Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-11
STORY OF SuRRA7 /.
Survivor Of Lincoln Conspiracy
is Living in Baltimore.
NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH
sropeht from Cniro. Tried, and Fin
ally Acquitted.

ally Acquitted.
sE WILL NOT TELL ALL HE KNOWS
while Frank and Direct In Giving
.I,e Facts of His Flight to Europe.
ri. Enlistment In PaDnI Army
His Arrest. Escape to Cairo, Re-
arrested. TrinI In America, and
1eouittal, He Does Not Say
Whether He Was Directly Con-
ncctcd With the Con.pfracy
which Ended In the Death of
President lincoln
Since the publication in the Dispatch of
.he narrative OF Samuel Bland Arnold
ooncering the Lincoln conspiracy. with
xhich he r-as identified. considerable IN
curry tas been made regarding The nifnr
rurvivor, in the famous plot-John II.
surratt As has been stated. Arnold is
passing the remaining years of his life
IN quiet. on an old homestead. located
near Friendship. Anne Arundel county.
Maryland. while Surratt is actively en-
gagged in the auditing department of
he OLD Bay Line in Baltimore. and lives
with his family at No. 1915 west Lombard
greet
These Two men are the only survivors
Ii the plot to kidnap the Chief Executive
IF the nation that eliminated in the
greatest and darkest tragedy man has
Known since imperial Caesar fell wounded
tnto Death at the foot OF the Statue Of
freat Ponpey.
Arnoid's story has been revealed. and
Is now matter of newspaper history.
surratts story Of the part he played in
the great conspiracy has yet to be un-
folded by him. and the Indications are
Thai these secrets will be carried by him
10 the grave. During past years many
Interviews have been credited to John
4 surrart descriptive OF his fight to
Europe after the assassination OF Lin
holm; his final capture. return to this
country. trial acquittal etc: but the
ruth Of the matter is that Surratt grant
ID none of these.
He has steadfa silly refused to talk for
,ewspa per publica tion. and ii was only
BY peculiar combination Of circun-
tances that the fc.low'ing narrative from
surrett was secured:
On the day that President Lincoln was
tssa ssinated by John Wilkes Booth in
Ford's Theatre in Washington. Surratt
was In Elnira n. Y, and 2 few hours
before the shooting Of the President he
had long conversation with an ac-
cuaintance who met him In that city.
This gentleman returned TO Baltimore
gone time ago for the express purpose OF
talking TO Surratt about his memorable
adventures, and thus speaks Of the inter-
view:
surratt,s Story.
81 met John H surratt casually at FL
mira n. z, on April Il, 1865 just few
hours before the ASA ssination Of Presi-
Dent Lincoln. Surratt was travelling
salesman. or passing for such; he GER
tsinIy had business with some Elmira
merchants and il was In q store that
was introduced to him. He was
slender veli-dressed young man. and. Il
he had any ieanngs to the South. or felt
any chagrin al the collapse Of the Con-
fedcracy he kept il TO himself. The fol-
loving day. Saturday. the 18th. the coun-
try was shocked by the cruel murder OF
President Lincoln. and it was known
throughout the land that Mrs Surratt
had heen arrested Is one OF the conspira-
tors and that q warrant was out for her
son John n
That the young man In Elmira had no
direct connection with the murder OF
Mr. Lincoln and the attempted murder
Of the members of his Cabinet was very
evident yet that he associated with the
constructors became q certainty when he
suddenly vanished, without leaving
trace behind him. SO that for two years
while glirnpses were had Of him here and
there, he remained undiscovered. Had he
been captured at that time ne would have
been hanged with his mother. or neither
would have been hanged The people
were 50 incensed at the time that 1t does
not seem possible that he would have
been cleared in 1865 when he came SO near
10 conviction in 1867 after time had ap-
peased the wrath Of the people and an
impartial trial was possible.
al Will be remembered by those who
recall Surratt's trial before Judge Fisher
In Washington he confessed that as soon
IS he had learned OF what had been done
II Washington by the conspirators, lie
fed 10 Canada, without a cent In his
pocket, SO that much of the journey had
10 be made on foot From Canada he made
his way TO Europe. and being q Catholic.
he succeeded in reaching Rome. where
he enlisted IN the corps known as the
Papal znuaves. and while in this service
Re was discovered by a United States ds-
Sectve and brought home for trial
Probably Spy.
AlAt The trial It was clearly shown that
surrstt II not feiiow-conspsrator. at
hast associated with Booth. Paine, and
others and during the war, he acted as
spy and q secret courier Of the Conted-
eracg. successfully carrying messages be-
tween Richmond and the South's Com
r0issioners IN Canada. and his mercan'
tile business was assumed as blind TO
t!ssI;ise his real purpose.
This offence like stealing among the
ancient Greeks. was entirely legitimate
SO long as It remained undecided Those
facts together with his flight. told strong
~ against Surratt on his trial II is very
certain TINT the evidence would have
convicted him two years before. while his
hight, confirming his guilt at the time.
really saved him. for though the war
Scars were still unhealed and the storms
q years had not settled into calm. n.er,
were IN the position to be more Influenced
ny evidence than prejudice.
When returned to Baltimore for the
expressed purpose of again talking with
snrTatt found him well preserved
man IN middle life. with the ease of man
ner and courtesy which distinguished
hin as man of q or Is. He did not
remember me. neither Aid ] expect him
70. / introduced myself and explained
Inv a lsS kSSS ex1S,. ~,