Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-06-28
THE TRIAL Of JOHN H. SURRATT.
weichman on the stand all Day

The trial of John H. Surratt was resumed
in the Criminal Court this morning, before
Judge Fisher; Messrs. Carrlngton, Pierre
point. and Wilson, for the prosecution; the
Messrs. Bradley and r. T. Merrick for defense.
The crowd in attendance this morning was
larger than on any previous day, many being
drawn to the Court House for the purpose of
hearing the testimony Of Lewis ]. Welchman.
At least fifty ladies were present, and occupied
seats with, the bar. Among the visitors were
Hon. +. c. Ingersoll. Of Illinois, and Robert
Lincoln, Esq, son Of the late President At
ten O'Clock the prisoner and the jurors were
brought in, and the examination Of
Lewis j. Weichnnn was resumed by Mr..
Pierrepoint.-Witnest testified as follows On
the way to Surrattsville, on April 14tb, Mrs.
Surratt's manner was very cheerful. We ar
rived at Surratts VILE about u O'Clock. took
the package out of the buggy and gave it to
after she called me in and desired me to write
a lettsr to Mr. Nothey, telling me to state that
unless Mr.. Nothey came forward and paid the
rent she would bring suit. Witness wrote the
letter. She also desired me to compute for her
the interest on S439 for thirteen years. sealed
the letter, and she gave IL to Mr.. Gwynn to be
delivered. 1 was there when Mr.. Lloyd re-
turned, about 6x o'clock He saw me and
recognized me. He noticed that the front
spring of the buggy was broken. Mrs. Sur.
raft directed him to tie piece of rope around
it; he did SO. Did not see Mrs Offutt there. We
lett Surrattsville about6x in the evening. On
the way home she stated she was very ANXIOUS
to be home at O'Clock, that she was to meet
some gentlemen there; l asked her il it was
Booth; she made NO reply; I said something
about Booth beingln the city and not acting;
her reply was "Booth has done ting, and is
going to New York soon, never to return"
she then asked me IL did not know Booth was
crazy on one subject:I 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 illumi.
ho "a ,Qrk hon
about it being so much better that peace had
returned to the country; she said 81 am afraid
all this rejoicing will be turned into mourn
ing, and all this gladness in to sorrow" asked
asked her what she meant; she said after
sunshine there was always q storm, and that
the people were too proud and licentious, and
that God would punish them; as we came into
Pennsylvania avenue we saw rch-light
procession; the horse got frightened at the
brilliant lights, and we were compelled
to turn up Cd street; we arrived home
about nine O'Clock; returned the buggy to the
stable, and returned home; partook OF supper.
MRS. Surratt showed me letter which she
had received from her son, while eating sup.
per. heard some one rapidly as ascending the
front stairs leading to the door. Mrs. Surratt
herself answered the bell. l could hear the
footsteps going into the parlcr; the footsteps
were those OF man; he remained in the par
ior about FIVE minutes. and then l heard the
same footsteps descending the stairs. Mrs.
Surratt remained ia the parlor After supper
the young ladies and myself went into the
parlor. Mrs. Surratt asked me which way
the torch light procession was going. l told
her thought it was procession of Arsenal
employees going to serenade the President
Sne replied she would like to know very
much, as she was interested. AS / recall her
manner now she appeared very anxious. l
once asked her what was the matter. She said
she did not feel well. She had prayer beads
In her hand; was walking up and down the
room she esked me TO pray for her lnteRtions.
asked her what her intentions were. She
said you never pray for any one S intentions
unless you know them. The girls and myself
were laughing and jesting. Mrs. Surratt said
Ing too much noise it is time for you to be off to
bed" and in playful manner chased us out
Of the parlor; we left the parlor, at the same
time leaving Mrs. Surratt in the parlor alone
l went to my room and retired for the night
Miss Fitzpatrick slept IN the room with Mrs.
Surratt. The next morning about two O'clock
had been unwell, had been In the yard and
gone TO bed again when L heard the door bell
ring very violently. drew on my pants and
went to the front door and inquired VINO
was there Government officers was the
reply; come to search the house for John
Wilkes Booth and John Surratt. l told
them that neither Of them were at home.
They said let as in anyhow, we want
to search A. the house l told them 1
must ask Mrs. Surratt's permissIon; told her:
she said "for Gods sake let them come in l ex-
pected the house to be searched" LET them in;
there were or officers; among them Mr..
Claryoe and Mr.. McDevitt. The officers pro-
ceeded to search the house, returned TO my
room; they searched my room; said for God
sake entiemen tell me what this means; one
OF them said do you pretend to tell me tha,
you do not know WI hat has happened last night;
said did not know They appeared TO be
astonished that l did not know what had
transpired; then Mr.. Clarvoe said will tell
was blood on It, He said do you see hatblood;
1t is Abraham Lincoln's blood; John Wilkes
Booth has murdered Abraham Lincoln, and
John Surratt has assassinated the Secretary OF
hon ofa afro
AND McDevitt; as got below Mrs. Surratt came
ont OF her room, l said, "What do you think
Mrs. Surratt, the President has been murdered
by John Wilkes Booth and the Secretary of
my God, Mr.. Weichman, you don't tell me
so;" and seemed astonished at the news. After
the detectives had gone, the young ladies came
into the parlor. and we talked about the mur-
der. Anna Surratt commenced to weep, and
said, "Oh, ma, all this will bring suspicion on
our house. Just think OF that man (Booth)
She replied, Anna, come what will, think
that j. Wilkes Booth was only an instrument
in the hands Of Providence to punish this
proud and licentious people" did not see
Steps; did not see Mrs. Surratt again until
the morning Of the 18th; was at breakfast
there that morning. 1 did not see John there
that night. told Mrs. Surratt had nv sus.
state whom had seen in Booths company.
and DO all in my power to bring these parties
10 1ustlce.
Q.-Did you 60 to the government Il
Mr.. Bradley object.
Judge Fisher.-He can state the fact II he
gave Information. s -.
Mr.. Bradley.-l note an objection
Witness resumed. l went 70 Mr.. Richards
and gave information. Mr Hollohan was
with me and stated what he knew. That day
McDevitt. Bigley. CIarvoe, Hollohan, myself
and others went to the lower part Of Mary
land We first went to Mrs. Herold's house.
That was the 18th. l went with Mr.. McDev.
lit to Mrs. Herold's house. We asked Mrs
Herold where her son was. I ascertained from
Dr. Walsh where Mrs. Herold's house was.
Q.-Did you 60 to a stable before that.
A. did, and made inquiry Of q man named
Fletcher, at the stable, as TO the description of
the man who hired a horse from him From
MI. Herold's we went - far AZ Piscata way;
returned in the evening and searched the
Pennsylvanta House. We learned that Atze-
rodt had gone to Baltimore. Hollohan, Clar.
voc, McDevitt, and myself went to Baltimore
In search OF Atzer0dt, ON Sunday. tho 16th
We stayed there until Monday morning, and
returned here about six O'Clock q. m. That
DAY we decided to 60 to Canada in pursuit of
John Surratt. At three o'clock, Bigley,
0cDevitt, Hollohan, Mr.. Rhees or Niece, and
myself started for Canada. Clarvoe started,
but did not 90 to Canada with as; he
left ns at Philadelphia. In Philadelphia,
Mr. Clarvoe arrested q man named Ueles.
tine, and returned to Washington. The
rest OF rs went on; reached New York