Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-05-27
Trial of the Assassins.

WASHINGTON, May 26.-The court room
was to-day again crowded with spectators
of both sexes the largest part of them be-
ing unable to find seats. The main attrac-
tion is the appearance of the prisoners.
After the immense mass of evidence ia
ken yesterday had been read, Rev. Father
Lanehan, living near Beantown, Maryland,
and Rev. Father Young, pastor of a Roman
Catholic church, were severally sworn and
testified that Mrs. Surratt has always had
the reputation of being woman of Chris
tian character. These witnesses had never
heard her express either loyal or disloyal
sentiments.
Mr.. Maulsby, brother-in-law of O'Laugh-
lin, testified that the accused was engaged
in the produce business with his own
brother in Washington, and that O'Laugh-
lin and Booth were schOolfellOws and had
been intimate tor tA elve years.
Counsel for O'Laugblin sought to prove
that O'Laughlin made no flight or evasion,
but was willing to surrender himself to the
officers of the law. Witness said he
surrendered O'Laughlin by the authority
of the accused himself.
After recess, Mr.. Maulsby was recalled
and stated the circumstance of O'Laughlin's
arrest, saying arrangements were made
Saturday after the assassination Tor that
purpose. OLaughlin, the witness said, was
In the rebel army between 1861 and 1862.
VIM. Chamberlain, testified: He was a
clerk in the War Department Of the Con-
federate States, and became acquainted with
the handwriting of John A. Campbell, As
sistant Secretary of War, and Harrison,
jeff Davis Private Secretary. He indenti-
fed the Endorsements on the letter of Lieut..
Aston as theirs. This letter was read on a
former dav. The writer was seeking en-
ployment to strike at the heart of the na-
tion. E
Henry Finnegass testified: On the 10Th of
February he heard conversation between
VIM. Cleary and Geo. n. Sanders, at the
st. Lawrence Hall, Montreal. He heard
Cleary say "They are getting ready for the
| inauguration of Lincoln;" to which San
ders replied, "If the boss has good luck
Lincoln will not trouble us much longer"
Sanders said Booth was bossing the job.
-. Chas. Sweeney testified: He was in the
war, and prisoner afterwards in An
Jacksonville. lie spoke of the insufficiency
and bad quality of what he called the
grub" The rebels shot down some of the
men like brutes, while others died for want
of food. Gen. Cobb said all in the stockade
would before long be in the graveyard, and
if they caught Old Abe they would hang
him.
Several other witnesses were produced
by the Government, to- show the bad treat
ment of our soldiers in the prisons of Rich
mond and Andersonville.
The defense called two or three additional
witnesses to discredit the testimony of 9TH
er witnesses relative to Mudd.
| At the opening of court Mr.. Aiken, coun-
sci for Mrs. Surratt, asked for recall OF
witness Van Stainaker, as he thought his
testimony could be contradicted.
Judge Advocate Holt said: AS the wit.
ness had been discharged without objection
he could not recall him for the prosecution
B. +. Gwyne, re-examined by Mr.. Aiken
Identified a letter written by Mrs. Surratt
to Mr.. Nothey on the 14th of April last
concerning settlement for piece of land
and threatened to bring suit ....
Rev. Father Lanahan testified as to Mrs
Surratt being good Christian woman, but
knew nothing of her sentiments of 10y
atty. u,lH"
Rev. Father Young gave similar testi-
mony. ...,
G. III. Calvert identified a letter written
by him to Mrs. Surratt, dated April 18th
notifying her that Mr.. Nothey was willing
to settle with her, and urging the settle.
ment of his (Mr. Calvert's) claim of his late
fathers estate, however unpleasant. The
witness was not at Surrattsville on the l4th
of April. t'. : 5ag, D. ~
WI. Hoyle testified Hewas acquainted
with Mrs. Surratt. Had never heard her
express loyal or disloyal alsentiments.. Know
John Surratt by sight; saw him in thiscity
the latter part of February or first of March
He is tall, of rather slim build, light CON-
plexion, delicate looking, between twenty
and thirty years of age, about six feet high.
My impression is that he did not wear a
moustache. ~,s-,.,, ~
In cIoss-examination he testified: He
did not remember exactly. He was over
five feet nine inches in height. nia 10 .
r. II. Mandry testified: Reside in Balti-
more. Am brother-in-law to Michael O'-
Laughlin. He came from the south in Au-
gust, 1862. He was with his brother in the
produce and feed business in Washington
till the fall of 1868 His brother then re-
moved from Washington, leaving Michael
in charge of the business there, TO the 14th
of March this year. Michael had the
collection and receiving Of orders from
customers, the goods being supplied
from 4, Baltimore. He was here off
and on from the time his brother gave up
business here till the 18th. Witness knew
Booth intimately. Mrs Booth owns shop
opposite my house. Michael and William
were schoolmastes of Booth, Michael's in
timacv with him has hppn for ahOut tupl vo