The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-04-08
An Interview with John II. surraIt.
Correspondence PiiLaeteIDhia Ledger.

An Interview with John H. SurraIt.
Correspondence Philadelphia Ledger.
WASHINGTON, April 3.-Contrary 10
the current reports OF the close confine-
ment and careful obscurity in which
the prisoner is held, found him oc-
cupying temporarily the watchman's
lodge in the Jail yard.
The prisoner snt in a chair by an
open window, reading small volume,
the character of which did notinquire.
On my entrance, he rose, and adVanc-
ing toward me with extended hand,
acknowledged an introduction with a
very friendly smile and courteous
shake of the hand. Not expecting to
meet 81 notorious a character in such a
place, was somewhat taken by sur
prise when the name was prOnounced
and, after shaking hands, ventured to
inquire once again the name. Sur
raft" replied my new acquaintance
with a smile. 81 think have heard OF
you before" I remarked: to which he
heartily responded, Every likely" In
stature l should Judge him to be five
feet nine inches high, rather slender in
form-almost delicate, perhaps-and
apparently twenty-eight years old.
His hair is very light auburn. nicely
cut and trimmed, parted behind
and Combed forward. He wears n
mustache and goatee rather more posi-
tive III NutlE COtOT Ine nAlF ON his
head; the rest of his face was carefully
shaven. Altogether his appearance was
that OF well dressed and very present
able young man, and certainly the last
one that would be selected from a
crowd as desperate character or a
villain.
My conversation with this man was
not so full and free as 1 could have
wished. He evidently was in no mood
to talk on the topics that were most
prominent in my own mind, and the
witnesses to the interview precIuded
me from making any efforts to get his
| confidence. After few commonplace
remarks, L ventured to ask him lead
| ing question in regard to his escape to,
and cOncealment in Canada. Putting
| on one of his most offensive smiles, he
replied, ~ have nothing to say about
that" His manner of reply, more
than his words, conveyed to NV mind
that he considered it "a good thing"
something to boast of, "a great secret.
that would tend 10 make him famous
hereafter-a mystery for the world and
one with which to associate his name.
But, :" he added, there was no secresy
about my leaving Canada. went on
board a steamer at midday, wholly
without disguise, and with hundreds
OF people on and about the wharf. The
steamer had fully two hundred pas
sengers, with whom associated freely
during the voyage. Nobody recog-
nized me, though there We're those
among the passengers that recog-
nized." He would not say W hat steam
er this was, nor from what port It
sailed, more than it was one OF a regu-
lar line leaving Il large city.
He spoke of meeting st. Marie in
Franco He Claims that he recognized
ST. Marie first, and that they Travelled
to Italy together. He manifests no
vindictiveness toward this witness for
having discovered him 10 the authors
ties, but considers him q ''treacherous'i
fellow, and thinks he was mistaken in
his character. Surratt says that he had
Information of st. Marie's "treacheryn
before it was fully accomplished, and
was kept advised from time to time of
the steps taken TO secure his arrest
HAD the actual arrest been delayed one
day longer, rs Surratt had reason to be-
ileve IT would be, he would have been
beyond the reach of his pursuers, his
arrangements. for desertion and flight
his arrest.
An entire corridor, fun thirty feet In
length and eight in breadth, with three
large cells. are placed entirely at his
disposal. In this corridor he is excIu-
ded from the gaze of the common pris-
oners and the curious visitors by tight |
door, closing within the usual Cloor or |
iron grating, whenever it is not agreea- |
bic to him to seek the open air Of the
prison courtyard. At night only does
he have occasion TO feel the rigors of
confinement, when he is locked in the |
central of the three cells, "a commodi-
Gus apartment, at least ten feet square.
True, the furniture IS scant, consisting
merely OF a stool and mattress laid
upon the stone door, though amply pre-
vided with coverings.
10 while away the sometimes tedious
hours OF the day, he is provided with a
Ptenuful assortment of books. Conn
forts, and even luxuries for the toilet.
are also abundant His CUISINE seems
to be carefully looked amer by outside
friends, and no restriction is placed |
upon the amount or variety that Is sent
Moreover, the comforts Of a home are
provided for him in the FREQUENT and |
pr9trNcted visits of his sister, who calls
az least each alternate day. and spends
tle taIne Win him, cheering hun 6y her 4
presence and ministering TO his com !
forts True, on these occasions the Vet.
er3u Keeper before alluded to shares the |
apartment with the brother and sister |
but the surveillance he EXERCISES is |
merely uatter of form, and for sny
restraint il exerts upon the interconrsa
OF the brother and sister, might rs we'll /
ba dfSDaUsa1 with -