The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-07-12
suRRATT's TRIAL.

We give below the testimony oil tho gov
enment in the Trial Of John II. Surratt, up
on the point Of the defence - his where.
abouts on the l4th Of April, 1865:
Theodore b. Rhodes saw him about half
Pcs. elsysn in the Presidents box at Ford's
Theatre. Witness was passing there. no.
iced the theatre open. went IN from curios-
ity, observed the box door njar, entered the
box, and there found Surp,t fixing the bar
that was subsequently used to prevent en-.
trance from tho dress circle. Witness talk.
ed with him about the bar and Its purpose
and strength, and was entirely confident Of
the identity Of The prisoner. He had par.
ticular reason for noticing him, he said. be-
cause the man told him he was connected
with the theatre, and 30 witness looked at
him squarely to form some judgment as to
his fitness for acting. Rhodes Is evidently
a New Englander. Of the order Tinker
shrewd, original, opinionated. He was
with tho prisoner, In tho box, Tor fifteen or
twenty minutes. ''--1'" ~ 4-DU'. ''
David Reed saw him on the avenue, near
the National Hotel, about halfpast two, and
they bowed to- each other as Surntt passed.
This Is the only witness who testified at the
conspiracy trial to seeing him hero on the
fatal Friday. The gen,eel make and coun--
try work Of his clothing led Reed to notice
him-he is entirely positive as to his iden'
tity. Although now connected with q faro
bank, don't know that there Is any reason
for doubling his yerpcity, aud he y certain
~ o man Of intelligence. ,.,,,i,r, o. . Z
Benjamin w. Vsnderpool, an attorney Of
New York, then. a first lieutenant In tho ar
my, saw him about three o'clock with
Booth and TWO or three others at German
beer and music hall, on the avenue near
eleventh street. He knew Booth well. but
didn't know Surrati, and didn't speak with
them. lie 10 also entirely, positive as to
the identity Of the prisoner, and his face Is
that Of man 10 be believed. ,. ..'a1
William E. Cleaver saw him about four,
on horseback, near the government print.
ing Office. He called ont as they met. "how
are you John 2" and Sursn bowed to him.
He had known prisoner for several years,
and could not be mistaken as to his identi.
". He testified in the conspiracy trial, but
said nothing about Surrat, because no was
not asked anything, and did not choose to
volunteer evidence against his friend. Clea-
yer is hard case, and his testimony, stand
Ing alone, would not be worth much. r,,
John Lee saw him between four and five
o'clock on tho avenue not far from VIII
lard's. Witness had known Surntt five or
six months as a blockade.runner "To the
best Of my knowledge the man met then
is the prisoner at the bar" tie is not, Il
will be observed. absolutely positive as to
his identity. Professional detectives are In
rather had repute here, especially IT they
ever had any connections with Baker, and
this fact tells against Lee. '"
Scipiano GriIlo saw him at Willarl's in
conversation with Herold about five o'clock.
This witness is an Italian, who kept the sa.
loon in Ford's Theatre he was not quite
positive as to Surratt's identity.
Walter II. Coleman saw him about six
o'clock on the avenue near eleventh street
talking with Booth, who was on horseback.
They were in very earnest conversation,
and Booth appeared excited. Coleman is
q responsible clerk in tho Treasury Depart
mcnt. lie said he would not like to swear
positively, though he lad no doubt In his
own mind about tho identity Of tho man.
Frank w. Heaton saw him in front Of
Ford's Theatre few minutes after eight.
lie didn't know tho prisoner, but thought no
couldn't DO mistaken about seeing him there
at that time. Heaton 10 man Of character
and standing.
Sarah Ann jackson saw him at Mrs. Sur
rats about nine, aud served tea for himself
and his mother In the dining room. This
colorcd woman was servant at the house
then. Mrs. Surrat called the gentleman
with her "John,", spoke Of him as her son,
and pointed out his resemblance to Annie
Surra,t.. The defence tried very hard to
break down this witness, but accomplished
nothing. She told her story in way that
carried conviction. ........ ....
Sergeant Joseph NJ. Dye saw him in front
OF Ford's theatre at intervals from twenty
minutes before ten to ten minutes past ten,
and names him as tho man who called out
the time for Booth and another person with
whom no had frequent conversation. This