Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1866-12-19


man and John H. Surratt, who cameo
that locality to pay.a visit to the prom
ish priest. At that first interview a
great deal was said about the war and
slavery, the sentiments expressed by these
two individuals being NOR than secession
lists. In the course of the conversation l
remember Surratt to have said that Pres
ident Lincoln would certainly pay for all
the men that were slain during the war.
About a month after moved to Wash
ington at the suggestion of Weichman,
and got situation as tutor -, where
he was himself engaged. Surratt visited
us weekly, and once he offered to send me
South, but declined. did not remain
more than a month at Washington, not
being able to agree with Weichman, and
enlisted in the army Of the North, as sta,
ted in my first statement in writing to
General King
| have met Surratt in Italy, at small
town called Eelictri. He is now known
under the name of John Watson. | re.
cognized him before he made himself
known to me, and told him privately,
You are John Surratt the person | have
known in Maryland He. acknowledged
he was. and begged of me to keep the
thing secret After some conversation,
we spoke of the unfortunate affair of the
assassination of President Lincoln, aud
these were his words: Damn the Yam.
KEGS, they have killed my mother. But
have done them az much harm as could,
We have killed Lincoln, the niggers'
friend. He then said, speaking of his
mother. Had it not been for me and tia
coward Weichman, my mott er would be
living now 1t was fear made him speak !;
had he kept his tongue there was no dan.
Ger for him. But if | ever return to
America or meet him elsewhere | shall
kill him He then said he was III the
secret service of the South, and WEIGH.
man, who was in some department there.
used to steal copies of the dispatches and
forward them to him, and thence TO Rich.
mond. Speaking of the murder he said
they had acted under the orders of men
who are not yet known some of whom
are still in New York and Others in Lon.
don. am aware that money is sent to
him yet from London. When left Can
ada, he said, had but little money, but
| had letter for party in London. |
was in disguise, with dyed hair and false
beard that party sent me to a hotel.
where he told me to remain till | would
hear from him: after few weeks he came
and proposed to me to 60 10 Spain, but [
declined and asked to 60 to Paris. He gave
him seventy pounds, With letter of in
troauction to party there, who sent him
here to Rome, where he joinod the Zou.
ayes He says he can get money at Rome
at any time. believe he is protected
by the clergy, and that the murder is the
result Of u deep laid plot, not only against
the life of President Lincoln, but against
the existence of the republic, as we are
aware thar priesthood and royalty are,
and always have been, opposed to lib.
erty. That such men as Surratt, Booth.
Weirhman aud others, should, of their
own accord, plan and execute the Internal
plot which resulted in the death of prcsi
dent Lincoln, is Impossible. There l:e
others behind the curtain who have to
make these scoundrels act
have also asked him if he knew JEFF
fcrson Davis He said not, but that he
had acted under instructions of persons
under his immediate orders Being ask
ed if Jefferson Davis bad anything to do
with toe assassination, he said j am not
going to tell you My impression is
that he brought the order from Richmond,
as he was in the habit of going there
weekly. He must have wished others to
do it, for when the event took place he
told rae he was in New York, prepared to
fly as soon as the deed was done. He says
he does not regret what has taken place,
and that he will visit New York in a year
or two, as there is n heavy shipping firm
there who had much to do with the South,
and he is Surprised that they have not
been suspected This is the exact truth
of what | know about Surratt. More
could not learn, being afraid to awaken
his suspicious, and further | do not say T"
In October last decisive steps were fl.
nally taken by the. government for Sur
rats arrest, which was accomplished, as
already known, through the consent and
co. operation of the Ponti6cal government.
The manner of his escape from the Roman
prison, (Which took place early one morn
ing,) is thus described by the military Of
ficer who had him in custody:
1.-The prisoner was then awakened. and
rose, put on his CATERS, and took his cof.
fee with calmness and pblegm quite
English. The gate of the prison opens
on platform which overlocks the coun.
try. A balustrade prevents promenaders
from tumbling on therocks situated at
least thirty-fve feet below the windows
of the prison. Beside the gate of this
prison are situated the privies nj tho har