Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-07-18
FHE EVENING STAR.
THE TRIAL OF JOHN n. SURRATT.
{ athoIic Priests on the witness Stand
Canadians sworn.
Character of Weichmann aud St. Marie.

-O
Character of Weichmann aud St. Marie.
The trial OF John H. Surratt was resumed
this morning in the Criminal Court before
Judge Fisher. and the testimony for defense
continued. AS usualthe room was crowded
long before the opening Of the Court. and many
were unable to obtain admission. The Jurors
and prisoner having been broughrn, the Court
was opened, and
Rsr. Father L. Rocofort sworn and examined
by Mr.. Merrick.-Witness knew Lewis J.
Weichman. Had q con yersatIon with him out
side OF the confessional
Odd he ever tell You that he was en-
ployed in an ONCE here under the Government
and furnished In formation TO the South.
Objected to by Mr.. Darlington.
MIR. Nerrick read from the testimony Of
Weichman where he had testified that he never
had q con yersation with Father Rocoffort ex-
cept at his feet in the tribunal OF penance, and
never told Mr.. Rocoffort that he was EN- ployed
IN an office, and furnished information to the
South.
Mr.. Darlington argued that the witness
Weichman could not be contradicted. They
charged Weichman with being an accomplish
and should prove 1t by facts, not by asking
Weichman collateral question and contradict
him by another witness. The defense was
bound by his answer
Mr. Merrick SAID Weichman was in thas
conspiracy, and was an accemplice. which the
defence had right to prove. He proposed to
show that Weiehman held an office here for
r
nlshlng the same to the Confederate Govern
ment; and as an officer OF the United States he
did receive snch information and transmit 1t to
the Confederate Government. The defense
mad right to show the sympathies Of the
witness Weichman, and what his associations
were. The Court had allowed the prosecution
TO put questions TO show the sympathies Of
witnesses and certainly the defense had the
same right.
Judge Fisher said putting questions to a
witness TO show his temper and sympathies
was one thing, and examining another wit
ness as to the same was another. If the de-
tense could show that it was the plan OF the
Lincoln then they could introduce this testi-
mony 10 show that Weichman was in the plan
or conspiracy. He thought the testimony was
not admissible, and therefore ruled 1t out.
Mr. Darlington said he did not wish to be
understood that he admitted that Mr.. WEIGH
man was a eonspirator, or did anything IN
oihcer he would defend his character at the
proper time
Mr.. Bradley: take that fer granted
Rer. Fdtter Walter sworn and examined by
Mr. Merrick. Witne-s knew Mrs Surratt
q. Did You admir- ter the consolation of
rengion to her On the day she was hung
Objected to and objection sustained.
y. Were You with her when she was led
from her cell to the galows.
A was.
q. Did she not declare tc YOU her innocence.
objected TO, and objection sustained.
z. Did not Payne declare, while being led
from his cell to the gallows that Mrs. Surratt
was luHOteuL, ana not connected with 0QV
conspiracy to murder the President.
Objected to. and objection sustained.
John j. ResreS sworn and examined by Mr..
Bradley. Jr.-Witness resided in Montreal,
Canada. Was tailor Knew the prisoner.
Made Garibaldi coat for him In 1905. Was
sure Surratt was the person who purchased
the coat. Witness saw him after he pur-
chased the coat between the 1lth and
18th OF April. After receiving the coat he
came back and said it was too tight. Witness
alteredr. Saw HIM at the hotel and saw him
a. air. RI tner Lapierres. He stayed with witness
By Mr.. Bradley, Sr.-Afier leaving the house
OF witness he went TO Long Point witness ac-
companied him about IS miles on the road
He went with q gentleman named Matevia.
Witness saw him ashort time bfore he lett for
Europe While at the house Of witness he
out the knowledge of witness.
Q-Do you know st. Marie.
Al do sir.
Q-Do you know his reputationl
Al do. Witness knew his reputation, and
knew be had resided in Montreal, but did not
know him personally.
Q.-WhaI is his reputation!
Objected to by Mr. Darlington, on the ground
that the witness must have some personal
knowledge. and not speak from general rumor.
Witness knew st. Marie resided in Montreal:
had seen him there. He was clerk in the Bank
of Montreal
By the Court.--Witness knew st. Marie re.
sided IN Montreal off and on for two or three
years.
MI Bradley said they would show all these
facts by another witness.
Cross examined by Mr.. Pierrepoint--Wit.
ness had shop in Notre Dame street; saw the
prisoner in April, 1865. He had his measure
taken about the Sta or 9th of April; next saw
him few day 8 after wards. about the nth: next
saw him about the 18th or 18th; saw him before
be started for Long Point. Metevia came for
Suriatt some lime in April, 1865. Witness
parted with him In a tavern; left him with Mr.
hIetevia. Never saw him after that. Witness
made pair OF pantaloons for him; never made
any priests garments for him.
Br MIR. Bradley.-He called at the house of
witness for stick which he left there. Wit
ness remembered seeing him once after leay-
stick. '01 '
SarxfeId b. Nogle sworn, and examined nv
Mr. Bradley Witness was an advocate Had
resided IL Montreal since 1855 Knew ST. Marie:
ne ne boarded at the same hotel with witness in
1883, Gu and 81. Witness was educated at ST.
Mary's College; knew DR.. Mcmillan while
there, Had known him ever since: knew when
ne resided in Lenoxville; knew him when be
was in The University at Montreal. Witness
had more opportunity for learning his char
acter while at Lenoxyiiie. Had heard his
character for truth and veracity spoken Of
oath. va 1''
Cross. examined by Mr.. Pierrepoint:-
heard MT Antoine frudau, OF Waterloo, speak
OF the character of Mcmillan. Witness. with
several gentlemen, were talking about the ar.
rival OF the vessel containing the prisoner
Frudau asked witness IL le was the same
NC MILAN VINO had resided in Waterloo who
denounced Sarratt. Witness had heard there
was a reward offered, and felt Surprised to
hear OF dc MILAN. man with whom he was
acquainted. should take the position OF in.
foiTer. He did not bear the character of q
liar ~hile NJ college. Witness took no part in
this war. Sometimes felt friendly towards the
South. Witness never had any strong sympa-
thIes with either side. His sympathies were
more 10 the Sonth than the North Witness
n.ver held the position OF public prosecutor
Witness never had any charges made against
INN.
BY Mr.. Bradley had no intimacy with
Mcmillan after leaving college.
BY Mr. msrrick From what witness knew
OF MCMILLAN he would not take his oath in any
law SUIT.
Mr. Bradley said he had several witnesses
who could not speak English, and req Vested
that Colonel ] X. O'Beirne be sworn as inter-
prefer.
Colouel O'Beirne was sworn, and Louis W.
Sicotte was called.
MIR. Carrington objected TO examining this
witness through an Interpreter, as ne could
make out TO speak Euglish.
M. Lopfs W. S,cotte was sworn and examined
by Mr.. Bradley -Witness resided IN Mon treaI
Canada; was an advocate by profession Wit.
ness was now employed In the Crown Law
Department. Had resided in Montreal since
i-IS- knew St Marie from 1859 to 1862. Knew
bls reputation for truth and veracity: ii was
very bad. Witness would rot believe him on
his oath
Cross -examined.-Firsr saw St Marie when
De wos law student al Mr.. Lachambeau's Had
spoken TO him on business Knew many of
MS frlends and aequaintances, Witness Inst