The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-12-03
RETRIBUTION.

RETRIBUTION.
A "Reminiscences of John ID. Suratt
Trial.
/ In connection with the arrest of Benjamin
+ H. Spandauer, in Baltimore, some days ago.
it was stated that Spandauer had been ac-
tive in procuring false evidence TO convict
the martyred Mrs. Suratt of completely IN
the Lincoln murder Since Spandauer ar
rest inquiry has been made into the subject,
and it has been learned thai he had nothing
to do with the trial of Mrs. Surratt, but was
an active agent in manufacturing testimony
against John IL. Surratt.
Those who were present at the trial OH ohm
H. Surratt at the faithful moment when the
prosecution rested its case wondered why a
group of witnesses who were expected TO
prove Surratt's presence IN Washington on
the night of the 18th of April, 1860, and
other damning facts, were not called. These
witnesses were suborned. The fact that their
contem plated perjury had become known to
the friends of John Surratt was the reason
why they were not put on the stand.
Benjamin Spandauer played the part OF
procurer of evidence made-to-Order, which
was 10 be used by the prosecution to prove
the guilt of the unhappy prisoner. Span
dauer was either instigated or made the pro-
posal to the notorious Holland Richardson.
BE this as it may, we are informed by
gentleman we'll acquainted with the history
Of John Surratt and his mother that during
the trial he was informed by gentlemen
connected with u certain benevolent order
that poor Pole, who then lived on Lum-
bard street. near Frederick, had been ap-
preached by Spandauer, who had brlbed HIM
to testify to certain facts that would NIX the
guilt of Surratt. The Pole followed the bus
mess of gathering rags, old iron ana other
refuse around Washington, which he haul
ed in wagon to Baltimore. Spandauer Oh
fered him 800 if he would swear that after
midnight of the 14th of April, 1865, while
resting on the highway near Bladensburg, a
man resembling Surratt, muttied in a shaw |,
came from the direction of Washington, and
asked him to take him to Baltimore. lie
was to swear that he agreed to do so; that
they drove on to Baltimore, and when they
reached the suburbs the passenger got down
and walked rapidly off He was to look upon
the prisoner at the bar and swear that in
general appearance he was identified with
the man who got into the wagon at Bladens-
burg.
The Pole was poor and needy and closed
with Spandauer's offer His conscience at
length began TO quicken, and he made a
clean breast Of the matter to the gentleman
mentioned above The informant was thun-
der-struck. He hurried to Washington and
told Joseph r. Bradley, one of Surratt's
counsel He saw Spandauer in constant
communication with Holland Richardson,
who made his headquarters at the office of
Mr. Darlington, the prosecuting attorney
for the district The Pole and other sub.
orned witnesses were quartered at the Ma
tional hotel, and Spandauer was III constant
communication with them. The Pole was
to swear as above stated. Another was to
swear that he saw Surratt board the morn
ing train from Baltimore to Philadelphia on
the 10Th of April, and travelled with him to
the latter city. Another was to swear that
Surratt bought wig and beard from him,
and that he clearly recognized him.
Fortunately for Surratt, as well as for the
government, the Poles son let out innocent
" that his father was to be well paid for
his trouble. The prosecution either learn
ing for the first time of Spandauer's conduct
or fearing scrutiny, declined to call the
bought up periurer. eve rest here, SAID
Edward Pierrepoint, senior counsel tor the
government. care you not going to call
these witnesses ?' said Joseph p. Bradley
significantly. eve have nothing further
to Offer" replied Pierrepoint, except in the
way OF rebuttal," or with words to that
effect.
The witnesses were not called. His coun-
sci pitted their splendid eloquence against
the venom of the prosecutors, and Surratt
was delivered from the doom marked out
for him.
The witnesses received their fees and
hotel expenses. Richardson hung around
Baltimore and finally disappeared. Span
dauer, too, vanquished, and at length, re-
appears charged with an offense which shows
that he is still the william of other days,
John Surratt walks the earth a free but
heart broken man. His sister is wearing
out her life in the treadmill of a country
school. The government provides for the
daughters of veterans, for the creatures of
the lobby and the daughters of political
| hacks, but closes its doors remorselessly
upon the victim of its cruelty. Her MUIR
dered mother has doubtless found mercy at
that Tribunal where judges never tremble
| and juries never err.
Time has mellowed the heart-burnings of
those terrible days. The packed military COM
mission and its victims are at times forgot
ten, but not for long. The dark spot upon
] the national ermine will never be washed
| out. Viewed in the clear cold light of his
tory, it grows more and more crimsoned as
| the days glide by.
| The lives and deaths of the blood Thirsty
Judges prove the animus that inspired them.
! Lane sleeps in a suicides grave and asks in
Kings fatal leap into the rushing waters of
| the Hudson quieted his remorse upon earth.
John A. Bingham, far from the haunts of
his fellow-men, seeks the repose which his
troubled spirit yearns for, but cannot find.
The hoary-headed Holt drags out the rem
nant of bis days in obscurity, and waits
| fearfully for the summons of the dread
avenger. Stanton, the arch inquisitOr OF
all, braved the taunts of his fellow men for
season, but at length conscience came as
Alecto, and the temple of justice whereat
he stood escaped PROCLAMATION"
| These facts can readily be verified by APP
plying to the counsel of John II. Surratt,
and are well known to others, among whom
is a gentleman of Baltimore, through whom
we obtained them. His name is not given,
but if any one doubts the statement he will
be furnished with the names of gentlemen
of undoubted veracity and stand ing, who
will affirm every word of it..