Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-05-15
THE ASSASSINATION.
Continuation Of the Conspiracy Trials.
PROCEEDINGS CT TO-DAY.
DEmEANoR OF THE PRISONERS.

of trial of the conepirators, Is strongly guarded
nom Pennsylvania avenue to the Penitendary
building At the upper gate there is a strong
guard, and line Of sentinels extends to the
building, where Is posted strong guard Of
Veteran Reserves At the east door there are
a number Of officers on duty, and through this
is the entrance to the court room. On entering
the wide hall those privileged with passes
signed by the President of the Commission,
General Hunter, are directed to a wide stair
way which leads to the hall on the second
floor, and from the small room in the north
east corner of the building. A new stairway
has been thrown up at the northeast corner of
the building to the court room, the door being
small one at the northeast set in tongue and
grooved casing. The stairway from the ground
floor is covered with mating, as we'll as the
court room. As we proceed towards the court
room we find at the foot Of the stairway a
sentinel who says not q word but motions
to proceed, and SO on we find sentry at every
turn In the second story room, from which
rises the stairway to the court above, a number
OF officers are found at a table in the centre
awaiting orders, while around the room are
orderlies ready to gallop off with any sum.
mons or message from the court. Opposite to
this room is another of like size for witnesses.
The court room is, as before stated the
northeast room of the third story, about forty
by fifty feet, with four windoWs-tWo on the
north side and two on the east-each heavily
grated. At the west end of the room is the
prisoners stand, raised about one foot from the
floor, and surrounded by plain railing about
four feet high, extending nearly the whole
width Of the room, there being left at this end
just enough space to admit of heavy wooden
door being set In the wall. This door way has
been lately cut through, and the door itself is
0f fobl AAaI MI
door leads into the prison where the accused
are confined. On the south side are two doors,
the one nearest the prison box being closed,
while the one nearest the east wall opens into
an adjoining room. The Court is seated around
a long green baize-covere table, on the north
side OF the room, General Hunter occupying
the seat nearest the door, while at another
table is seated the official reporters Of the COM
mission and representatives Of the press
Messrs. Gobright, of the Associated Press; u
H. Painter. Philadelphia Inquirer; W. B. Shaw,
Boston Transcript; G.. B. Wood, Boston Adyer.
tiser; W. Warden, New York Times: w. A.
CrCffut, Tribune; and members of the city
press. The witness stand is in the center of
the room, and is about one foot high, sur
rounded by railing.
The Judge Advocate and Assistant Judge
Advocate are seated at the end of the table oc-
accused are seated at two or three tables in
front of the prisoners box.
The walls OF the room are plastered and
wbitewashed, ard thus, with the light thrown
in by two windows to the north and east, the
. room has tolerably cheerful aspect by day:
and gas fixtures have been literally distributed
to afford light should the Court sit at night as
it is expected may happen In the course of the
trial. Two upright stoves, a water cooler
some exceedingly hard. bottomed chairs, q
tier of benches sgcinst the wall, and a score of
abuEaEtly patronized spittoons, complete the
furniture OF the room.
The Proceedings To-day.
The Court assembled ct 10 o'clock The
prisoners were ushered in one by one and
placed on their raised seats In the dock, at the
west end of the trial room.
First came Samuel Arnold, who was placed
neat the north window at the end of the seat:
next to him on the seat was a soldier Then
came Mclaughlin, succeeded by another SOL
der. Atzerodt was placed next with his &C.
companying soldier. Then came Spangler,
likewise guarded, as were in succession PAYNE,
HeroId and DR.. Mudd. Presently Mrs Surratt
entered, draped in deep mourning and closely
yelled. She appeared much depressed and
tottered visibly as she made her way to her
seat outside the prisoners dock She leaned
her head on her right hand and during the
preliminary proceedings did not once raise it
Her seat has been changed since Saturday,
from the position near her counsel at the green
baize table to one nearer her felIo " prisoners.
Atzerodt and Payne seemed the most uncon.
cerned OF the prisoners. Atzerodt ad vanced to
the bar in front OF the raised seats, and leaning
his elbow on the rail, conyersed at length with
his counsel, Mr.. VIM. E. Doster. Payne di.
iv,vH MIDI
every person in the room. His bold eye, prom.
inent under jaw and athletic figure gave all the
marks OF a bold desperate villain, but not one
capable OF planning deed OF cunning. When
he in turn advanced to the bar to converse
with his counsel he rested his manacled wrists
on the rail, and STOPPING over it in b'hoyish
style, his coal black hair fell over his eyes in
masses. adding to the savage desperation of
his look. He scowled as he talked, and once
or twice grim smile appeared about his
mouth, but seemed to find no Judgment about
the fierce eye. He seems to affect rs rowdyisha
dress as possible, and to- day appeared in no.
thing but a close fitting collarless blue weolen
undershirt pants of the same color
and material, stocking and shoes.
On Saturday he wore a steel. mixed outer shirt
or gray, with collar, but-as on to- day-with
no coat or vest AS he sat with his head de-
family thrown back against the wall, his tall
form lowered preponderantly above those of
his fellow prisoners on the bench. In fact,
the others are all small.sized men. Atzerodt
is the shortest Of the lot, and has the meanest
face, but Is thick set, and of a build about the
shoulders indicating great physical strength.
He is dressed in course suit OF mixed gray
Mclaughlin and Speng!er appear much de-
pressed, and the former especially. looks pale
and haggard. The full forehead and rather
reflective cast OF face of DR.. Mudd seemed
much out of place among the low type OF
countenances Of his fellows. Herold looks
dirty in face and dress, and with hair appar-
emily uncombed since the commencement of
the trial, is not at all prepossessing.
At 1890 the Court was called to order by the
President, and all the members of the Com
mission answered to their names. The pro-
ceedings Of Saturday were read by Mr D. f.