Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-07-21
THF CUILr or nIRs. sURRArr.

THE GUILT OF MRS. sURRATT. "a
The natural sympathy felt for woman, ever
if criminal led 70 the belief on the part OF
many that Mrs Surratt would not bs compelled
TO undergo the extreme penalty of the law, but
the prompt execution Of the sentence put an END
to al doubts on that point. OF her being equal
guilty with her fellow culprits who shared IN
ths punishment of the gallows, there can Be no
doubt after reviewing the testimony given cr
the trial She was the mother Of one Of the
principal conspirators, and the confident Of the
others. Her house was their rendezvous, and
she was their active counsellor and assistant-a
John Surratt claims that he could prove his
mothers Innocence, but he failed 70 come for
ward and do so, hence he either knew her TO be
guilty, or sacrificed her 70 his own cowardice
Mrs SurTatt was about 45 yesrs old Sheoc-
oUpied good position IN society. owned four
story brick house N Washington, which she &C.
cupled as boarding house. and also the tavern
and farm at SurIattsville thirteen miles from,
Washington, occupied by LLOYD and forming
an important locality N the trial The leading
points of the evidence against Mrs. Sunatt, civ.
en- on the trial, is well sumed up in the Cinc,n-
matt Commercial from which we coDdense the
following: tsaEa3 @
Wiechtmann, border IN the house, testified
that, about the Doth of March, while in Mrs..
Surrstt's parlor, she manifested great excitement
and wept bitterly, that her son John had left the
city, never to return. That afternoon John H
Surratt returned to the house in the state of ex-
treme excitement, pacing the room, more like
manic than sane man; he hourished pistol
and swore that his prospects were blasted his
hopes gone, and that he would shoot any one
who came into the room.
Shortly after Payne entered the room; he also
was armed, and labOring under great excitemeuti
followed by Booth, who also was much excl
ted that he did not, for some time notice the
presence of WiechtmaDn. Observing him how
ever at a suggestion from Booth, these conspi-
ratOrs withdrew to an upper room, where they
held a heightened interview. Ii Is evident that
these parties left Mrs. SurTatt's house that day,
intent oD some foul plot of assassination; but,
from causes which have never been fully ex-
planned the scheme at that time failed, and the
guilty ParticiPatOrs returned, foed, reckless and
enraged.
The principal witnesses against Mrs SurTatt
were John NJ. Lloyd. the keeper of the Surratts-
vile tavern, and Louis WiechtmsDn. About
six weeks before the assassination Lloyd testif-
ed that Harold, AtzerOtt aud John II. Surratt
came TO Lloyd's tavern at Surrattsyille bring
ing with them two Spencer carbines. formidable
seven shooting rifles, also ammunition and rope
Surratt wished the witness to conceal these wes-
pons, and he bimself showed Lloyd where to
conceal them between the jOists and the second
floor.
On the Monday preceding the Friday of the
murder, Wiechtmann was sent by Mrs SurIat
TO Booth to obtain from him the use of his horse
and buggy. Booth had sold the buggy, but gave
Wietchtmann SO with which to hire one fos
Mrs. Sprratt. He did so, and drove her to Sur
| rattsville to Lloyd's tavern. What took place
there is not fully known On the afternoon of
the l4th, the day of the assassination, Wiecht-
mann again drove Mrs. Surratt to Lloyd's tav-
ern Booth having had a conference with her
| few minutes before she left Wichtmann tss-
! titles that on that occasion, she took with her
two parcels. Lloyd testifes that these parcels
contained field glass and two bottles of whis-
ky; and that, in her conference with him, she
desired him to have "tbose shooting irons ready
| for parties, who would call that night"
| 1t was afterwards known in Washington that
other facts had come to light as conclusive as
any which came out upon the stand, impliea-
/ ting Mrs Surratt in these deeds of death Du-
ring the ride to Surrattsville, on the afternoon
of the I4tb, she inquired of person, who lived
on that road If the piekets remained out all night
and, on being told that they were called in at 8
o'clock, replied that she was glad to know it
| On the evening of the l4tb of April she was pa
cling her sitting room, counting her beads, in
| highly nervous excitement. tOrehlight pro-
eession was psrading the city, in celebration Of
i the national victories, she inquired Of Wiecht-
mann the direction the procession was talking.
| remarking that she had great interest IN the
procession. She desired Wiechtmann and her
daughter Miss Surratt, also Miss Fitzpatrick, 10
| "pray for her intentions" These young pee
pie were making some noise with their talking
and laughter, and she excitedly bade all of them
| to leave the room. Before this, some one came
to the house and rang the bell; Mrs. Suratt an
| swered at the door. 1t was afterwards known
i that the person who called was J. Wilkes Booth
who, doubtless came to inquire the result of her
visitto Lloyds tavern, and to ascertain if the
Tangements made were such that he might rely
upon them
| The fact that Lloyd had the ashootlng-irons
ready, In obedience to Mrs. Surratts instruc-
tions, and that Booth and Harold, in their fight
after their guilty deed, did call at Lloyd's tay-
| ern and obtained one Of the two carbines Booth
confessing his inability from his wound to carry
the other, leaves no question as to Mrs. Sunatt 3
guilty knowledge ofand participstioninth the con-
spiracy.
Another proof Of the guilt of this woman IS
circumstantially furnished in the return of Paine
to her house place of refuge, after three days
and nights of skulking before the officers of JUS
tice. He was distinguished as a lsboring man.
but was detained by the military ID possession
of the house and his disguise discovered. Mrs
Surratt was asked if she knew him; and she
solemnly appealed TO her God that she had new
er seen him before. This man was Lewis Payne,
the assassin of Secretary Seward.