The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-10
MRS. sURRATT AND STANTON.
Two Strange Stories Told by William p
Wood, Ex-Chief of Detectives.

Two Strange Stories Told by William p.
Wood, Ex-Chief of Detectives.
Washington Gazette.
Some time after the execution of Mss. Surratt
President johnson sent for me and requested
me to give my version Of Mrs. Surratts connec-
ton with the assassination of President Lincoln.
| did SO, and believe he was thoroughly con-
WINGED of the innocence of Mrs. Surratt. He as
sured me he sincerely regretted that he had not
given Mrs. Surratt the benefit of executive Glenn
ency, and strongly expressed his detestation of
what he termed the Infamous conduct of Stan
ton" in keeping these facts from him. I as
serted my interchangeable friendship for Mr.. Stan
ton under all circumstances, and while L
Secretary of War towards Mrs. Surratt,
l would never hesitate to perform any
act OF kindness for him. President johnson
commended me for my devotion TO friends. and
the subject of the assassination was never after
| wards discussed between him and myself. The
great War Secretary of the Union was no longer
in power. he was a plain citizen of our republic,
broken in health, and ~tottering between life and
death.
The Republican leaders had, after much plead
ing, induced President Grant to name Mr.. IStan-
ton for a judge Of the Supreme Court. The
Senate promptly confirmed the nomination, but
Grant, for some reason best known to himself,
did not put his signature to the commission, or
if he did sign the commission he did not forward
it to Mr.. Stanton. 1t was at this time the latter
sent for me, and called at his residence on K
obICGI. uoHcTcO lIlIO HIS presence i was
startled at his W oe-begone and wretched appear
ance. He inquired if l knew the reason why that
man (meaning President Grant, withheld his
commission. | told him. Then we drifted in our
talk to the executions herein referred to, and he
rebuked me for not making greater effort to
| save the woman that was hanged. He said he
| would have trusted his life in my keeping; that
/ would have saved him the torments of hell had
/ been more persistent in my efforts. 1 remind
ed him of my call on President Johnson to plead
for mercy for Mrs. Surratt, and that 1 was met
by L. c. Baker at the entrance of the Presi-
dents house, and Baker produced an order over
his (Stanton's) signature, which set forth that 1
should not be permitted to enter the building or
communicate with the President.
'"Too true. ne responded; '.and the Surratt
woman haunts me so that my nights are sleep
less and my days miserable, and Grant aids my
enemies by refusing to sign my commission,
which would afford me temporary relief, and
perhaps ~prolong my life. He will not do it, and,
| Wood, this is at last the end" Placing his
hands to his head, he continued: II cannot en-.
dure the pressure; | am dying, dying surely,
dying now!"
A few parting words were exchanged between
us, and the following day the death Of Edwin NJ.
Stanton was publicly announced. He never re-
ceived his commission of justice of the Supreme
Court. though he had been confirmed by the
|. Senate of the United States.