The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-07

President johnson Refused 10 stay
Execution.


Great interest has always conferred about
the case of Mrs. Mary E. Surratt, and
there are many firm believers in her inno-
cence Of any criminal knowledge concern
ing the assassination plot. In years after
the close of the war, when the bitterness
of that great strife had passed away. much
publicity given her case from time to
time, and many Of those who were con-
nected with the trial i'm official capacity
were made the centers of attack.
Mr.. John p. Brophy, who was at the time
of the trial instructor in St. Aloysius's
College in Washington, had an interesting
experience in endeavoring to aid Mrs Sur
raft. After her conviction for completely in
the murder, Welchman. who boarded In her
house and was the chief witness against
her, came to him and said that, in spite OF
all he had sworn to. he thoroughly believed
Mrs. Surratt was innocent of all knowledge
of the plot against the President until after
it's actual contamination. Mr.. Brophy
deemed Weichman's statement so impor-
tant that he reduced IL to writing and sent
it to President johnson as at least worthy
of investigation.
To his communication he got no reply,
but on the night before the execution he
received from the War Department per-
init to visit Mrs. Surratt in the arsenal,
where, with the three other condemned
prisoners she was confined Mr. Brophy
had not asked for any such permit and he
has always supposed that Mrs. Surratt
heard of his action in her behalf and her
self made the request that he be allowed to
see her.
MET MRS. SURRATT
Mr.. Brophy went TO the arsenal Mrs.
Surratt asked him to undertake at some
future time, when the passions OF the war
were cooled. the task of clearing her name
of the crime for which she then stood con-
demned and Of which she earnestly protest.
ed her innocence. This Mr.. Brophy prom
ised to do. After leaving her he went to
see Lewis Payne Powell. known throughout
the conspiracy as Lewis Payne. Powell.
who was the son Of Florida clergyman.
was. after Booth, the fiercest and most
bloodthirsty OF all the conspirators. He re-
tanned to the last the stoical cynicism which
he had shown from the first. In this mood
Mr.. Brophy found him a few hours before
he was hanged.
To his own impending fate ne told Mr..
Brophy he utterly Indifferent He had
played his part in the tragedy, and was
ready to take the consequences of an act
which he in no way regretted.
But when he spoke OF Mrs. Surratt all
trace of affectation disappeared. That
woman, he protested by all that he held
most sacred, was as innocent of the plot
against Mr.. Lincoln the child unborn.
Poweil's manner was so earnest and so con-
vincing that il made profound impression
upon Mr.. Brophy.
1t now about o'clock in the MORN
ing. The execution was 10 take place be-
tween IL a. m. and p. m. Mr. Brophy.
from Powell's cell. hurried straight TO
General Rartranft, afterward Governor Of
Pennsylvania, and then the provost mar
shall general in having full charge OF the
execution. He earnestly besought General
Hartranft to go TO Powell and hear what
he had to say. This General Hartranft did.
and came back impressed quite as Mr.. Bro
ply had been.
81 will furnish you army conveyance
and swift horses" he said Take IL and
drive like mad to the White House and
give the President this note. VIII delay
| the execution until the last moment. un-
til hear from you definitely and positively
what the Presidents answer IS"
PLAN FOR RETRIEVE
The note was strong plea for a reprieve
for Mrs. Surratt. With II in his pocket Mr..
Brophy drove in a gallop 10 the White
House. Here about the first person he saw
was Miss Anna Surratt. daughter OF the
condemned woman. who for hours had been
at the executive mansion trying 10 get ac-
cess to the President TO plead for her
| mothers life.
Two barred the way 20 all who
wished to get at President Johnson. These
were Preston King and Gen. James Lane.
President Johnson was suspected or having
a vacillating nature and those who believed
that justice had been done in the convic-
ton OF the conspirators did not want an
| appeal TO the weak side OF the Presidents
| character TO succeed.
Mr.. Brophy tried to get past the suardA