Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-01-09
Her Daughter ACquits General Hancock
of all Responsibility to Her
Mothers Fate.

A special dispatch from Washington
to the New York World says: In view
of the renewed comments upon the
part which General Hancock is said
to have taken in the execution Of
Mrs. Surratt, a representative Of the
World recently visited Baltimore to
obtain from the daughter of the unfor-
tunate martyr a full statement of all
she knew about the matter. Mrs.
Surratt's daughter is now Mrs. w. p.
Tonry. With her husband and two
children she resides at No. 1l8 Eager
street, Baltimore, in a two story I'M
pretentious looking brick house. On
being asked for, Mrs. Tonry immedi-
ately appeared in her parlor. She is a
young woman, a little above the medi-
um height, with rather pale complex
ion, light hair, blue eyes and regular
features. In all, her appearance is
decidedly prepossessing, though her
careworn face and sad expression plain
ly indicate the mental suffering she
has endured. Even at this late day,
nearly fourteen years after the sacrifice
of her mother upon the scaffold, she
seems, at times to talk and act as
though she were living over the scenes
of that horrible time.
Mrs. Tonry," began the reporter,
II have called to solicit a story from
you regarding the part which General
Hancock took in connection with your
mother's execution"
Before the sentence was completed
the lady seemed visibly affected as if
stunned by some unexpected blow.
Her expression Immediately changed
and her lips fairly quiv-
cred while she tried to suppress her
emotion. As soon as she was able to
recover her composure she said, my
health is not good, you must excuse
me, but the mention Of nay mothers
name brings all the facts of that hor-
rible day SO wildly to my mind that
| am not always strong enough to
control myself. Why is it that nearly
every four years newspaper men come
TO me, always about General Hancock?
| don't like him. He is not a brave
man. But what | might say would
have no weight"
She was assured that her statement
would be regarded as important, and
might tend to remove the vague
doubts so generally entertained re-
garding the matter. As she had not
seen the card of Father Walter vindi-
eating General Hancock, it was read
to her, together with the statement
published in an Indiana paper on the
same subject. When General Han
cock name was mentioned, she said
quickly, He had nothing whatever
todc with it. | suppose you have
COM fer ne to say something in his
favor; what could | say, or what would
it avail2'
The Worlds editorial comment
upon Father Walters card was then
read to her. She still persisted. how
ever, hat she could say nothing
which the public would accept, and
seemed decidedly opposed to sayin-
anything in favor of General Hang
cock, while at the same time she
seemed TO concede that he was inno-
cent Of the charges so falsely made
against him.
Why is it that you feel such a
prejudice against General Hancock"
she was finally asked.
Because" said she, "of his treat
ment Of me on the morning of the
execution. / went to him that morn
ing-can | ever forget ti-aBd begged.
implored and beseeched him to ask
the President and Secretary of War
to postpone the execution. What did
he doR What did he say? Nothing.
Do you think he is a MANI"
What could he have done, Mrs.
Topry2'
II don't know, but he might have
tried"
Wa he not kind to you? Did he
say anything offensive to your
He said, The president and secre.
tary Of war have made up theil
minds"
WAS that all?"
YES, but his manner was SO cold
He has no heart"
Was the statement | have reaC
from the Indiana paper, charging him
with indifference TO you, correct il
any particulars"
mo; General Hancock had nohtin
to do with granting me permits. Sec
rotary Stanton signed them and Gen
eral Hancock merely countersigne
them. | suppose he only did hi
duty as a soldier by obeying order
Stanton and General Holt were th
only men who controlled the presider
and they are the guilty'ones. Whe
mother was so sick in prison that sh
was not expected to live, they woul