The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-01-19
JOHN III. sURRATT.

The conspiracy of the assassins who
attained the unenvisble reputation of
sdding the most horrid fendishness to
crime in the assassination of President
Lincoln although hidden for time in
almost impenetrable mystery, was final
ly ferreted out. and the guilty perpetra-
tors, with one exception, received the
deserts which their offense called for.
Stunning the light of day, fearing his
own shadow and football avoiding his
fellow men, passing under an assumed
name tarrying a week here and week
ghere; fleeing across the illimitable
ocean, a stranger in a strange land, with
no home, no country, no friends; not
even daring to ask forgiveness of God
for his great crime, lest the winds should
whisper his awful secret to the ears of
man he fed on, and on-a hideous spec
tre ever upon his track, and the worm
Of remorse ever eating in his craven
soul To Canada, England, Ireland,
Italy, Egypt; around half the world he
fed as " the guilty fee, when no man
pursueth, and even the bulk of hem
isphere could not shut out the damning
recollection of his crime. John II. Sur
ratt has suffered a worse punishment
shan even those who expiated their
crime on the gallows. Previous TO the
assassination, he was travelling from
Richmond TO Montreal carrying intelli
gence, and met frequently with the con-
spirators at his mothers house, where
the plot was Matched and fostered. After
the deed was perpetrated, conscious of
his guilt and completely, he fed to Can
ada in disguise, passing under the name
of Mccarthy. Here he found refuge for
a time at Three Rivers. Becoming
alarmed, he sailed for Europe and ar
rived in Liverpool in September, when
his presence was Immediately made
known to Minister Adams, who believed
there was not sufficient evidence of his
identity and completely TO apply for
warrant from the British government.
From there he went to Londonderry, Ire
land, and remained until early in 1866,
when he went to Italy and enlisted in
the Papal zouaves. Soon after, the de-
tectives ever on his track informed Min
lister King, who at once communicated
with Secretary Seward. There existing
no extradition treaty with the Papal
States. Minister King consulted with
Cardinal Antonelli. who replied that up
ON proper indictment and proof he would
surrender him To our government.
After this interview, it appears that the
Cardinal, unknown TO our Minister, had
Surratt arrested at the village of Vile
tri with the intention of taking him t.
Rome for delivery to the American Min
ister. While on his way to that place
Surratt broke from his guard of six me
rushed over precipice an hundred feet
high, escaped into the Italian Territory.
thence by steamer TO Malta and under the
name of Walters made his way into
Egypt. where he was again discovered
and arrested at Alexandria in the latter
part of November. He was PLACED on
board one of Admiral Goldsborourh's
vessels, and is now on his way 10 tbs
United States for trial There is now
no probability of his escape. He has
confessed his knowledge of and com
plicity in the conspiracy, and his trial
will no doubt clear up many points that
have hitherto been involved in uncer-
tainty and doubt. The suggestion
made by some that he viii impiicate
President johnson and Jefferson Davis
in the assassination, is unworthy a sec
ond thought. God knovs they lave
sins enough TO answer for bat this is
beyond all belief In this connection
we insert the following vivid pen picture
from the columns Of the New York
Tribune:
A bright theatre-Death ieaping on
the scenc-a wounded man an bay IN
Virginia barn. defying his pursuers. and
shot by the blunder of a COLDER SICK
mans bed, and the assassin with his
knife at his throat-the secret -onsulta-
lions Of murderers, coming md going
under various names and dtsguises
These are the figures in that terrible
picture. in which, like those Of Rem
brandt, vast shadows enshrouC e fierce |
and lurid light. The gallOws, with four
eorpses, and one of them wcman-the |
Dry TOrtugas, where four convlcts ex-
plate in wretched solitude their crimes |
"a qniet grave far away in Illinois.
These ara chs for1Dnnior-pi suns. and