The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-08-02

aud that in her conference with him, she
desired to have "those shooting irons
ready for parties who would call that
night"
1t was afterwards known in Washing.
ton that other facts had come to light as
conclusive as any which came out upon
the stand, duplicating Mrs. Suratt in
these deeds Of death. During the ride
to Surrattsville, on the afternoon Of the
18th, she inquired Of person who lived
on the road, if the pickets remained out
all night, and on being told that they
we're called in at eight o'clock, replied
that she was glad to know it. On the
evening Of the 18th Of April she was
pacing her sitting room, counting her
beads, in a state Of highly nervous excite
ment: A torchlight procession was pa
rading the city, in celebration Of the
national victories she inquired of W eich-
man the direction the procession was
taking, remarking that she had grea:
interest in that procession. She desired
Welchman and her daughter, Miss Sur
ratt, also Miss Fitzpatrick, to "pray for
her intentions" These young people
were making some noise with their talk
ing 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. Surratt answered at
/ the door 1t was afterwards known that the
person who called was J. Wilkes Booth,
who doubtless came TO inquire the result
of her visit to Lloyd's tavern, and to as
certain if the arrangements made were
! such that he might rely upon them.
The fact that Lloyd had the "shoOting
irons" readV,in obedience to Mrs .SUrratt's
instructions, and that Booth and Harold
in their flight after the guilty deed, did
call at Lloyd's tavern, and obtained one
of the two carbines, Booth confessing his
inability from his wound to carry the
ether, leaves nc question as to Mrs. Sur
rats guilty knowledge Of and participa-
tion In the conspiracy,
Another proof Of the guilt Of this wo.
man is circumstantialy furnished in the
return of Payne to her house, as to a
place of refuge, after three days and
nights Of sI,ulking before the pursuing
officers Of Justice. The Suwatt house
was on Monday night taken possession Of
by military guard. They had not
occupied it an hour when a ring at the
door was heard. 1t was answered by an
officer A man stood at the door, having
dirty hands and soilcd garments, pick
upon his shoulder, and upon his head, for
"a cap, what afterwards proved to be a
sleeve cut from his wooden shirt.
Finding himself entrapped, he pro
fessed to account for his visit at so un.
.seasonablo an hour, 10y stating that he had
come to Dig a drain for Mrs. 3urratt. In
answer to other inquiries, he said he was
a laboring man that he had no money );
and accounted for his dirty appearance
by saying that he had to sleep in the
trenches round Washington. The dis,
co7ory of a twenty dollar bill, a tooth
brush, pocket compass, a Jar Of pomade,
a pocket dictionary, and other items
which laboring men do not usually carry,
was deemed sufficiently suspicious to-
dotmn him. Mrs. Surrat5 was asked if
she knew him, and she soicmnly appealed
to her God that she had never seen him
before. This man was Lewis Payne, the
assassin Of Secretary Seward.