Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-02-23
LOCAL NEWS.
ARRAIGNMENT OF SURRATT
He pleads not Guihy-Iacidents about Tn
Court House

lie pleads not Guifty-Iaciden ts about th 2
Court House.
To. day John II. Surratt was broughtint the
Criminal Court. Judge Fisher, to plead TO the
indictment charging him with the murder and
complictkS in the murder OF the late President
Linco1n.N Surratt this morning had an inter.
view with Messrs. Merrick and Bradley ir oi
his counsel, lasting about an hour, at the end
of which time he proceeded to dlvest hImseI,
of his Zouave uniform ana put on a suit o,
ci'Izens clothes 70 be Ia readiness TO proceed 20
the Court House.
A report having gained cjrculation tb,, bs
would be arraigned this morning a large
crowd was attracted to the room and
such was the solicitude to get good positions
for hearing and seeing that a number OF per
sons scrambled over the rail into the crisuia al
dock. amid the laughter of the crowd. At the
rear WINDOWS OF the building number of ner.
sons stationed themselves. closely wi.tchin z
the jail. and al precisely 40 they were re.
warded by seeing the jail door opening and
four persons leave the building. These per
sons were Marshal GoodiDg and his deputies,
Gen " r. GoodiEg and Col. q. w Phillips,
with the prisoner. The latter walked with a n
elastic step. his hands Delng msnacIed. and
the Marshal arm in.arm with him They
waiked at an ordinary pace along An street,
ana entered j udiciary square, passing along
the pavement to the front door OF the east wing
OF the City Hall, through which they passed
ana INTO the prisoners dock in the courtroom,
which had b. en- cleared
In few moments Sanford Conoyer con-
vIcted OF perjury in connection with The con-
spiracy trials, was brought in, and took a seat
by his side.
District Attorney Darlington announced to
the Court thai the last grand Jury had found
an indictment against John X. Surratt. charr.
ing him Win murder; that the prisoner mad
been apprehended, and was now in court in
order that be might plead thereto and select
his counsel He would state 20 the court that
ne would be ready to try the case at early
cay.
Mr.. r. T. Merrick stated that the prisoner
was ready to plead, but would suggest tina; II
was not consistent with the dignity of ths
court that he should be arraigned in manacI.s
Judge Fisher promptly ordered trat the
manacles be taken off, which was done.
The accused was led from the box to the
north end of the green table by Marshal Coed
ing. and took seat near his coun sell the
Messrs. Bradley and Mr. Merrick Mr.. r. ] :.
Middleton, the Clerk Of the Court, said to the
prisoner: "John ii Surratt; stand up" and he
Immediately rose, but rather slowly, and MI,
Mefrick conversed with him a moment after
which the latter stated that he had Instructed
the prisoner how to plead.
Mr.. Middleton proceeded to read the indict-
ment, the prisoner, during the reading stand.
ing erect and almost motionIess, his eyes fixed
on the clerk.
At the close of the reading the clerk asked.
What Nv, say you' are you guilty as indicted. or
The prisoner-"Not guilty distinctly, but
The Clerk.-"How will you be triedl,
The prisOner.-ssBy my country"
Inc Clerk-"Way God send you safe deliv-
The prisoner took his seat, and in a few
moments was taken TO prisoners box '-A
Mr.. Bradley, ST. asked IL the District Attor-
ney gould fix day for the trial. To which the
latter replied that he was anxious to 60 to trial
at an early day, but could not now name a
day. "
The Court remarked that the next term of
fhe court would commence on Monday week
Mr.. Bradley said that he would confer with
the district Attorney with q view Of fixing a
day, 10 which the Court assented. -
The District Attorney asked that the pris.
oner be remanded to jail, and IN a few mo.
ments the Marshal and his dep ties with the
prisoner left the courtroom for the Jail, fol Z.
lowed by crowd TO the doer aud some at
tempted 10 follow him TO the jail, but Que or
$40 policemen from the 7th precinct ordered
tn em back. :
The prisoner was alfred In suit or black
cloth with white linen shirt and collar with
dark neckerchief. and wore black hat of the
Resorte style. he appeared some what thin in
nesh, has nose inclined TO be Roman, sunken
biue or gray eyes. brown hair combed hack
from his forehead and behind his ears, and
wears slight sandy moustache as also a
During the arraignmeAt Judges DIN and
Wylie were on the bench with Judge Fisher.
Ex-Governor Ford and Colonel Sol Hinkls
have not, as been stated, been retained as con a .
sci for the prisoner. ....r -