The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-03-13
Arrangement Of John H Surratt

On Saturday, at o'clock, John II g..
raft was brought into the Criminal Co 0u.'
Justice Fisher presiding. The court.roaa
was crowded by members Of the bar , ona
citizens who had learned OF the intent;ass
to arraign Shrtatt. 0u
The prisoner, who has changed his n,
ave suit for a genteel citizens suit Of bls. a
cloth, was escorted from the Jail BY MarsS SH
Gooding and Assistant Phillips, and on sa ~
irving in the courtroom was seated n IL.
prisoners dock. Every eye Was fixed pnas ~
Surratt, who bore himself with marked :
serve, evidently impressed With bis sita !.
| ton.
While the audience were eheaoad |.
scanning the prisoner, Sanford Conove.
one Of the leading witnesses in the tdhah;'
racy case, was brought into court to l.
sentenced for perjury, Of which he stands
convicted. Conover occupied the ssms
bench with Surratt, sitting side BY side
both apparently confused, Conoyer betny.
ing an indignant smile.
District Attorney Darlington announced
to the Court that the last grand jury had
found an indictment against john II. Sur.
raft, charging him with murder ). that the,
prisoner had been apprehended. and was
now in court in order that he might plead
thereto and select his counsel. He would
state to the court that he would be ready
to try the case at an early day.
MIR. r. T. Merrick stated that the priao.
ner was ready to plead, but would suggest
that it was not consistent with the dignity
OF the court that be should be arraigned in
manacles.
Judge Fisher promptly ordered that the
mauaclea be taken of, which was done |;
and that the prisoner be brought nearer to
the clerks desk, so that he could distinctly
hear the clerk read the Indictment.
Surratt was accordingly placed near the
District Attorneys seat, his counsel occu.
pylng seats near him.
Mr.. E. j. Middleton, the clerk Of the
court, then said to the prisoner, "Jobn ii.
Surratt, stand up" He Immediately arose,
and the clerk proceeded to read the indict-
nent, which is quite long, and details the
circumstances Of the assassination of Pres
ident Lincoln. During the reading Surratt
stood erect and almost motionless, looking
directly at the clerk. When his mothers
name was mentioned for the FIRST time he
showed some signs Of emotion, but instant.
" checked1it.
Attic close Of the reading the clerk ask
ed, What say you, are you guilty as in.
dicted, or not guiltyf"
The prisoner" Not guilty '-in a low
but distinct tone.
The clerk" How will You be tried I"
The prisoner" BY my country"
The clerk-"May God send you safe de-
The prisoner took his seat, and in few
moments was taken to the prisoners box.
Mr.. Bradley, ST., asked II the District
Attorney could fix day for the trial 10
which the latter replied that be IVES anx.
ious to go to trial atan early day, but could
not now name day.
The Court remarked that the next term
Of the court would commence on Monday
week.
Mr., Bradley said that he would confer
with the District Attorney with We've Of
fixing day, to which the Court assented.
The District Attorney asked that the
prisoner be remanded to jail, and in few
moments the Marshal and his deputies,
with the prisoner, left the court room for the
Jail, followed BY crowd to the door, and
some attempted to follow him to the jail,
but ore or two policemen from the Seventh
Precinct ordered them back.
Sirtatt is about twenty -four years ofage
has light hair, light eyes, fair complexion,
and regular features. His nose is aqailine,
and chin small. The general expression
Of his face is that Of nildness, md he is fat
from being the individual in personal ap-
pcarance that many have supposed him
IN ho-TNatinnal Tntal1irpnhnf