Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-07-10
THE EVENING STAR.
THE TRIAL OF JOHN 4. suhRlTT.

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THE TRIAL OF JOHN Il. slaRATT.
The trial of John H. Surratt was resumed
in the Criminal Court this morning, before
yudge Fisher. The crowd Of visitors seems
TO grow larger each day and many are not able
10 secure even standing room. The prisoner
and jurors having been brought in, the Court
vas opened.
Thomas j. Ragbold sworn and examined by
MIR. Bradley .-Witnees resided IN Baltimore.
In April, 1865. was connected with ford's the.
atre IN this city. Had charge OF the front O.
the house. Ordered repairs to be done. Was
the duty Of witness to fit up private boxes or
have it done. Witness was IN tne act OF giving
the Presidents mes senger the ticket when Mr..
James r. Ford came in the ONCE and he gave
the ticket Witness went TO the Star office to
put an advertise ment in. announcing that the
president and General Grant would visit the
tbeatre that evening. There was rehearsal
on the morning of the 4th. Witness locked
rae theatre door leading from the vestibule to
the theatre when = the oo, woman naa finished
in the drawer where 1t rem aimed until Mr..
Int the husband of Miss Kean, came
and wanted to 60 in the theater; witness un-
locked the door. and Mr.. Lutz went in, the
door was locked again by witness and the key
mt back in the drawer. Witness had charge
Of the auditorium Of the tneater. The private
SOme
time in the month OF M arch, during Mrs. Bow
ers' engagement, witness went to box eight to
show gentleman IN; the door was locked,
ar d an usher had the key. Witness broke the
door open to allow the gentleman to 60 In.
Witness was in front of the theater sc veral
times on the evening of the assassination was
not out between the second and third acts.
Witness directed 8 black man to 60 to the
room, get the chair, and place it in the box.
Witness afterwards saw the chair in the box
There Yves a sofa, small arm chair, and a
roc king chair in the box. The rocking chair
had long rockers, and was paced behiad the
door. Witness never saw the prisoner at the
bar before. The outer door leading to the
boxes never had lock or fastening on it.
Cross-examined by Mr.. Pierrepoint.-W Wit
ness never saw the bar, but saw the mole in
the wall. The screws were in the keeper,
hanging on the door the rehearsal commenced
about IL O'Clock; II was customary to call re.
hearsals at IL O'Clock; the rehearsal did not com
Inence at 10 O'Clock. Witness came to the the
atre that morning between and O'Clock; did
not state before the conspiracy commission
that the rehearsal connmencedl at 10 O'Clock.
Witness saw the rehearsal going on at Is min
utes past H. thought il took about three hours:
went TO his dinner about O'Clock that after
noon; was about the threatre until that time.
Witness duties required him zto -be.in the Of
fec Witness was on the st4ke Aat4fspeheafsal
didhot know how often.the scenes were pushed
in and out during rehearsal; the first scene was
about 90 feet from the foot. lie hts there was but
one door to enter the theatre during the play;
after the play was over four doors were opened;
stage entrance was on the outh Of the theatre
Witness first left the theatre that morning to
20 to the SfGr office; took an advertisement to
the S'aT; returned from the Star office imnie-
diately. Witness was connected with the the
atre more than year. Witness commanded a
company during the rebellion. was with Gen
Pope IN the alley; was taken home sick after
the battle of Cedar Mountain. s
By NIT. Bradley.-Witness was not on the
rebel side. ~ e. - ss-s.-.aE
Dy. Hna. 0. Baldegin sworn. and examined by
h1nrr rob tfVooS a s,r -
stefan. During the war was uiedlca, Off Ger in
they. S. Army Knew JOHN Lee, who was
detective at the provost marshal's Office. Knew
his reputation: it was bad amongiths people
hlua ON hiex cad
Gross examined by Dir. Pierrepoint:-Did
not remen Der whom he heard speak i'll OF Lee
It was a common report about the office. There
We're large number Of clerks and detectives
abs Ut fhr office. 5000.
John Wise sworn, and examined by mr..
MerTick .-Wi'ness knew John Lee. Had
never heard his reputation for truth and We.
Tacity questioned until this trial.
BY Mr. Carr,ngton Witness was an oficer
here Was well acquainted through the city
By Mr.. Merrick:-Q. During the pursuit Of
men charged with the assassination did you
meet Lee III the lower part of Maryland.
q Did he tell you he did not know John H.
Snrratt, and had never seen him?
objecsed TO by the prosecution. and objection
Mr. Pierrepoint said this was the fourth
timethe court had ruled on this question: and
Tor counsel TO continue putting these questions
looked as II they were endeavoring TO make
impressions on the jury. j.
Mr. MerrIek said he felt he should ask these
questions. and have them on record. a
Judge Fisher said il witness was to be
contraa. cted his attention should first be called
70 person, place. or time particularly, and the
foundation be laid.
r. B Aunson sworn, and examined by MT.
M.rfick Wines had been three wears in the
army. Knew John Lee; his reputation for
truth, was bad! Witness would not believe
min on his oath in q ease OF life and death.
Cross-examned Witness VS. now en-
pleyed in the Adjutant Generals office. Was
IN the same office with Mr.. Calvert. "It
were Jury man"-
Mr.TPierre point-Stop: never mind about
Mr. Merrick Let the witness answer; he
has right TO explain.
Witness resumed In ordinary every day
mat ers witness would believe him. (Leel 4
witness thought he had no occasion 10 tell an
uptTptb.
By Mr Merrick :-Q.-If there should be a
an answer by Lee. would you take his word :
Al would not. ST. Z
.Lemaei L. O7'me sworn, and examined by
Mr.. Merrick Witness resided in Prince
George county, Md. Knew Johu T. ,Tippitt.
He resided in Prince George county, ! Knew
mis- reputation for truth was very bah Wit
ness would nor believe him on his oath. No
indeed. sir. ELaughter,I
Judge Fisher said there was no occasion for
such laughing in the Court room. and he was
surprised that respectable people wouid laugh
4 ere.
Cross exarined.-ln the war he took sides
both ways. Witness during The war tried to
stand between he two sides. Never knew Tip
pitt 10 have good character. He was frs, for
South and then for the Union. Witness had
heard hts brother say that Tippett had a bad
Character. Never heard HIM spoken OF as q
gentleman. His general character was Judged
from the company he kept.
BY Dir. Bradley Witness could not recol-
iect any individual who spoke OF HIM. Would
rot like 70 call q mans name ont unless he
vas ure. No man In business would trust
Tlppett. The FACT Of his going in the Union
army did not make the people in the country
respect him any more.
Q-lou were q witness for the defense in
the conspiracy trial.
A. Yes, sir.
q. You were summoned there against the
good character OF a Government witness.
Objected ia by defense.
Objection overruled.
Witness did testify against DanI J. Thomas;
was asked about his character.
YIN. !. Watson sworn and examined by Mr.
merrick:-W Witness resided in Prince George
S StaI MD: knew John 2. Tippett. Witness
was born In Prince George county. Witness
was not an uncle Of Tippett; had understood
that Tippets's grandmother and his great
grandmother were cousins. Tippett never
told witness that Mrs. Surratt told him she
would give $1,000 TO any one who would XIII
Lincoln. Witness had 8 onversation with
Tippett about Mira. Surratt, shout the LIST of
April last The conversation was caused by
the uarrel going on in the House ar RAureeen.