The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-05-31
Review Of the Evidence ut the
Assassination Trial.


lures OF the case as proven against the sew
eral defendants. First in order of tho Ger.
tainty of facts adduced is that Lewis paino
is shown TO have been the confederate of
Booth and guilty of an assault with intent TO
kill VIM. H. Seward, Frederick w. Seward,
Augustus II. Seward, Enrick w. llanscll
and Geo. 4. Robinson. Tho antoccdcnts
OF tho prisoner are not known, and tho first
heard of him, 80 far as the proofs go, is
his appearance ut tho residence of Mrs
Surratt in the early part OF March last,
when no stated his name was Wood. lilo
called for Joha II. Surratt, but IN the ab.
sonco of the lattor asked for Mrs, Surratt,
Ho lodged there that night taking his
meals in his room, and departed the next
day. About the same time he appeared to
have taken room in company with
o Laughlin, in boarding house in D street,
whore they were frequently visited by
Booth Here these prisoners remained for
about three weeks, In the meantime Paine
put up two or three days at tho Surratts,
where John Surratt, Atzcrott, Booth and
himself had frequent consultation. On his
second visit, Paine represented to some OF
the inmates that he was a Baptist preacher.
Ile and Surratt were found at one timo in a
bed room playing W tn bowieknives. In
this room wore two rovolvers aud four sets
of spurs and revolvers which were found
occupying room ut the llorndcn House,
where he is visited by Atzorott The
proof of his confederating with Booth and
his uccomplices is beyond doubt That
it was Paine who mado the assault
upon Mr.. Seward and the others in
| ured in the Secrotary's house, is as GER
tain rs human testimony can establish
any fact lie is first found in confden-
ial relations with the assassins in the
early part of February, aud he is several
| times discovered in secret meetings with
| Booth, Atzerott and others of tho conspi-
racy. lie ia once found ut Mrs. Surratts,
in company with them. With Surratt and
Atzcrott, he callod ut the tavern in Sur.
rattsville, aid the two carbjnes, ammuni
ton &c, were taken way from that place
by him and Booth, on tho night of tho as
sassinaton. lIc acknowledged to Confcd-
crate soldiers, that he and Booth were the
assassns of the President and ho is cap
| tured in the Barn with Booth, Ms he has
been fully detailed heretofore, There is
no doubt, whatever, Of his guilt, and he
will suffer the penalty of his crime, as it
will be defined by the Commission.
Atzerott like the last named prisoner, is
proven to have been conspiratori and
Il
| in the early part of February inquirng for
| John H. Surratt, or Mrs. Surratt, and is
| frequently in secret communication with
Booth and confcderatcs. TO him was as
signed the murder of President Johnson, at
the Kirkwood House, but notwithstanding
\ it appears there was no obstacle in the
H way of its performance, he does not seem
to have made any effort to get access to his
intended victim, on the evening of the 18th
Of April
On the morning of that day he took a
room at the Kirkwood, where Mr.. John.
son was putting up, and was seen there at
moor, and about six o'clock in tho evening
was traced on horseback, but was not ap.
parontly about the house after that honr.
He proved fa'se to his confederates. No
L doubt such would be in keeping with his
character lIo was in active CO operation
with them however, throughout the night,
and fed at daylight the next morning, or
his guilt there is not the shadow of doubt.
Mrs. Surratt appears to have been cogn-
zalt of the intended crime almost from its
H inception and became an active participant
\ in the overt act. Sho was a general mana
\ ger. Sic received and entertained at her
house, all the criminals except DR.. Mudd,
and OLaughlin and Arnold. With DR..
| Mudd she planned the means and assis.
tance for the escape Of the assassns. She
visited the tavtrn keeper at five o'clock on
the day of the assassination, to see that
tho carbines, &C.. should be in read-
ness, and informed him they would be called
for that nigh. Booth frequently called
at her house aud held long confidential
talks with hor. lIewas with her few
! minutes on the afternoon of the 18th. AS
I an t,lt nf nd toin Al in
his crime, she can't escape tho penalty of
the law. Dr. Muld's status is identical.
As early as November last, he is shown to
have been in the confidence of Booth. He
has held suspicious meetings with Sur
ratt and Booth at the National lIntel.
In January lie introduces Booth to Sur
ratt. Booth visits him at his room
at the Pennsylvaria House. The assassins
fly 10 his house directly after committing
the murder. ll9 dresses Buoths wound,
and assists tho escape of the latter and har-
rold, and, when called upol by the officers
three DAYS alterward. denies that he knows
either of the criminals. When arrested on
the Friday foil wing he prevaricates, lies
right out, and finally admits that lie knew
Booth. He says he first heard Of the
assassinationon the. Sunday after it was
committed, at church yet it is shown by
abundant proof that he was at Bryantown
on the day preceding, Saturday., al an
hour when the populace was all excitement
the town guarded by soldiers, AMI every
man, woman and child in the place had not
only heard of the murder, but knew the
name OF the assassin. Dr.. Mudd is guilty,
but what degree of punishment he viii be
adiudgod remains with the Commission to
dc ttermine.
Spangler does not appear TO have been
in the conspiracy, according tc the proofs,
at an eaIlieT period than few hours before
the commission Of the crime. IL he be
guilty, his participation Nonld appear to
have been in preparing the means ~ escape
| by keeping the Passage-way clear on the
stage, aud ly closing the door aftet Booth
had passed through, SO as to TSlard the
movements of the puTsueTs. Proof has
becil offered 10 connect him with tho prep.
aration of the bar which fastened tho door
leading to the Presidents box, but the evi,
denoe is vague and uncertain that he knew
the purpose Of Booth That he promised a
few minutes before the murder to help the
assassin, is as clearly shown ly the cireum-
stances and tsstimcay as any fact in the
case.
0Gaughlin appeaFa 10 have been assigned
to the murder of General Grant, but wheih-
er he failed to make the attempt from lack
Of courage, from disinclination, or from
failure Of opportunity, does not appear,
| Gen Grant was announced to appear al tho
theater, but suddenly and unexpectedly
took the cars for Philadelphia Alzeroti
made the remark the next day, when il was