St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-17
NIGH UNTO DEATH
A Renaissance of a Startling and
Dramatic Event of the War.
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Where John II. Surratt Was When
He Got the News-His Flight, Cap
ture and Trial as Told by Him.
self-A Thrilling story
BALTIMORE. Nd. June 1. /,

few hours before Lincoln was assassinated.
Surratt was commercial traveller, or passed
Tor such; he certainly had business with
some Elmlra merchants, and it was in store
that was introduced to him. He was a
slender, well-dressed young fellow, with good
manners, and if he had any leanings to the
South, or felt any chagrin over the recent
collapse of the Confederacy, he kept it to
himself.
The following day, Saturday the 18th, the
whole country was Mortified at the cruel
murder of the President, and it was known
throughout the length and breadth of the
land that Mrs. Surratt was arrested as one of
the conspirators and that a warrant was out
for her son, John Fl.
That the young man in EImira had no
direct connection with the murder of Mr..
Lincoln and the attempted murder of his
cabinet was very evident, yet that he was as
ISOLATED with the conspirators became GER
tainty when he suddenly vanished, without
leaving behind him trace, so that for two
years, while glimpses were had of him here
and there, he remained undiscovered. Had
he been captured at that time he would have
hanged with his mother, or neither would
have hanged; but SO incensed were the peo-
pie at the time that it does not seem possible
that he could have been cleared in '65 when
he came SO near to conviction in 81, after
time had appeased the wrath of the people
and an impartial trial was possible.
1t will be remembered by those who recall
Surratt's trial before Judge Fisher in Wash
ington, that he confessed that as soon as he
learned of what had been done by the con-
spirators he fled to Canada, without a cent
in his pocket, so that much of the journey
had to be made on foot. From Canada he
made his way to Europe, and being Catho-
lie he succeeded in reaching Rome, where he
enlisted in the corps known as the "Papal
Zouaves," and while in this service he was
discovered by the United States detectives,
extradited and brought home for trial.
On the trial it was pretty clearly shown
that Surratt, if not a fellow-conspirator at
least associated with Booth, Paine and the
others, and that during the war he acted as
a spy and secret courier of the Confederacy.
successfully carrying messages between
Richmond and the Southern Commissioners
in Canada and that his mercantile business
was assumed merely as blind to disguise
his real purpose. This offense, like stealing
among some of the ancient Greeks, was en-
tirely legitimate go long as it remained unde-
tected. These facts with his flight told
strongly against Surratt on the trial, and it
is very certain That the evidence would have
convicted him two years before; but his
flight, while confirming his guilt at the time,
really saved him. for though the war scars
were still unhealed, and the storm of years
had not settled into calm, men were in a DO
sition to be Influenced by evidence rather
than prejudice.
was not surprised to find that twenty
nine years had wrought so great change in
John Fl. Surratt, that though his face was
strongly photographed in my memory when
last saw him in Elmira, that should not
have known him. He is still well preserved
man in middle life, with the ease of manner
and the courtesy that distinguished him as
young man Of twenty-four or five. He did
not remember me, nor did I expect it; his
mind was not in state at that time to retain
the recollection of casual acquaintance.
introduced myself, and explained why I
was curious to see him again; but instead of
avoiding the topic which I had doubts about
broaching, with a frank, open manner he
paved the way himself. But I felt still that
this pale, quiet man had much in reserve
which with sealed lips he will carry with him
to the grave. Indeed, still wonder that the
man is alive and SO active; one of weaker
stuff would have gone down long since under
the burden of anxiety and mental torture
which he bore 50 long and with such adj
mirable nerve.
"You want to know how I escaped from
Elmira," said Mr.. Surratt, in response to my
question. "Well, there is not much to tell.
All the facts came out on the trial, and are, I
think in the main, accurate
''Did you have much difficulty in getting
away?" asked.
Mr.. Surratt responded: ''Not so much
difficulty, perhaps, as anxiety. 1t was not
known at the time, is not known now, and so
I am very sure it never will be known, what q
great number Of people there were in the
North who either secretly or openly SYM
pathized with the Confederacy. Long before
my flight from Elmira had discovered this,
and knew pretty we'll where to find friends.
While acting as an agent for the Confederate
Government had no difficulty in travelling
through the North wherever and whenever I
pleased. The greatest drawback to my flight
was the want of means, and this in itself
should convince any one that was in no way
prepared for the tragedy enacted in Washing
ton on the very day was in Elmira.''
"Did you not have companion in your
flight from Elmira to Canada?" I asked.
eyes," was the response, "for part of the
distance. The man has not been identified,
and all I know about him is that he was
equally poor with myself. 1t matters not
where met him; but we reached st. Adams,
Vt, together, and walked to Franklin, on the
other side of the line. Once in Canada,
succeeded in getting funds-how, it is not
necessary to describe; but you may remem-
Der that the Confederacy had its agents in
that country, with plenty of money. 1t has
been charged against me that knew my
mother was in serious danger, and that by
returning to Washington might have saved
her. This most solemnly deny. Knowing
that she was entirely innocent of any connec-
ton with the so-called conspiracy, though
her sympathies were undeniably with the
Confederacy, I could not imagine that she
was in any danger. l did not then dream of
the intense bitterness and prejudice that was
manifested in her trial, and 1 felt sure that