The New York herald., 1867-04-05
S U r r A r T.
Interview with John III. Surratt-HIs Escape
from CnRadn-St. Mnrie,s "Trenchery.O
Correspondence Philadelphia Ledger, AprIl4
War, A,.r,l D 10

from CnRadn-St. NInrie's ssTrenchery.0
Correspondence Phadelpha Ledger Aprll4l
The interest attaching to the prisoner. John II Sur.
ratt, in confinement at the Washington JAIL charged
with completely In the assassination Of President Lin
con induced your correspondent 70 sock and obtain an
interview and conversation with him.
Contrary to the current reports Of tho close conne
ment and careful obscury 10 which the important prs
oner Is held found him occupying Temporarily tho
watchman's lodge In tho jail yard The yard in which
this rather loose prison situated 10 enclosed by brick
ways leading into other yards surrounded by wits about
ten or twelve feet high did not examine these eate
ways 70 ascertain II they could BE- easily opened but
they appeared TO be fastened simply by bar on the
inside. this was their only fastsning aad they could
b opened as easily appearances indicated ts secu.
filed with rubbish that could quickly ana readily
be brought into requson 70 aid ono dssrous Of scang
The prisoner sat In chair by an opcp window r..A.
Ing small voiume the character OF which did not in
quire On my entrance he rose, and advancing toward
me with extended hand acknowledged an introduction
hand. Not expecting TO meet notorious character IN
such place, was somewhat taken By surprise whom
the name wss pronounced, and. after shaking hands
ventured to inquire once again the name sSurra ro
piled my new acquaintance, with SMILE 81 think 1
aasy % responds very IA ns
judge him TO DO ve feet nine ten inches high rather
slender in form-amost delicate. pcrhaps-aDd appar.
emily twenty eight old His hair Is vory light au
burn nicely cut and trimmed parted behind and combed
forward He wears moustacbc ana goatee rather
positive - their color than tho hair on bis head tho
rcst OF his face was carefully shaven Altogether his
appearance was that Of well dressed aud very
prcscnlab!c young man, and certainly the last one
that would be selected from crowd as desperate
character or villain. BE has very pleasant voice IN
conversation, good language understands himself
perfectly, usually wears smile upon his face which,
sdsr his deseron Of the woman that gave him brh Al
DIE time Of her sorest need.
After few commonplace remarks I ventured 10 ask
him leading question in regard 10 his escape 70 and
aud conceaent in Canada Putting on one Of his most
offensive smiles, he replied 81 have nothing to saw about
that" His manner Of reply. more than his words oon.
sonethng to boast Of great secret that would tend
to make him famous hcreafter--a mystery Tor the
void on and with which 10 associate his name
aBst" he added, "thcrs was no secresy about nv
LEAVING Canada ! went on board steamer Al
m'dy, wholly without dsguise. and with hundreds
Of icople on and about the wharf Tho steamer had
full two hundred passengers, with whom associated
freev during the voyage. Nobody recognized me.
snoyn saero were those among the passengers that
nor fom what port u sailed than that IL was one
of icgular limo leaving large city.
that recognized st Marie 0rst and that thew travelled
70 lely together. He manifests no vindictyeuesg
sowara this witness for having discovered him the
authcities but considers him treachcrousi fellow
and links no was mistaken In his character Surrast
says tat he had information OF St Maries treacherv
beforet was fully accomplished and was kent advise
from ne time OF the steps taken 70 secure His arrs
Had ~ actual arrest been delayed one day longer as
surranad reason TO expect would be, he would have
HrfauGemcn0
for detrion and flight being nearly perfected at the
time ofhis arrest
Manypocr prisoners whose crimes are scarcely worth
mentiotin comparison with the great crime associated
with Suratts name. would rejoice could their lifetime
be spentas cmfortaby as the prison hours OF this
universally ccused assassin An entire corridor full
thirty ft Il length and eight in breadth with three
large cells Te placed entirely at his disposal In this
corridor he s ,xcuded from the gaze Of the common
prisoners and he curious visitors by tight door closing
within the usua door iron grating whenever Il IA not
agreeable 70 hin to seek the open air OF tho prison
courtyard Az night only does he have occasion 10 feel
the rigors Of co1nement when he IL locked in the GEN.
ral Of the three elisa commodous apartmentat least
ten feet square rrue the furniture Is scan consisting
merely Of stoond mattress laid upon tho stone floor
though amply prvided with coverings
To while away Ae sometimes tedious hours OF the day
he s provided wit plentiful assortment OF books en-
bracinG the hed literature from the Divine truth 70
the siIios human RASH Comforts, and even luxuriee
for the toilet are 80 abundant His cuisine seems 70
be carefully ookedter BY outside friends and no re-
sricton Is placed upon the amount variety that is
sent him. Instead the brown loaf and boiled beef or
ordinary prisoners rrat has the choicest OF domestic
cookery, selected VIII the sole view Of pleasing his
palate
Moreover, the conorts Of home are provided FOR
him in the frequent md protracted visits OF his sister,
who calls At least eaclaternac day and spends the time
with him, cheering hh py her presence and ministering
70 his comforts Trueon these occasions the veteran
keeper before alluded shares the apartment with the
brother and sister, but he surveillance he exercises is
merely matter Of form and for any restraint exerts
upon the intercourse OF he brother and sister might as
well be diapeneed with. =