The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-18
The Surratt Trial.

WASHINGTON, June lin the Surratt trial,
which commenced to- day, in opening the pro-
secution the District Attorney said the prose-
cution would show 10 the entire satisfaction
of the jury by competent and credible wit
nesses, that the prisoner at the bar, John II.
Surratt, was then and there present, aiding
and abetting in that murder. 1t would show
that at the time of the murder he was in front
of Ford's Theatre, cooperating with John
Wilkes Booth. They would hear what the
prisoner said there. They would know him rs
the partner of Booth. They would know him
as the director Of the bullet that pierced the
Presidents, and the director of the knife that
fell upon the throat of the Secretary of State.
They would know that the companionship
then and there between the prisoner and Booth
was not accidental, but was the result of long
and premeditated plans and associations.
The first witnesses introduced only gave
detailed account of the killing of President
Lincoln.
Sergeant Joseph NJ. Dwyer .worn.-Is 4 re-
cruing sergeant United States army, now sta
toned in Philadelphia; was in the army in
April, 1865, belonged to Battery C, Independ-
ent Pennsylvania Battery at that time was
stationed at Camp Barry, at the intersection
of II steeet was in Washington at the time
of the murder with Sergeant Robert Cooper
in an oyster saloon went there from Ford's
theatre went from the theatre about half.
pasts9 o clock saw President Lincolns car
riage there at the time the street light was
directly in front of the theatre from q large
lamp saw numbers come out Of the theatre
at the end of the acts before before they came
down heard a conversation there in which
John Wilkes Booth took part.
Mr.. Pierrepoint.-Wha was that CONVEX
sation? Objected 10 by Mr.. Merrick, on the
ground that there was no connection between
Booth and Surratt
Mr.. Pierrepoint said that the grounds were
apparent.
Mr.. Bradley said they must lay some
grounds to show that Booth was connected
with the prisoner.
Mr.. Pierrepoint.-We intend to connect
them. The court said the evidence could be
taken, and if the prosecution failed to con-
meet the parties, it would be ruled out.
Witness resumed.-The first person who at
tracted his attention was Booth conversing
with 4 low, villainous looking person at the
end of the passage. 1t was but moment be-
fore another joined them-one neat in appear
ancc and neatly addressed. He entered into
conversation. A rush of people came down
from the theatre and Booth said to the others
che thought he would come out now,' as
the witness thinks referring to the President.
They aligned themselves along the space
along which the President would come TO his
carriage, and waited eagerly for his appear
ance; but he did not come and they again hur-
riedly had conversation and examined the
carriage, and Booth went into a restaurant.
The parties who came down had gone up.
Booth remained in the restaurant long enough
TO take a drink; came ont and went into the
passage leading to the stage but appeared in
a moment and the third party, neatly dressed,
stepped up and called the time. Looked at
the clock and stated the time to the other two.
The clock was in the vestibule. He, the one
who called the time, went up II street, but
did not remain long. He came down again,
looked at the clock, and called the time again,
looking directly at the other two, and appear
ing somewhat excited. He turned on his heel
and went up again. And il was then that he
thought something was wrong, from their
manner. As q soldier, witness had revolver
in his pocket with q handkerchief wrapped
around it, His suspicious were 50 aroused
that he undone the handkerchief. 1t was not
long before the same man appeared again in
fast walk. He placed himself in front Of the
theatre, with the light full in his face. In his
face In his countenance was pictured great
excitement and nervousness. He was pale,
and told them for the third time that it was
ten minutes past 10 o'clock. Witness saw him
plainly.
Questioned by Mr.. Pierrepoint.-Do you see
him nowH
Answer.--1 do.
Question.-Where?
Answer.-There he is [pointing at the prlso'
nerl. have seen his face frequently in my
sleep. He went again toward the street; and
Booth went in the theatre. Witness called
the attention of Sergeant Cooper to this cir
cumstance.- Booth went in at the front OF the
theatre. Sergeant Cooper and witness went
to an oyster saloon, and heard Of the murder
before they had eaten all their oysters. Went
then 10 the street and out TO camp. On the
way out lady hoisted parlor window and
asked us what
Objected 10.
The Court then adjourned.
| Negro Jury In Texas.
| NEW ORLEANS, June IA negro Jury was