The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-06-29
THE TRIAL OF JOHN n. suRRArT


the Criminal Court yesterday morning, before
and Wilson, for the prosecution tho MessrS.
Bradley and r. T. Merrick for the defence.
The crowd In attendance this morning was larger
than on any previous day, many being drawn to
the courthouse for tho purpose Of hearing the
testimony Of Lewis W. weichman. At least
6fty ladies were present, and occupied seats
within the bar. Among the visitors were Hon.
4. c. Ingersoll, Of Illinois, and Robert Lincoln,
esq, son Of the late President At 10 o'clock
the prisoner and the jurors were brought In and
the examination Of II
Lewis J. Weichman was resumed BY Mr.. Pierre
pont: Witness testified as follows on the way to
surrattsvillo, on April Itth, Mrs. Surratts man.
ner was very cheerful. We arrived at Surratts.
Vile about half.past o'clock. took the pack
age out Of the buggy and gave II TO her. She
won't In Mr. Loyds parlor. Shortly after she
called me 10 and desired me 10 write letter TO
Mr.. Nothey, telling me to state that unless Mr..
Nothey came forward and paid the rent she
would bring suit. Witness wrote tho letter She
aiso desired me to compute for her the interest
on si39 for thirteen years. l sealed the letter,
and she gave II to Me. Gwynn to be delivered.
was there when Mr. Lloyd returned about
half past Q o'clock. He saw me and recognised
me. ho nOllCcd llht the front HpTlDK oil the
buggy was broken. Mrs. Surratt directed him 10
tie a piece Of rope around IL; he did so. Did not
see Mrs. 0futt there. We left surrattsville
about half.past In tho evening. On the way
home she stated she was very anxious to be home
at o'clock, that she was TO meet some gentle.
man there; 1 asked her II Il was Booth; she
made no reply; said something about Booth
being In the city and not acting; her reply was,
Booth has done acting, and Is going to New
York soon, never to returnir she then asked me
II did not know Booth was crazy on one sub
ject told her did not; what that subject was
she never mentioned about two miles from
Washington there Is large hill, commanding
view Of Washington; the city was Illuminated and
We saw the lluminat ion from the hill; made some
remark about II being so much better that peace
had returned to the country she said, 81 am
aft aid all this rejoicing will be turned into mourn
ing, and oil this gladness into sorrow" l asked
asked her what she meant; she said after sun
shine there was always q storm, and that the
people were too proud and licentious, and that
God would punish them as we came into Penn.
sylyaniR avenue we saw torch light procession;
the horse got frightened at the brilliant lights,
and we were compelled 10 turn up Second street,
We arrived home about nine O'Clock; returned
| the buggy TO the stable and returned home; par.
| took Of supper. Mrs. Surratt showed me a
| letter which she had received from her son. while
eating supper heard some one rapidly ascend
Nuo 10 Tue uOOT FuIb
| Surratt herself answered the bell. l could hear
the footsteps going into the parlor the footsteps
were those Of a man he remained in the parlor
about eve minutes, and then heard the same
| footsteps descending the stairs. Mrs. SurTatt
remained in the parlor. After supper the young
ladies and myself went into the parlor. Mrs
Surratt asked mo which way the torch light pro.
eession was going. told her l thought 1t was a
procession Of arsenal employees going to sorenade
the President. She replied she would like to
know very much, as she was interested. As l
| recall her manner now she appeared very anxious.
l once asked her what was the matter. She
said she did not feel we'll. She had prayer beads
10 her hand was walking,.np and down the room
she asked me to pray for her intentions. asked
her what her intentions were. She said you
never pray fOr any ones intentions unless you
know them. The girls and myself were laughing
and jestipg. Mrs. Surratt said 20 Mr.. WEIGH
man, you and the cir are making too much noise,
1t Is time for you TO DO OF to bod" and In a
playful manner chased US out Of the psrlor; we
eft the parlOr. at the same time leaving Mrs.
| Surratt In the parlor alone. / went to my room
and retired for tho night Miss Fitzpatrick
slept 10 the room with Mrs. Surratt. The next
morning about two o'clock had been unwel
had been In the yard and gone to bed ngnlI
when heard the door bell ring very violently.
drew on my pants and went to the front door ant
was the reply come to search the house TO
John Wilkes Booth and John Surratt.
told them that neither of them were a
home. They said let us in anyhow, we wan
to search the house. told them l mus
ask Mrs Surratt's permission / told her
she said "for Gods sake let them come in
expected the house to be searched" l let then
I'M there were or officers among them Mr.
Clnryoe and Mr.. McDeyitt. The officers pro
cseded To search the house, l said "For God
sake, gentlemen, tell me what this menns;n on
Of them said do you pretend to tell me tina
= you do not know what has happened last night
said did not know They appeared to be as
tonished that did not know what had tran.
PRED than Mr.. Claryoe said ~ will tell you,
and pulled out piece Of cravati there wa
, blood on II. He said do you sec that blood
it Is Abraham Linoolns blood; John Wilkt
Booth has murdered Abraham Lincoln, and job
Surratt has assassinct ted the Secretary of State.
/ then went down stairs with Claryoe and Nc
Dewitt as got below Mrs. surratt came out Q
her room, and said, "WhRt do you think, Mr.
Surratt, the President has been murdered b
4 John Wilkes Booth, and the Secretary Of Stat
has been assassiuated. She said, "oh, IN
God, Mr. wo!chman, you don't tell me so {?
. and seemed astonished at the news. After th
detectives had gone, the young ladies came int
the parlor, and We talked about the murder
: Anna surratt commenced to weep, and said
"Oh, ma, all this will bring suspicion on GU
house, just think Of that man (Bootb) haviuj
been here an hour before the murder" She re
piled, ANNA, come what will, l think that J
Wilkes Booth was only an instrument in tn
} hands Of Providence to punish this proud an
lioentious people" Ibid not see the man who's
footsteps heard going up the steps; did no
see Mrs, Surratt again until the morning of tn
18th, 1 was at breakfast there that morning;
did not see John there that night! l told Mrs
surrat had my suspicious, and was going
} the Government TO state whom l had seen
I Booths company and do all in my power I
bring these parties to justice.
@ Did you 60 to the Government?
. Mr. Bradley. object.
Judge Fisher. He can state the fact If he ga,
: information.
0 Mr.. Bradley I note an objection.
v Witness resumed: | went to Mr.. Richards an
Q gave information. Mr.. HoIlohan was with IN
" and stated what he knew. That day MoDeyit
r Bigley, Clarvoe, HoIlohan, myself and otho
o went to the lower part Of Maryland. We Ar
p went to Mrs Herold's house. That was the ST
d went with Mr.. MeDeyitt to Mrs. HeroId' hous
We asked Mrs. Herold where her son was
rs Rscertained from DR.. Walsh where Mrs. Herold
s. house was
II Q. Did you 60 to a stable before that
1t A. did, and made inquiry Of a man nam
" Fletcher, at the stable, as to the description
y the man who hired horse from him. From Nj
!, HerOld's We went as far as Piscatawayj return
L. in the evening and searched the Pennsylvan
g. House. We learned that AtIerodt had gone
Baltimore. HollOhan, Claryoe, McDevitt q
myself went to Baltimore In search Of AtIeroC
ct on Sunday, the 10th. We stayed there un
IN Monday morning, and returned here about