New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-01


prisoner could not Judge exactly how long scene
q. state whether his constant presence during the
second of the third act of the American Cousin
would be necessary A. 1t would unless he was ac-
curaely informed Of the duration OF the scene; 1t Is
rather long scene, longer perhaps than any other Of
that act. -
O. How ia it with the first sccne' A. IT is qnck but
la few moments, the other eight or ten minutes: ~,
Q How is it with The second ac'f A. Inc
Duration OF scene / wond say, depends IN
great degree upon the activity of the parties engaged
in it hardly think there was an Del' oil more tnah
FIVE or eight minutes between these scenes.
=. Therefore the constant attendance or Spangler
upon the stage would have been necessary a ~
would.
O. What were his duties in the intervals between the
scenesl A. To be prepared for the next change 20 ne
ready with lis scene and TO remain at his post of duty
as an emergency often during the performance Of
an act requiring extra service on his p'It.
O. State who had the regulation OF the passagewhy
through which Booth escaped 4. The stage manger
and stare carpenter execute the work belonging 10 that
part of the theater and the entire stage
! q. State the names of the personsf a. John H.
Wright was the stage manager ana James y. oiihh
the stage carpenter. 49,
o. Was the prisoner Spanglcr charged with the duty
of keeping the stage passageway III order A. i, was
no duty of his unless specially assigned 10 HIN ny tue
stage carpenter.
! a. State whether that passage way is usually OBJ
structed in any ways A. II should never he obstructed
nv positive orders were keep always clear and in the
hcsf order; il is passage-way used by parties coming
from the dressing groom and greenroon, and IN pay
like that the American Cousin In when the Iadies
were in full Dress il absolutely necessary for
proper performance OF the play that there should be 10
obstruction there. - ,
o. Do Won know whether as a matter Of fact. that
passageway was kept clear by the stage managert ~
Tie age manage! very exact man IN all these
details have always fonnd it clear, unless in the per
formance Of some spectacular play, when "A: tunes II
would be partly :ncumbered-
O. State whether you ever knew Spangler TO wear
Imustachei \. l never did.
TThe witres, Was further examined and the follow.
ling testimony ccitcd- The prisoner seemed 10 enter
tain great admiration for Booth who was particu
larly fascinating man. and who seemed "a exercise
control over tie minds and actions Of bis interiors; he
exceed in gymDastic and his leap from the
Presidents box the stage not which required
any rehearsal he bad often introduced n similar leap
into the witciscene in "Macheh since the latter part
of September last during the entire theatrical season
Booth frequently visited the theaer and bad ms let
tiers directed there; the prisoner Spangler had lived in
Baltimore, and considered that place his home;
usually spending his Summer months in the neiehbor
hood Of that city, engaged in fishing and grabbing.
THE rope found In Spangers carpet-bag WAS here
shown 10 the witness. He testified that in his opinion
it might have been used by the prisoner in catching
crabs though experienced crabbers used much longer
rope; he had such rope used by amateurs.J In
regard TO his visit Richmond witness testified his
object in making the visit was 10 see an uncle very
aged man. and IA mOtherinaw who resided there; he
had not heard of the snatiOn OF the President until
the sunday evening following, while on his return
Cross examined by Judse Adroods Hoh-Coud not say
positively whether private boxes in the theater were
ordinarily kept locked; MI Clifford the stage carpen
ter had control Of such matters and the Keys Of the
boxes kept by Mr.. James Bren the chief usher
the authorized parties having tickets for sale for those
boxes on the day of the assassination witnesses
brothers James H. and Henry Clay Ford tie play OF the
American Cousin" when first introduced, was an ex-
ceednglv popular play but Of late years had only
drawn fair audiences from the characters Of the two
men ard their relation 10 each other witness believed
Booth TO have been capable of exercising great iniu
either for good or for evil over the prisoner
SpaDgcr.
The Court then took recess untif9 O'Clock at which
la, the body reasscmblcd.
DETERMINATIONS OF Mr.. FERGUSON
BIZ Mr.. Ering.-Q. State whether, directly after the
assassination of the President. you Mr.. Stewart
get upon the stagei a. am not acquainted with Mr.
Stewart; after Booth passed off saw large man In
light clothes. with a mustache, jump on the stage
moment afterward Miss Harris called for water ia the
box this man. whatever he was, turned around and
looked toward the box: one haloed Catch him"
Miss Laura keene raised her hands aud said We have
caught him." or 1--WE will catch HIM" then saw this
large man ont; it was probably two or three
minutes after Booth before he jumped upon the
stage. -,
A. No one bat this man, Hawk.
o. If any body had gone out before wonld you have
seen him. think thought 1t very singular that
Cros..e4errin,d 5y Judge Bfagl0mQ. On which side
of the dress circle your 4. On the right side;
the same side with the Presidents box.
o. How did you sit 20 the private boxes on that
side A. went close 70 them; 80 near that could
see what was passing below distinctly, saw Laura
keene when she ran IN.
BIZ Mr. EuiH9-Q. state your business at Washing
ton \. / am manager Of Growers Theater.
O. State whether were IN the act OF seeing John
Wilkes Booth during tie last before the assasna
ton OF the President and if So whether he made any
inquiry Of you with regard 10 the President attending
the thcater A. have seen him about there frequent
w. and he made such inquiry the day before the as
sas5ination he came into the Office sometime during
the afternoon Of Thursday and interrupted me and NE
prompter Of the theater IN reading manuscript DO
seated himself IN chair and entered into converse
a., ,ta of AT
be q general illumination Of the city on Thursday; he
asked me If intended 10 illuminate; said did 10
certain extent but that my great illumination woud De
on The night the any ersaIy OF the fall OF sumter
asked If going 10 invite the President tbink
my reply was. Yes, aud must send that invitations;
had it IN mind for several days 10 invite the Presiden-
tia party TO attend on tue night OF the l4th.
q. Did you invite the Prcsidentf A. sent Mrs.
Lincoln an invitation; my notes were generally al
dressed TO her as the best means OF accomplishing the
object. go
o. Was there anything marked in BOOTHS manner OF
making the inquiryf A. His manner struck me as
rather peculiar; be must have observed that We were
busy and it was NOT usual 10 in and disturb u.s.
he pushed the matter so fan that got up iaid Inc
manuscript away end entered into conversation.
O. State whether not II Is customary IN tlehters 10
keen the passage between The and the green
room aud dressing rooms clear A. Yes 1t should be
point with the stage carpenter 10 Keep The stage clear
and the scenes put awayi 1t depends somewhat upon
how much room there H.
Q. Would You consider three feet wide or narrow
passage, a. should considers rather narrow. but
there are two theateTs alike in that respect-lt
would be necessary o keep the passage clear II IL
was narrow than If il was wide, OF course.
o. Would you consider leap from the second tier Of
boxes ia TOId's Ihctcr 10 the stage extraordinary
or difficult onef a. From my present recollection l
should say not very diihcull.
o. State what boxes the Presiscn was in the habit Of
occupying when he attended Growers Theatert
lQnestioD objected 10 by Judge Bingham as irrele-
yant. Mr. Ewing stated that The object WA 10 show
that II was easier escape from E0rds than Growers
Theater as the reason why fords was selected by
Booth for the accomplishment oi his purpose. O1Jcc'
ton sustained by the Court