The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-09
Miss SurratCs Efforts In Behalf OF Hel
Mother.
From the Philadelphia Inquirer

About half past eight o'clock Friday morning Miss
the white House. having been there the previous
for the purpose OF obtaining interview with the
fres'dsn. rres,aSn' ,: onnson "As ,bc
doorkeeper stopped Miss Surrat at the foot Of the
steps leading to the Presidents Office and would not
permit proceed further She then aske permission
TO General Mussey the Presidents military secretary,
who promptly answered the summons, and came down
stairs where Miss 5uratt was standing.
As soon ~ the General made his appearance, Miss
Surra threw herself upon her knees before him. catching
him by the coat and with loud sobs and streaming eyes
mplorcd him to assist her in obtaining hearing with
the President.
General Mussey, in as tender possible, In
formed Miss Surratt that he could not comply with her
request President Johnsons orders imperative,
and no would receive one
Upon General Mussey's returning n his Office Miss
rntt threw herself upon the stair steps where she
NAMED considerable length OF time sobbing aloud IN
the greatest anguish protesting her mothers innocence
and imporing every who her 10 ntercede
In her mothers behalf While thus weeping she declared
her mother was too good and kind 70 be guilty Of the
enormous crime OF which she was convicted, and as
serted that her mother was put 10 death she wished to
die also
The scene was hear,rending and many Of those who
witnessed IT, including number Of hardy soldiers we're
moved to tears. Miss Surratt having become quiet
finally persuaded TO take seat in the East Room and
here she remained for several hours jumping up from
her each the Mont door OF ths mansion WAS
opened evidently In hopes OF seeing some one enter who
could be Of service TO 10 obtaining the desired in
teryiew with the President or that they the bear
crs Of good news 10 her.
Two OF Harods sisters dressed in full mourning and
heavily vcied made their appearance mt the White
House shortly after Miss sura for the purpose OF inter
ceding with the President in behalf Of their brother
Failing 10 the President, they addressed note
TO Mrs johnson, and expressed hope that she
would not deaf ear TO their peadings Mrs John
son being quite SICK II was thought cxpcdient by the
ushers TO deliver the note, when as last expedien
the ladies' asked permission TO forward note TO Mrs Pat
terson the Presidents daughter, which privilege was
granted Mrs Patterson IL also quite indsposed TO-
HEART REsDfvo SCENE
By permission Of the authorities, the daughter OF Mrs
her mother In her cell The entire Interview was OF a
very affecting character The daughter remained with
her mo,her until short time before the execution and
when the time came for separation the screams OF an.
guish that burst from the poor girl could be distinctly
heard all over the execution ground
During the morning the daughter proceeded 10 the
Metropolitan Hotel and sought interview with General
Hancock Finding him, she impored In ptabe accents
10 get repreve for her mother The General OF course,
had no power grant obtain such favor and In.
formed the distressed girl Ia rs gentle manner as pos
sible.
General Hancock, with the kindness that always char
acerzes his actions apart from the stern duties Of his
noble profession did his best 10 assuage the mental an
gush Of the rief-stricken girl
SCENES AT rHE HOUSE.
The residence Of Mrs surratt street. North,
sirh remained closed on Thursday after the announce.
ment Of her fate had become known
In the evening but single dim light shone from
of the rooms while within the house all was as quiet
death up about eight O'Clock, at which hour Miss
AMMO r. surat who has been In constant attendance
upon her mother drove up to the door In back, accom-
panied by q gentleman
She appeared TO be perfectly crushed with grief and
she aghted from the carriage some ladies standing
near we're moved OF sympathy with the unfor
tunate girl whose every look and action betrayed her
anguish.
Miss surratt after gaining admttanoe TO the house
tainted several times causing great hustle aud excite
ment among the inmates, who we're untlrng IN their
efforts to console the almost heartoroksn young lady
From early In the evening until hate hour nj night,
hundreds OF persons old and young, male and female,
visited the vicinity Of Mrs surrats residence stopping
upon the opposite side OF the street glencng with
and inqurng eyes upon the hoase In which the
conspratcrs met commenting upon the fate OF the
| doomed woman and tho circumstances connected there
| with
During the evening less than Ave hundred persons
| visited The spot
| II was noticeable incident OF the execution thai
| scarcely any government officials czenA we're pres
cnt the spectators being nearly all connected with h
trial IN some eaPocy' or Else representatives y W.
! presA