The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-07-14
The Assassination Conspirators.

anyIyze all OF the v0Iumincus testimony IN
tho recent trial of the Assassination Con-
spirators at Washington, will find the fol-
lowing summary of interest:
DAVID e. HAROLD.
The evidence against Harold Of having
assisted Booth in the assassination, and
aided him to escape, was clear. AS early
as February last he was found to have been
in onfidential relations with the assassin,
and was proved to have been presert on
several occasions q. secret meetings with
Booth, A,zerott and others Of the conspira.
tors. Once he was at Mrs. Surratt's In com.
pany with them. He called with Surratt
and Atzerott at the tavern 10 Surrattsviile
and left the two carbnes and ammunition
which wero taken away from the tavern by
him and Booth on the night Of the assassin.
alton. During their fight he ackno wlcdged
to Willie Jett and other rebel soldiers that
he and Booth were the assassns Of Lincoln
and he was captured 10 the barn with Booth
GEORGE A. ATzEnoTT.
1t was shown without doubt that Atzer.
OFT was co. cOuspirator 10 the assaesinat ton
plot He, like Harold, made his first ap-
pearance at Mrs. Surratts house 10 the
early part of February. iuquiripg for John
II. Surratt, md was thereafter frequently
found in secret communication with Booth
and bis confederates To him was as
signed the murder of President johnson at
the Kirkwood House; but, Notwithstanding
it appears that there was no obstacle in the
way Of its performance, be does not seem
to have made any effort to get access to bis
intended victim on the evening OF the 18th
of April. On the afternoon OF the l4th be
was seeking to obtain a horse. tho better to
secure bis own safety by fight after be
should have performed the task which he
had voluntarily undertaken. He was traced
to the Kirkwood House on horseback, about
nine O'Clock in the evening, but did not re-
main there long, and was not seen near the
house after that hour. Ho proved false to
his confoderates, no doubt, for want Of
pluck to do the murder, but is proved to
have been in active CO operation with them
throughout the night. and to have abscond-
ec at daylight the next morning, first
throwing away the knife with which he was
to have assassinated Mr.. johnson, and dis.
posing OF pistol tn at belonged to Harold.
During tho trial Atzsrott looked rather un-
concernedlv on, and at no time evinoed
high sensibiIity of bis almost inevitable
doom.
LEWIS PAYNE.
Tho prisoner is known to have been
confederate OF Booth, and to have been In.
innate with John II Surratt. There has
never been the slightest intimation on the
part of himself or his counsel to deny his
guilt He went to Secretary Stewards
house with the intent to kill him, represent.
ing to the servant, as be hurriedly passed
by him, that he had brought medicine from
DR.. Verdi. the family physician Before be
left tho house ho not only stabbed Seer eta
ry Seward, but also nearly succeeded in
killing Mr.. Frederick Seward, and inflicted
serious wounds upon Mr.. Augustus A. Sow
ard, Mr.. Frederick w Hansell and Mr..
George +. Robinson, Secretary Stewards
nurse. Payne 10 a native of Florida and
served some time in tho rebel army, from
which he deserted. He made his appear.
anco at Mrs. Surratt's in the carly part of
March, when bo stated that his name was
Wood, and afterward was a frequent visitor
at the house, staying there on one occasion
two or three days and participating with
John H Surratt, A,zerott and Booth in the
secret consultations. He aud Surratt were
discovered In the bed room of the latter,
playing with bowiekuivos. In this room
were also found two revolvers and four sets
of spurs of the same kind as the spurs and
revOlvers found in Atzerotts rooms in the
Kirkwood House. Aftor doing his bloody
wook, Payne made his escape from Wash.
ington, whittier he returned on the evening
OF the 18th, when ne presented himself at
Mrs. Surratt's house, dressed aa a iaboring
man, and carrying pick axo on his shout
der, saying that he had boon engaged to dig
o gutter. lilo was then arrested.
MARY e. sURRATT.
This woman appears to have been cogni-
zaut of tho intended crime almost from its
inception, even II she were not ite instga-
tor. Her house had been refuge for
blockade runners, and she was an active
participant in overt acts. Her character
appears to have been that of general man.
ager. Sho received and entertained all the
prisoners except DR.. MuGd, O'Laughlin and
Arnold. With DR.. Mudd she planned the
mean: :and assistance for the escape of the
assassns She visited SurrattviIle at o
o'clock on the day of tho assassination to
see that the carbines. &C., should be in read.
mess, aud informed Lloyd, the tavern keep.
or. that they would DO called for that night.
Booth frequently called at her house and
held long and confidential talks with her.
He was in her company few minutes on
the afternoon of the l4th. When confront
ed with Payne on the night of bis arrest.
when he went to her house in disguise, she
protested that she had never seen him, and
added. II did not hire him, don't know
him." 1t was proved that sho knew him
we'll, and that be had lodged a. her house.
MICHAEL o'LAUaHLIN
To this prisoner appears to have been as
signed the murder of General Grant; but
whether he failed to make the attempt
from lack of courage, from disinclination or
from missing the opportunity, does not an.