The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-17
J. H. sURRArT,s FLIGHT.
How He Escaped After Lincoln's As
 sassinatson--Hin Motives.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS &10bAWSG. Baltimore Dispatch to New York Sun.
 On the day that Presi lent Lincoln was assAssinated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theatre, in Washington, John H. Surratt was In Elmlra, N. Y.. and few hours before the shooting of the Presi- dent he had long conversation with an acquaintance who met him in that city. This friend returned to Baltimore some time ago for the express purpose of talk ing to Surratt about his memorable ad- ventures, and thus speaks of the inter- view:
 T met John H. surratt casually in El- mira. N. r., on April IA, 1885, just few hours before Lincoln was assassinated. surratt was a travelling salesman, or passing for such; he certainly had buE- ness with some Elmira merchants, and 1t was fin a store that was introduced to him.
 "IIe was a slender, well-dressed young man. and if he had any leanings to the South or felt any chRgrin over the coi- lapse of the Confederacy, he kept 1t to himself The following day, Saturday, April IS. the country was shocked by the cruel murder of President Lincoln, and it was known throughout the land that Mrs. surratt had been arrested as one of the conspirators and that warrant was out for John H.
 That the young man In Elmira had no direct connection with the murder of Mr. Lincoln and the attempted murder of the members of the Cabinet was very evident, yet that he associated with the conspir- ators became a certainty when he sud- denly vanished, without leaving trace behind him, so that for two years, while Elimpses of him were had here and there, he remained undiscovered.
 Had he been captured at that time he would have been hanged with his mother. or neither would have been hang cd. The people were so incensed at the time that it does not seem possible that he would have been cleared fin 1885, when he came so near conviction in 1867, after time had appeased the wrath of the peo- pie and an impartial trial was possible.
 "It will be remembered by those who recall Surratfs trial before Judge Fisher 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 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 succeeded in reaching Rome where. being Catholic. he enlisted in the corps known as the Papal Zouaves. and while In this service was discovered by United states de- tective. extradited and brought home for trial
 ''At the trial 1t was clearly shown that Surratt, if not a fellow-consplrator, at least associated with Booth. Paine and others, and during the war he acted as c spy and a secret courier of the Confed- eracy, successfully carrying messages be- tween Richmond and the South's commits sioners in Canada, and his mercantile business was assumed as a blind to dis- guise his real purpose.
 This offense, like stealing among some of the ancient Greeks, was entirely legit- innate so long as 1t remained undetected. These facts, together with his flight, told strongly against Surratt on his trial.
 'It is very certain that the evidence would have convicted him two years be- fore, while his night, 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 a calm. men were in the position to be more influenced lby evidence than pre1udice.
 'rWhen returned to Baltimore for the express purpose of again talking with surratt found him a weli-preservsd man m middle life with the ease of manner and courtesy which distinguished him ae a man of A or 25. He did not remember me. neither did expect him to. ssT introduced myself and explained why I was .curlons to see him again. Inatead of avoiding the topic which had a doubt about preaching, with frank ana open manner he paved the way himself. But felt sure that this quiet, pale man had much in reserve which. with sealed lips. he will carry with him to the grave.
 .Indeed, I still wonder that the man is alive and SO active; one of weaker stun would have gone down long since under inc burden of anxiety and mental torture Nhleh he bore go long with admirable nareA