The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-04-25
A VISIT TO sURRA ATT
Interesting Description Of the Prisoner.

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The interest attaching to the prisoner
John III. Surratt, now confined in the
Washington county Jail, charged with
completely in the assassination of Presi.
dent Lincoln, induced your eorrespon-
dent to seek and obtain an interview
and conversation with him. 1t is un-
necessary to dwell here upon the means
used to obtain this interview, despite
the stringent regulations which forbid
any intercourse with Surratt by others
than the officials Of the Jail, and his
sister, when admitted under surveillance.
Sufice:i it to say that in the case of my
admission the officers Of the Jail, in no
wise exceeded their authority or in.
structionJ in the premises.
Contrary to the current reports of the
close confinement and careful obscurity
in which this important prisoner is held,
l found him occupying, TEMPORAL, the
Tatchman's lodge in the jail-yard,
accom- panied by veteran keeper who
looks as if he might have seen half a
century's service in his present voca-
tion.
The morning was beautifully clear
ahd mild, one of those charming spring
mornings that make .he open air SO
enticing to suck as are compelled to close
confinement within doors. The little
building in which the keeper and his
charge were enjoying the refreshing and
ihvigorating air of an almost May morn-
ing was a small octagonal structure
of wood, with large, open windows on
seven sides, and a glass door on the
eighth. 49,.
The furniture consisted of stove, a
small deal table, two chairs, bench, d
water bucket and variety of old rub
bish. The yard in which this rather
loose prison is situated is enclosed by a
brick wall eighteen or twenty feet in
hight, having two gateways leading in.
to other yards, surrounded by walls
about ten or twelve feet high. I did
not examine these gateways to ascertain
if they could easily be opened, but they
appeared to be fastened simply by bar
on the inside. IF this was their only
fastening, and they could be opened as
easily as appearances indicated, the
security for prisoners was not very great
as the outer yards were filed with rub
bish that could quickly and readily be
brought into requisition to aid one de-
sirous of sealing the walls.
The prisoner was innocent of any en-
tanglement for his security whatever
He sat in a chair by one of the uppel
windows, reading small volume, the
character Of which | did not enquire
On my entrance he rose and advanced
towards me with extended hand. No
expecting to meet so distinguished {
character in such place, 1 was some
what taken by surprise when the name
was pronounced, and after shaking
hands, ventured to inquire once again
the name. "Surratt " replied my new
acquaintance with a'smile. at think
have heard of you before" I remarked
to which he quitely responded, &" VERY
likely" He was dressed in suit O
dark mixed goods, cut in the prevailing
fashion of walking suit, evidently new
Upon his head he wore black soft fel
hat, also new. In stature l should
judge him to be FIVE feet nine or ter
inches high, rather slender in form
almost delicate, perhaps-and apparently
twenty eight years of age, His hair il
a very light auburn, nicely cut anG
trimmed, parted behind and combet
forward. He wears a mustache auC
goatec, rather more positive in colo
than the hair on his head. The rest o
his face was carefully shaved. Altogeth
er his appearance was that Of a we'll
dressed and very presentable young maj
and certainly the last one that would
be selected from crowd as a desperate
character or william. He has a very
pleasant voice, in conversation use.
good language, understands himsel
perfectly, and usually wears a smile
upon his face. II ...
My conversation with this somewha
remarkable man was not so fnll and free
as l could have wished, He evidently
was in no mood to talk OF the topic,
that were most prominent in my o6r
mind, and the witnesses to the interview
precluded me from making any effort,
to get his confidence. After a few
commonplace remarks on the state oft
weather and such 'genegalities as usu
ally open up conversation, 1 venthrel
to ask him leading question in regarc
to his escape to and cencealmeut in
Canada, to which, with smile only, h,
replied, II" have nothing to say abou
that !; " but" he added, +" there was ne
secrecy about my leaving Canada.
went on board a steamer in midday
wholly without disguise, and with hun
dreds of people on and about the wharf
The steamer had fully two hundred
passengers, with whom associated
freely during the voyage. Nobody re
coguized me, though there were thos,
among the passengers that | recognized
He would not say what steamer this