Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-04-03

dy Is John Harrison Surratt, a resi-
of this city. a trusted and honored
] In the Old Bay Line Of Chesapeake
iers, whose life story from the time
n away from school as a mere lad of
Id Joined the secret service bureau
. Confederacy. until the last day Of
,ngthy and highly sensational trial,
like a fairy tale and Is but another
&c OF the o~ft-proven adage that
b is stranger than fiction"
4 third of a century prominent writ
newspapers and magazines in every
OF the Union have realized that
John II. Surratt be induced to tell
~. freely. unreservedly and fully, it
rival In romantic interest and dra-
detail anything hitherto published
hing the landmarks of the war be-
the states. Countless efforts-over
island, In fact-have been made to
TO tell his story and make a state
II his true relations with Wilkes
Weichmann. DR.. Mudd and the
ctors who figured In that long train
ing events which eliminated in the
iation of Abraham Lincoln and the
IN OF his mother, but prior to the
iterviews granted me for The Sum-
irnal, in which he told me every
his life, he has returned but one
to all; the wound was toe deep
killing to ear open at this late
expose to the critical gaze Of an
lthetic public.
surratt As He Is.
Is now. however. that after a lapse
I'D of a century the bitterness Of
;ancor and hate engendered by four
lrs of internecine strife has passed
Id given place to a more fair and
Leling concerning his reputed con-
with an event which shocked the
Nd thrust a nation into mourning.
hat / owe IL to those who have
Way. as well as to myself. to make
sent concerning what / know of
h very different light before the
the country. Captain Surratt is
Srent from the ignorant and blood
t~outherner pictured by an angry
ring his trial. On the contrary.
bed. highly educated and polished.
hers are stately and dignified. He
tiiant talker and every word he
Tie is above the medium height,
s.nd slender, and his iron-gray hair
G1che n W piercing gray eyes
stn his head beneath heavy eye
De taiks In a low tom of voice.
nitates for n word and only twice
although dwelling for the first
Ter thirty years on matters which
NE stirred his feelings to their
cse was when he spoke of Wilkes
~ the other time was DUNG his
teaignment OF Weichmann. He is
oars old although he looks 20. He
10 lived fifty years from the time
hd the southern army until he
wted on bail after his two months
trthe substance of this interview
ls1erable historical Importance. in
tnhe first purely voluntary state
NY one who had aught to do with
Woth- j will give his statement
wsyord. as they left his mouth.
mserving historical sequence.
His Early Life.
lie war broke out / was a small
bG studying at st. Charles COL
lerroll county. Nd. and. like all
Sooys at that time. I was a red
hond dearly loved my native state.
Atege IL was strictly against the
ruscuss, ven in the most casual
mss OF the political questions then
eghe country, l remember one
wtstly faced Charles Carroll OF
Ca beautiful estate, Dourehegan
msn there issued from. the main
drbposite. a troop of Confederate
ca'their way TO join the army Of
Noirginia. The troop had been
re0d was led by young Charles
Galley were a magnificent set of
yot full of fire. dash and vim.
anted n splendid appearance. I
wath martial ardor at the sight.
ant my cap into the air cheered
ent again In fact 1 cheered my
sell When the troop had disap-