Waterbury Democrat., 1903-02-18
sURRATTs FLIGHT.

Since the puDHcaLlOn 8TScCHLiy VI the narrative of Samuel Bland Arnold concerning the Lincoln conspiracy, with which he was identified, many 1n- quiries have been made regarding the only other survivor of the plotters, John H. Surratt.
 As has been stated, Arnold is passing the remaining years of his life in quiet at an old homestead near Friendship, Anne Arundel county, Maryland, while Surratt is actively at work in the atl- diting department of the Old Bay line of this city and lives with his family at 1916 West Lanyale street. These two men are the only survivors of those who were in the plot to kidnap Presi- dent Lincoln, which eliminated in his assassination.
 Arnold's story has been made pub lie. Surratt's story of the part he played in the great conspiracy has yet to be unfolded by him, and the indica- tions are that his secrets will be carried with him to the grave In past years many interviews have been credited to John H. Surratt. descriptive of his flight to Europe after the assassination Of Lincoln, his final capture, return to this country, trial, acquittal, etc, but the truth of the matter Is that Surratt granted none of these.
 \ He has steadily refused to talk for newspaper publication, and 1t was only by peculiar combination of .circum- stances that the following narrative from him was secured:
 On the day that President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's theater in Washington, Surratt was in Elmira N. F., and few hours after the shooting of the presi- dent he had a long conversation with an acquaintance who met him in that city. This friend returned to Ralti- more some time ago for the express purpose of talking to ,Surratt about his memorable adventures and thus speaks of the interview;
 T met John H. ,Surratt, casually, in Elmira, N, Y., on April 14, 1865, just a few hours before Lincoln was assassi- hated. Surratt was travelling sales man, or passing for such; he certainly had business with some Elmira mer- chants and 1t was in store that I was introduced to him.
 He was 9 slender well dressed young man, and, if he had any leanings 10 the south, or felt any chagrin over the collapse of the confederacy, he kept 1t to himself. The following day, Sat urday, April 15, the country was shocked by the cruel murder of Presi- dent Lincoln, and 1t was known throughout the land that Mrs Surratt had been arrested as one of the con- splrators, and that variant was out for her son, John H.
 That the young man in Elmira had no direct connection with the murder Of MT Lincoln and the attempted mur- Ger of the members of the cabinet was very evident, yet that he associated With the conspirators became cer- talnty when he suddenly vanished, without leaving trace behind him, so that for two years, while glimpses were had of him here and there he remained undiscovered.
 Had he been captured that time he would have been hanged with his mother, or neither would have been hanged. The people were so fncensed at the time that it does not seem possl- bIe that he would have been cleared i'll . ISoo, when he came so near conviction III 1867 after time had appcased the wrath of the people and all impartial trial was possible.
 1t will be remembered by those who recall Surratt's trial before Judge Fish CT in Washington that he confessed that as soon as he had learned of what had been done in Washington by the conspirators, he fled to Canada without q cent in his pocket, so that much of the tourney had to be made on foot. From Canada he made his way to Eu- rope and succeeded in reaching Rome, where, being a Catholic, he enlisted in the corps known as the PapaI zouaves, and while in this service was discov- cred by United States detective. ex- tradited and brought home for trial.
 At the trial it was clearly shown that Surratt, if not fellow conspira- for, at least associated with Booth. Paine and others, and during the war ne acted as spy and secret courier of the confederacy, successfully carrying messages between Richmond and the souths commissioners in Canada. and his mercantile business was assumed as blind to disguise his real purpose.
 This offense, like stealing among some of the ancient Creeks was en- t1reiy leGitimate so long as it remained undetected. These facts, together with his light told strongly against Surratt on his trial
 It is very certain that the evidence would have convicted him two years before. while his flight confirming his guilt at the time, really saved him, for, though the war scars were still unhealed, and the storms of years had not settled into calm, men were in the position to be more influenced by evidence than prejudice.
 5ssVEbaf1 1at11pnoI fn paItsr,ora F<,. the express purpose of again talking with Surratt found him a well pre- served man in middle life with the ease of manner and courtesy which distinguished him as man of twenty four or twenty-five. He did not re- member me, neither did expect him to.
 T introduced myself and explained why was curious to see him again. Instead of avoiding the topic which