The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-30


admitted it my case was at an end, |
could not be in two places at once,
though they tried to make me so. Lis
ten to his reason for so ruling: 1.-THE
prisoner might have stepped down
from Canada to Canandaigua during
his concealment and signed his naml
there for the purpose protecting him
self In the future" 1t was likely
idea that the proprietor of hotel
would leave blank line in the register
for my especial benefit. Need / say
that the ruling was a most Infamous
one, and ought to damn the judge who
SO ruled as villain in the minds of ev-
cry. honest and upright man. Had
Judge Fisher been one of the lawyers
for the prosecution, he could not have
worked harder against me than he dill.
But, thanks to him, he did me more
good than harm. His uuprincipled aud
vindictive character was too apparent
for every one in the courtroom. L could
not help smiling at the time to think
of the great shrewdness and foresight
he accorded me by that decision. At
times, really, during my trial, L could
scarce recognize any vestige of my for
mer self. Sometimes | would ask my
self "Am the same individual? Am
| really the same John II. Surratt ?u
When that register was produced In
court, the Hon. Judge Pierrepont, the
leading counsel for the United States,
became exceedingly nervous, especially
when Mr.. Bradley refused to show it to
him, and he tore up several pieces of
paper in his trembling fingers.
He evidently saw what pitiful case
he had, and how he had been made the
dupe of his precious, worthy friend,
Edwin M. Stanton. AT the time of my
trial the proprietor of the Webster
House, in Canandaigua. could not find
the cash book of the hotel, in which
there should have been an entry in fa-
vor of "John Harrison" for so much
cash. When he returned to Canandai-
qua, my trial being then ended, he
wrote to Mr.. Bradley that he had found
| the cash book, and sent it to him. 1t
| was then too late. My trial was over.
If we had had that cash book at the
time of my trial it would have been
| proved beyond q doubt that l was in
| Canandaigua, and not in Washington
City.
On Monday when 1 was leaving Can
andatgua, l bought some New York
papers. In looking over them, my eye
lit on the following paragraph, which
L have never forgotten, and, don't
think 1 ever will. 1t runs thus: "The
assassin of Secretary Seward is said to
be John II. Surratt, notorious seces-
sionist of Southern Maryland. His
name with that of J. Wilkes Booth,
assassins." | could scarcely believe my
senses. L gazed upon my name, the
letters of which seemed sometimes to
grow as large as mountains and then to
dwindle away to nothing. So much
for my former connection with him. l
thought After fully realizing the state
of the case, concluded to change my
course and go direct to Canada.
| / left Canandalgua on Monday II NJ,
going to Albany, arriving there on
Tuesday morning in time for breakfast.
| When stepped on the platform at the
depot at St. Albans l noticed that one
of the detectives scanned every one,
head and foot, myself as well as the
rest. Before leaving Montreal for FL
mira, l provided myself with an Ok
ford.cut jacket and a round-top hat,
peculiar to Canada at that time. l
dangerous one, and L wished to pass
myself off as Canadian, and succeed
ed in so doing, as was proved by my
| witnesses in Elmira. L believe that
costume guarded me safely through st.
| Albans. l went in with others, and
moved around, with the detectives
standing there most Of the time look
ing at US. OF course was obliged to
talk as loud as anybody about the trag-
edy. After having a hearty meal l
lighted cigar aud walked up town.
One of the detectives approached me,
stared me directly in the face, and
looked him quietly back. In a few
moments / was speeding on my way to
| x1thn / avrixy q
O'Clock in the afternoon, going again to
the st. Lawrence Hotel. Soon after l
called on friend, to whom explained
NV former connection with Booth, and
told him ] was afraid the United States
Government would suspect me OF COM
plicity in the plot OF assassination. de
advised qne to make myself scarce. L
Immediately went to the hotel, got my
things, and repaired to the room OF
friend. When my friends tea time
came / would not 90 to the taple Win
him, but remained in the room. me
ladies wanted to know why he didn't
bring his friend to tea with himY he
replied that didn't want any. one VI
the ladies remarked: 81 expect you
have got Booth in there "Pernaps
; so," he answered laughingly. Ihat
was rather close guessing. Az hlgnt-
| L
afterwards proved to be a most devoted
friend. There i remained until the
evening of the next day, when 1 was
driven out in a carriage with two gen,
tlemen, strangers to me. One day /
walked out and saw Weichman on the
lookout for me. He had little idea
was so near. One night, about II
O'Clock, my friend, in whose house
was, came to me asd said, in smiling
way: "rhe detectives have offered me-
500, 900 if | will tell them where you
are" every WELL" said l, give me
one half, and let them know" They
suspected this gentleman of protecting
me, and they had really made him the
offer.. One day, about u O'Clock, l was
told that they were going to search the
house, and that ] must leave immed-
lately, which l did. They searched it
before morning. This gentleman was
roor man, with a large family, and
yet money could not buy him. re-
NAMED with this gentleman until le't
Montreal, within n week or so after
wards The detectives We're now hunt
ing me very closely, and would nave
doubtless succeeded in capturing me
had it not been for bIunder on the
part of my friend Weichman. He had,
! il appears, started the detectives on the
; wrong track, by telling them that had
left the house of Mr.. POrterield in
company with some Others, and was
going north of Montreal. Soon that
section was swarming with detect yes.
/ was not with that party, but about
the same time too left Montreal In a
hack, going some eight or nine miles
down the st. Lawrence river, crossing
, that stream in small canoe. l was at
tired as a huutsman. At 8 O'Clock
Wednesday morning we arrived at oul
, destination, a small town lying south
of Montreal. We entered the village
very quietly, hoping no one would SCI
US.
{ 1t has been asserted over and ovei
, again. and for the purpose OF damnine
, me in the estimation Of every homes
/ man, that / deserted her who gave M
a 4 - 4 .f IL