Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-17
Surratt's Trial.

nature of Jno. Harrison on the register of
the Webster House. in Canandaigua, as
that of Surratt
j. B. Tinsley identified the register book
Of the Spottswood House, Richmond, Va.
A man named Harry Sherman came there
on March 10Th, 1865, aud remained till
April lst.
Bates recalled, and testified he believed
the signature Of Henry Sherman to be
that of Jno. Surratt.
Henry Hall testified that he was EN-
ployed at Richmond in March and April,
1865 Was there March 10Th, 1865. Saw
the prisoner that day. Knew who he was
and that he passed under the name of
Henry Sherman. @. State if you went
with the prisoner to the Office of Mr.. Ben
jamin that day. Pierpont objected, and
the objection sustained by the court, as the
matter was not relevant to the case, and
the witness not allowed to state what Sur
raft did there, and how engaged, etc. Mr.
Bradley accepted the ruling of the court.
Witness saw Surratt at Richmond last on
the 31st of March.
Francis Burke sworn. In 1865 / was
coachman to the President. On the night
of the assassination, when at the theatre,
was in the carriage box all the time, ex-
cepting five minutes, when a friend asked
me to take glass of ale. Did not notice
persons peeping into the carriage. Saw no
person sitting around the room.
H. H. Bragdon recalled Brady, and
said he proposed to ask the witness whether
he did not see Mr.. Benjamin pay Surratt
ten twenty-dollar gold pieces, and whether
he knew for what purpose the money was
paid. Objected to, and the objection sus-
tanned.
Mr.. Merrick said he now proposed to
overthrow the evidence in the affidavit of
DIR. Mcmillan taken before the United
States Consul at Liverpool, about the con-
fessions of Surratt when he sailed out
Stephen F. Cameron sworn: Witness
was 10 the Confederate service during the
war went to Europe in company with
DIR. Mcmillan on the steamship Nova
Scotia, from Quebec; DR.. Mcmillan stated
that Surratt told him be was in England
on the 18th of April, 1865, and only then
learned, for the first time, that the Presi-
dent had been assassinated. He stated dis
tinctly that it was then he had first heard
of the assassination, and Immediately
turned his face toward Canada. The DIR.
asked witness if he did not think he (McM)
was compromising himself by extending
assistance to Surratt. He said Surratt told
him that the entire plan for the abduction
of the President was laid by Booth, who
had expended from $4,000 to $4,000 in it.
he said he had never repeated his CONVEX
sation with Surratt to any person but wit
ness.
Witness was cross-examined at length,
but nothing additional bearing on the case |
was elected.
Lewis j. Corlaid was recalled and stated |
that he knew Weichman, and took a walk |
with him in the summer of 1865; they |
called on Mr.. B. Apley during the walk; |
Weichman stated that he was troubled |
about the way he had testified before the |
Military Commission, and wanted witness
to go with him to st. Aloysus to make a
confession; witness told him he had better
go before magistrate and make his state
ment; he replied he would if he dared, but |
was afraid he would be charged with per-
Jury; he said if he had been permitted to
do as he desired in teshfying, it would have
been different with Mrs. Surratt that a
statement had been prepared for him,
which he was told to swear to, or in case of |
refusal, he was threatened with completely
with the conspiracy; he said a man told |
him he had been talking in his sleep; the
man had written out a statement Of what
Weichman had said, and that he must
swear to it.
Jas. Clifford recalled: Witness was at
Carroll Prison with Weichman; witness
heard an officer tell him if he did net
swear to more than he had told, he would
be hung; Jas. Maddox was present at the
time.
Mr.. Pierpont asked the court to strike
out the last answer as it did not relate to
the trial, and was not contradictory of anys
thing Weichman had said The court |
ordered it to be struck, and Bradley noted |
an exception that witness desired. WEIGH |
man did not tell witness Mr.. Bingham said |
to him if he did not testify to more than he |
had, he would be treated as one of the con
spirators the officer told Weichman in |
presence Of witness. The court ruled the |
question out of an exception. Witness re-
suming, he said he had never had any |
conversation with Weichman about the |
matter after the officer said to him what |
he had just testified.
John NJ. Hewes sworn: Was in this city |
in April, 1865, playing at Ford's theatre; |
saw Booth on the 18th April he was on |
horseback twas at one of the triangular /
squares conversed with him five minutes;
shook hands nervously he placed a sealed /
paper in witness hands; saw it afterwards |
in witness room after the shot was fred /
witness read and burned it; it was il the
handwriting of Booth.
Question What were the contents of |
that letter, and by whom signed
Mr. PierpOnt l object to that, and cont
desire to discuss such proposition.
Mr.. Bradley said il was a serious matter,
and asked the court to indulge the counsel
to discuss it the remainder of the evening. |
1t was expected to show that the contents
of that letter was an agreement between
four eonspirators, neither of whom were on
trial here; he did not know whether this
matter had ever reached the ears of the
court; this witness had been examined be-
fore the Judiciary Committee, and that
was how the defense had found the matter
out.
The court said it had studiously avoided
hearing and reading anything concerning
this matter, presuming it might possibly
have to try some case connected with the
1t did not think the counsel
would hold so meanly of it as to approach
IL with hyIhlng OF the klnu beforehand |
Mr.. Bradley stated that he did not think
it would be wrong for the court to see or
read the contents of the letter, and form an
opinion as to its admissability, but thought
it was grave matter, as showing who were
the original plotters, and directly touching
The innocence of the prisoner.
The court then took recess till to-mor-
row.
Washington Items.