Evening star., 1867-06-17

oed Ia Albany, New YORK: knew president
lincoln: was well acquainte ted with him. was
with MIN on the night of the assassination: at
20 min utes past LETT his residence with Miss
Harris and joined the President with Mrs.
Lincoln, and went with them to Fords thea
tire; proceeded to the box set apart for their re-
ception: the President occupied large arm
char; when the second scene OF the ID act was
being performed heard the report of pistol
behind him looking around saw dim1y through
the smoke man near the door; heard him
shrek out some such word as freedom; sprang
towards him and seized him. he struck at
witness with a large knife; he received
deep wound in his left arm; he ran to the front
OF the box and jumped. Witness seized his
clothing, and tore the same. Then looked to
the President; saw his head leaning for ward
and his eyes closed. Rushed to the door for
the purpose of securing medical aid; found it
fastened on the outside with piece OF board.
People came in the box, and the President was
removed to the house opposite. The box was
occupied by President Lincoln, Mrs Lincoln,
Miss Harris aAd witness The position Of
each enc in the box was here described by
witness.l Could not recognize the man who
fired the shot. Did not see how the plank
fastened the door.
questions by defense.
John d. Petit and several other witnesses
were here called by the prosecution, but they
did not answer.
Judge Fisher asked if it would be agreeable
to them that recess OF half an hour be had
after a session of two hours. He was very
weak, and it would he best to also allow the
jurors to have recreation. --..,
and the court took recess for half an hour
After the recess -'
James b. Ssetcart sworn.-Witness resides
now in West Chester county, New York Was
at Ford's Theater on the night of the l4th of
April, 1865, and occupied seats in front of or
chestra, and was seated on the left hand cor
ner chair on the right hand aisle. Witness
could see the President and the company with
him in the second tier box; he was in a position
to see from the breast up OF Mr.. Lincoln. At a
moment when there was pause or interlude in
Shn v>In Goo ar1
Noticed man coming over the balus-
trade, and saw curl of smoke. On
Coming down he exclaimed 'Sic semper tyran-
aiS," He came down with his back to the au-
dieHce. He held a very large knife in his hand
Witness leaped over the banister and over the
foot-lights to the stage, keeping his eye on this
man. When he made the second step he threw
his eye to the box and saw the other persons
but not the President. When he reached the
stage witness saw the man not in full run
but in quick walk 60 towards the left hand,
and disappear. Witness said to those on the
stage, "stop that man. he has shot the Presi-
dent" Heard the door slam. saw as many as
five persons on the stage who came in to the
passage way. Noticed a man standing near
the hack door with his face towards the door
bat he gradually turned to witness. He did
notappear exclted. He heard some one ex-
claim Hes getting on a horse" Witness got
to the door and took hold OF the hinge side but
ratified it and passed out; heard tramp of
horses feet. His atten ton was fixed to the
man on the horse, who was imperfectly
hOuHtcu nOrE6 was moving agItatedly.
describing semi circle from right to left At
the same instance noticed q row of tenements
TO which horse would have brought up if he
continued. Ran up to get hold of horse,
when the rider brought horse up against
him. Followed over to the right side
of alley; the rider held knife in his hand,
turned his horse around; witness commanded
the person to step when be first came out, and
heard some enc 60 out of the alley: after wards
heard TWO taps and shriU whistle from the
direction OF street. when the rider started
the horse he rode furieusly out of the alley;
witness ran few steps after the horse:
heard the horses feet as he receded ont of the
alley way, and beard the sound OF the horse on
street. The man was John Wilkes Booth.
WITNESS examined diagram of the aIIey
way, ana described the track OF Booth; as also
a diagram of the stage, and descri bed mis-
course as, also, that of BootD.l
By Mr. Bradley-Witncss was seated about
~ feet from the right hand side Of the stage at
the time.
s. John B. Pettit.-Witness resided on the 14th
OF April, 1865, in the dwelling house 339 +
street, below 10Th. His room was in the rear
part OF the building, which was from $50 to 2OO
feet from the back door of the theater Ad-
Joining the house was an eating saloon, kent
by Mr. Gilbert, aud in the real, with the ex-
ceptton OF small tenement, it was vacant
ground adjoining the theater loc. Was sitting
wlth back to vacant ground, when his at
tentbon was directed by several low whist.
lihgs, as though they were Signals
iron the vacant ground. Witness stopped
reading once or twice on hearing them
ID
I aat in connection with q horse which an
peHred to be uneasy in the alley leading from
the theatre from the east attracted him He
saw nothing NOT did he know ANYTHING sf
what had tganspiEed until the next morning,
Heard the sound of horse going out of the
alley. Ala this passed in about quarter of
"a nour; Inc last whistle was very loud an I
shrill. Witness heard the report of gun or
pistol that night Could hear the voices of the
actor in his room.
By Mr. Bradley:-There was no fence on the
q rQar Of fha II>t
a small alley between the eating saloon and
MRS. Landsley's house, n which witness
roomed.
James p Ferguson sworn:-Witness was at
the thester on the night OF the assassina-
ton. Witness kept a restaurant next door,
and Was Informed IN the afternoon by Harry
Ford that the President and General Grant
were to be present, and had better secure seats.
He dld So and took seats IN the dress circle.
on the opposite side OF the Presidents box
About 10 is to 1890 saw Booth mass around
outside of the dress circle and look around
and pns1 the door OF the passage. way. Did
not see him for ten or fifteen seconds when
we stepped an the box; saw the flash of the
pistol and heard the report, and saw Booth
Jump ever, failing on his right knee, and get
ting up, he passed over to the side OF the stage
nearest to witness; saw Booth about O'Clock
on that afternoon, talking to Mr.. Maddox: he
remarked, sESee what nice horse l have got:
he can run like q cat," and he started off 20
ing down 10th street; witness did not see any
him say anything more. .....
Mr.. Wilson.--Did he say nything more at
the timel - te-..'.
Mr. Bradley.-We are not trying Booth.
BY Mr. Bradiey.-Harry Hawks was the
only one on the stage at the time; did not
think MT. Stewart got on the stage until Booth
passed out OF sight: Mr. Hawk rum off as soon
as ne sag Booth with knife; Laura Keene
in fact, half dozen were on the stage a mo.
nent after; among them some soldiers
BY Mr- Caring ton.-There were q large
number on the stage moment after
sSeryeant Joseph M. Dye.-Witness is recruit
ing sergeant u. >. A., and is now stationed in
PaatadeiphIa; was in the army in April. 1865,
Witness belonged to Battery @, Independent
Pennsylvania Artillery. which at that time
was stationed at Comp Barry at the intersec-
ton Of III street and the Baltimore turnpike,
Witness was In Washington at the.time OF the
murder with Sergeant RobertCoOber: in an
oyster saloon; went there fron Ford's thea
ire; went from the theatre aboxt 9k O'Clock:
Witness saw Mr. Lincoln's carriage there al
the time. The street was light directly in
froat of the theater from a large lamp Wit.
ness saw nnmbers coRse out of Che thsater at /
the end OF the ac.s, Before they came down
heard q conversation there, in which .John /
Wilkes Booth took a part. -. -
By Mr.. 'Pieerepoint,-W What was that CON.
versation ,-.. f,-
Objected to by Mr.. Msyrick on the ground 1
that there was no connection between Booth !
and Surratt rgT4paat 8stIl 4 -
Mr.; Pierrepoint said that the grounds were
apparent #E = E y = - .t'.1