Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-05-27
FHs PARTIES UNDER TRIAL AT
WASHINGTON.
TErom ne WinSLinotoN Stdr,

WASHINGTON,
Iron the Washington Stdr.l
The prisoners are properly cared for and
fed, an attendant being constantly on duty al
each cell. In the case of Mrs. Surratt the
prison diet has been varied somewhat, to the
extent of allowing her toast, &C., when she
has been i'll. She spends most Of her time in
reading a PRAYER book. Harrold's mood is
mercurial, sometimes exuberantly buoyant,
and sometimes as much depressed. Mudd
paws considerable attention to his personal
appearance, and is particular as to cleanli-
ness of body. Like Mrs. Surratt, he Occu-
pies much of his time in reading religious
books. Atzerott is stolid and uncommuni-
catiye for the most part. O'Laughlin con
duets himself quietly; seems 10 feel his stu
alton the most deeply of any of the prison.
ers. and walks his cell much of the time.
PAYNE displays the same cool audacity in
yariably, whether in his cell or in the court
room, and exhibits not unfrequently that
devil may-care reckless spirit OF good humOr
that springs from high physical condition.
When spoken TO he replies with oH-hand
bluffness, using barely enough words TO con-
yey an answer, and is equally costive Of
speech in making known his wishes. Who
and what is this man Payne is the great
mystery of the day. There have been vari-
GUS reports concerning him and his antece
dents, but it is believed that all are at sea
concerning him; and it is doubtful If his
real name is Payne.
Arnold appears in his cell as in the court
room, quiet and pleasant, and gives his at
tendants little trouble. Spangler, despite
his lugubrious face, Is said to be uniformly
light and exceedingly laxative. His
appetite is superb, and when the ordinary
ample prison allowance is given him and he
is asked if that is enough, he signifies that
he can manage little more. lie has already
learned TO distinguish the voices OF the dill
ferent guards, and calls to them as they
pass, seeming inclined Tor conversation TO
break the loneliness of his confinement.
From The Washington Chronicle, Tuesday.l
Weary indifference and listless, dreamy
drowsiness continue TO characterize the male
prisoners from Harold TO Arnold, but q
great change has come over Mrs. Surratt.
/ For the first time we read in unmistakable
letters upon her still features the record of
| some inetTable woe. 1t is not fear, not the
excitement of a mighty doubt, but whitening,
blasting voc. She occupied her old corner,
her right cheek resting as usual upon her
right hand, her eyes closed; but every now
and again rs she would raise her head to
smooth back the parting hair upon her fore
head. her full face would meet the eye. On
that face, whatever apocalyptic Sign may
have evoked il, certain 1t is that thirty odd
hours have sufiiced 10 paint haunting rev.
citation of some horrifying sorrow similar TO
that which Guido's art has stamped upon the
beautiful features of Beatrice Cenci. Either
from within or without, during the murky
hours of the past Sabbath there has flashed
upon that woman some awful vision, either
of future woes or some new lighted memory
of past tragedy.
+ From the Lo,dsrl!e Union Press, Nay IL.
The correspondent Of the World has pre-
pared an interesting account of a number of
persons engaged in the assassination con-
spiracy. Among these, he speaks of Payne
as q Kentuckian, and one of family of three
brothers. Payne is charged with the at
tempted assassination OF Secretary Seward.
lie is a Kentuckian, the family having lived
about UnOntown, but is one of family OF sir
brothers, four Of whom were notorious as
desperadOes. While the rebels occupied
Hopkinsville, Kentucky, one Of the brothers
murdered q brother rebel named Brooks,
and if the people Of Hopkinsville had been
called upon to vote choice as TO which of
the twain should be killed by the other, the
choice would have been one of embarrass-
ment. There would have been a unanimous
vote among the loyal people in favor Of
Kilkenny cat affair of it. Payne had 10 fly
from the rebel command. The brothers are
known to many persons here in connection
with the celebrated gold seizure by General
Shackelford, while Colonel of a Kentucky
regiment. The PSynes, while operating
ha aH N try bai
hand at depredating upon that concern
They got up q good counterfeit of the Con-
federate money, which they traded to a
Georgia banker for sterling bills.
The Confederscy got hold of one of the
Paynes and hung him for this counterfeiting
transaction. Some of the rest of this
precious family went to Texas and bought a
large drove Of cattle with some of this coun-
terfeit money, and drove the cattle TO Vicks-
burg and sold them. One of this twain is the
one who was hung at Nstchez. The assassin
Payne probably found the Confederacy too
hot for him.
Afler his failure to assassinate Secretary
Seward, Payne mounted a horse that had
been provided for him, but found some
trouble in attempting to hurry through the
city, because the population Of Washington
was in the streets by the time he got under
way. And when he worked himself to point
where he supposed it was safe to hurry, and
commenced that part of his game, his horse
fell and pitched him headlong in the road
When he recovered his senses, he crept
from the road and attempted to disguise
himself. His hat was gone, and he made
an impromptu cap of one Of the sleeves
of his flannel shirt; smeared himself with
dirt, stole a pick from the Washington
Qualifications, and headed for the house of
Mrs. Surratt, where he presented himself as
a day-laborer. he walked into trap that
had not been baited for him. When he ar
rived, detectives were in the house arresting
Madame Surratt, aud upon being asked for
some account of himself, he did not possess
ingenuity enough to make plausible lie.
He said he had come to dig trench for Mrs.
Surratt, which that amiable lady denied
The application of water TO his face and
hands soon revealed the fact that an impor-
tant capture had been made, and upon being
confronted with some Of the persons who
met him at Mr.. Stewards house, he was re-
cognized as the assassin.
When placed in prison, his past and future
doomed before him crowded with horrid spec
tres. and to rid the eyes Of his thoughts from
their startling forms, he attempted to beat
ont his brains against the walls of his prison.
latest PANS SCANDAL is the reappear.
L. ~ ant If ha fan