Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-06-27

slight look at him then.
Lewis J. Weichmdn sworn and examined by
MIR. Plerrepoint.-Witness resided in Phila-
delphia, knew the prisoner at the bar very
well. First met John Harrison Sarratt, the
prisoner, at st. Charles College. near Ellicott
Mills, Howard county, Maryland, in Septem-
Der, 1859. In 1862 witae IS accepted the posi-
ton of teacher in St. Matthews Insti-
tute. on Nineteenth street, between G and
II taught for that institute about one year and
ten days, In the middle of January, 1868
met Surratt for the first time since leaving col
lege; Surratt visited me at the Institute; he
visited me there equently In 1859 and 1864
visited his home at Surrats vile in March,
1863; and there made the acquaintance of bis
mother, Mrs. Mary E. Surratt, and b is sister,
Anna. John presented me to his mother and
sister. The house is about ten miles from the
Nayy.yard bridge There was q bar-room and
post office there. The father died in 1862.
wish 10 state that during my first visit to Mrs.
Surratt we were aroused one night by a de-
lightfnl serenade. 81 81 - -
! Mr.. Bradley.-This is not evidence sef.th
| The Witness.-I intend to make it evidence,
and show where met Herold.
Mr.: Pierrepoint.-You can state who you
met there
Witness resumed In March, 1869, was
Surratt- Surratt visited me frequently in
1869 and 1864, and was always treated with a
great deal OF kindness. Mrs Surratt moved
commenced to board there on the 1st of No
vember 1864, or took lodging there. Com
menced to take my meals there on Dec. 1, 1854.
Susan Jackson did my washing about four
ored woman out Of the house did it. Did not
board in any other house from then until
the assassination. Was there on the night
Of me noGas The first one saw
the conspiracy was John Wilkes Booth.
OF December, 1864, and the 1st of Janu-
ary, 1865; in the winter of 1896, was in
lvited one evening to ta'e walk; when near
Odd Fellows Hall heard some call ont Sur
iratt; Surratt. on turning around, recognized
an acq uaintance OF his, DR.. Samuel Mudd. of
Charles county. Md. he shook hands with the
Doctor. and introduced him to me; Dr. Mudd
then introduced his companion. Mr.. Booth, to
both Of us; after the etiquette consequent upon
such occasions, Booth invited us to his room,
al the National Hotel; on arriving at the hotel,
Booth ordered drinks and cigars; the number
of the room was 81; Booth took some docu-
roents down, and remarked what a nice read
he would have to himself when LETT alone:
after little conversation, DR.. Mudd arose,
went out into the entry, and called
out Booth they did not take their
they returned to the room, and John Surratt
was called out; the three remained in the entry
for several minutes, and came back again. Dr.
Mudd then ca me over to me and said, Mr
Weichman, yeu will excuse us for this con-
versation; the fact is Mr.. Booth wants to pur.
chase my farm, but don't want to give me
enough" Booth said the same. 1 was then
III.
Mudd, and Surratt seated themselves around
centre table in the room, about eight feet from
me- They then began very private CONVEX
sation, audible merely as to the sound. Booth
made- marks on the back Of it; Surratt
and and Mudd were looking intently at
Nom an aronna Amer baY
Mudd in yited us to the Pennsylvania Hou-e,
where he was stopping. On arriving there j
talked with Dr. Mufd. Surratt and Booth sat
doWn and talked, Booth showing his letters
and Surratt evincing great deal of giee On
going home, Surratt remarked the brilliant
and accomplished young man to whom had
be en- Introduced was the famous yowne actor
Jehn Wilkes Booth, and he said that Rootb
wanted to Purchase DR.. Mudd's farm, ana
that he (Surratt) was TO be an agent in the
said to Mrs. Surratt, why had John made
himself an agent, she said, oh, the people of
Charles county, Md, are tired of Booth. and
are trying to push him off on John. 1 met
HeFold the second time at Piscataway church.
in the summer of 1864, with John Sur
rau. 1t was merely casual meeting
After the meeting. Mudd aad Booth, with
Surratt and myself went hoEae In the latter
part OF 1854 and early part OF 1865 he was en-
ployed by the Adams Express Company of
this CITY Shortly after Booths Introduction
to him he was very anxious to get two weeks
leave or absence to 60 to the country. The
Com pany refused TO grant him that leaye and
he took French leave in January, 1865 He
was only from the house several days; when
his answer was at Port Tobacco. He told ma
he Went horseback. Witness was here shown
hook, and testified it was register OF the
Maltoy House, baltimore, Md. 1 find under
the date OF January 21st. my own name and r
Harrison Surratt. as occupying room 121. NV
name is in my hand writing, and Surratt;s
name IN his. The names were entered on that
day by Surratt and myself. We reached Raj
timore on Saturday evening 2lst January On
the morning of the 22d after breakfast Snr.
rat TOOK carriage and said he had s300
IN to .nvao . ~. H.
some gentleman on private business. and that
he did not want me aiorg. Up to this data
Surratt had never heen!n any business. ex.
cept at the Express office. told him did not
care about what gentieE an he was going To
see, L had business of my own to attend to
He did not name the person who kent the
mouse where ne went. l returned home that
Surratt and l were so intimate and friendIv
thai we occupied the same room and bed Al
Mrs. Surratt's house. met Atzerodt about
one month after Surratt's Introduction to
Booth. / met Atzerodt in Mrs. Surratt,s mar
lor; he was introduced to me by John Su rratt
The young ladies at the house called him Port
Tobacco; he was witty sort Of fellow It was
after o'clock when first met him. Atzerodt,
stayed there about an hour. DO not rememher
IL he and Surratt wens out together; thew con.
versed together; Mrs. Surratt and Miss Surratt
also converted with him. Mr.. HoIohen
was a boarder at Mrs. Surratts SsW
Atzerout there about twenty times between
then and the assassination; he was there yerv
OlItH IHQee0. ReuoFdtiy NET MN there nv
return from work; he would be talking with
Surratt: Booth came there very freq uently: in
the early part of February, 1855, Surratt went
to New York; he did not STATE what he went
for, but he did state whom he saw there
John Wilkes Booth; he said Booth had very
fine house, very fine parlor, and he had heenn
introduced to Edwin Booth met Pavne TOR
the first time at Mrs. Surratt's house.. in the
latter part of February, 1855 was seated in
the parlor one evening, and heard the door
bell ring, and went to the door he asked me- il
Mr., SuIratt was at home; said not: then he
asked 1T Mrs Surratt WIS ut Rome; replied
yes, and he expressed desire TO see her: / in.
6 Guired his name, aud he said Wood: went into
the parlor and told Mrs. Surratt gentleman
Eanted to see her. She REQ uested me to intro
dRce him; did so; never saw the man he
fore, and did not introdnce him of nv own ao
cord. Mrs. Surratt said this gentleman would
iise TO nave supper, and as the dining room
was not arranged she requested rae 70 take
supper to nlm in my own room, i did so, and
satdoWn there while he was eating his sup
per. and asked him where he was from; he
said He was from Baltimore. My room was in
the third story. There was bed there table.
looking glass and three trunks. Witness here
described the honse and the entrances thereto
While Payne was eating his supper asked
bin what business he was in; he said / an, a
clerk in china store OF Mr.. Park. He ate his
supper and said he would like to retire: he did
retire In the attic. He did not sleep in nv
room. He never slept there. l saw Payne
aR ain on the 18th OF March, and as lnck would !,
have IL was again sitting in the parlnr and