had been n his house
Saturday morning. and requested him 70 communicate
Ahe fact 10 the military authorities, which he |
lad done; and he proposed to show By this |
witness that DR.. George Mudd now informed him that
~ having given information he requested the dstes.
uves had for the purpose Of questioning him on
Sh,s subiec and Dr eaml hudd the fur tNst in