New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-16
WAS MRS. SURRATT MANACLEDf

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: This mornings papers, on what pretendS
10 be the authority Of Gov. Harranf state that Mrs
surratt was not manacled during her imprisonment
attended the trial Of the conspirators day. There
was railing the whole length of end Of the room,
about three feet from the wall, in which door
leading they said to the prison The prisoners sat in
row. behind this railing Mrs. surratt being nearest TO
the door leading into the ante room at that side and
quite near that leading TO the prison. was given
chair in the AISLE just inside the door, and to
Mrs surratt that could easily have shaken hands with
her over or through the railing sat there two hours
sometimes touching the railing, when the crowd press
ing at the door for entrance induced me TO move my
chair 80 that part the time not more than
foot from her. She heavy black dress falling
the floor around her feet that could not them
hut every tune she moved them 1 heard chains
clank. had before that, lived 10 years on farm on
which was saw MILL familiar with the sound OF
chains and the difference between that Of wagon and
log chain The sound that OF log chain. II could
not have been made by anything but the heavy links OF
chain and chain must have been fastened to both
her ankles The sounds could not have been made any
other way The chains her ankles must have been
heavy enough 10 prevent her lifting her feet, for she
only slid them on the floor, one al time for little
change of posture She seemed 10 avoid moving 50
not TO attract attention to the chain for every time
they clanked she bushed painfully, blushed so
vail she wore over her face ! sat until she
was removed She with difficulty, leaning on
the arm OF the officer who seemed 10 be KIND.
She did not lift her feet in moving to and through the
door but slid one at time little way, think not fnr
Their than that the heel of the forward foot came
with the OF the other but all the time the links
ground ana clanked. She could not move one foot
inch without making them grind. Mrs surratt sat before
rather side OF her judges, chained with links
OF iron as heavy those OF log chain and while she sat
thus size WAS grossly nsuted by spectators, men and
wOmen or things that looked like men aud women.
Once she pale when OF these creatures said
" hope they'll hang bert Just look at her She looks
like deyilv could not bear II, but spoke out ana
SAID "she does not look like deyill She looks like
good, knd-hearted woman, and You are mean coward
for insulting prisoner" man, In reply SAID To me
"She's Rebel" and repeated. Coward coward
Mrs surratt looked up and our eyes met. The e1pres
sion OF nor face will haunt me 10 the grave, ana thank
God for the look Of gratitude IL but, as we were
getting up quite side show, officer forced his way
10 as, see what the matter i told him that
people were Insulting the prisoner. He made them
stand back, moved my chair 10 the other side OF the
aisle aud set at the door, keep order and pre-
vent holding communication with the prisoner. Mrs
snrratgs chains a subject OF conversation
ma Washington at the time. wrote an account, at the
comInen ed npon and this morning 10 the first time
have ever heard any denial OF the fact MTs Surratt
was fctered she sat vtarIy through the long hours
and days Of that tliaI JANE q. ehIhrBELE.
JiistaTgh, Sept Is, lt73