Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-14


Under the head OF Preparations one
reads oft out Of the musty, crinkly page
of The Star this: Mrs. Surratt's daugh-
ter was with her at an early hour this
morning, and. after she had given direc-
lions as to her private affairs. she took
ieave of her; but once more before the
time of execution she had another and
very affecting farewell interview, which
melted the hearts Of the stern soldiers
used to scenes of anguish.
"One OF her male friends also had an
interview with her and received direc-
lions from her concerning the disposition
OF her property. During the night and
morning she received the ministrations
of Revs. ]. A. Walters and B. F. Wigett
and conversed freely with them, express
willingness to meet her God. Her coun-
sci, Messrs. Aiken and Clampitt, took
leave Of her during the morning"
The drop fell at %. The bodies were
allowed to hang for twenty minutes,
when Surgeon Otis, United States volun-
teers, and Assistant Surgeons Woodward
and Porter, L. 5. A.. examined them and
pronounced all dead. The bodies were
buried in the jail yard. near the scaffold.
The Star of that day reported that 1T is
understood that friends OF Mrs. Surratt,
Herold and Atzerodt made application
for the remains. but the authorities de-
clined for the present to grant the re-
quests"
X X
Out Of the old file the Rambler took
the following sketch of Mrs. Surratt:
Mrs. Mary e. Surratt was raised near
Waterloo on Calverts Manor in Prince
Georges county, Md. Her maiden name
was Jenkins. Her father died when she
was quite young. AS she grew up she
displayed considerable force of character.
and expressed desire to have a better
education than was obtainable In her
neighborhood. She was sent to a female
seminary In Alexandria,
Returning to her mothers home she
became an acknowledged belle in Prince
Georges county and quite as noted for
her strong will, she seldom failing in
Surratt about 1885, and the couple first
settled at a place now known as Con
din's Mill, near Camp Stoneman, Gies-
borough, which property Surratt inner
tied from an uncle named Neal. After
they had lived here a few years the house
was set on fire by their slaves and the
Surratts barely escaped from the fire
with their lives.
''Surratt afterwards engaged on the
Orange and Alexandria Railuead as a
contractor, and on finishing his work
returned to Prince Georges county and
bought a farm on which he established a
tavern known as "Surratts'' and after
wards was appointed postmaster at tina,
point, but being an uneducated man the
duties of the office devolved upon his
wife.
"They had three children daughter
and two sons. One of the latter, Isaac
went south at the outbreak of the re-
bellion, entering the Southern Army, it is
said. The other son. ohm, stayed about
home spending his time in idleness. The
q a n m a n
and a sympathizer with the south in the
rebellion to some extent, but was not
looked upon as an open secessionist He
died very suddenly about three years
ago and soon afterwards his widow
leased the property and came to this
city, where she opened clearinghouse
on II street
"Surratt's house and farm is situated
on the mail route from Washington to
Leonardtown. Md, and is twelve miles
ton o fthe Marlborough and Piscataway
roads. The house is comfortable two
story, double frame building, containing
nine rooms and on the front and one side
are porticOs for the visitors to enjoy
the fresh air during the sultry seasons.
The farm is we'll adapted for gardening
purposes and though not -ery extensive
is profitable for wheat and toabcco.
when Mrs. Surratt came to this city
to open a boarding house she rented
a rental of $500 per annum."
While the Washington papers were
filled with accounts of these terrible
events the life Of the city flowed on
much in the usual way. At Growers
Theater. on Pennsylvania avenue near
Wizards Hotel benefit, Friday. July
piv IN
and the advertisement reads: First
time in this city of a weird, mystic
legendary drama Of ancient German
lore. replete with beautiful imagery
by the softening influences of true love
and chivalric devotion. entitled, The
Angel OF Midnight
During the grand masquerade scene
in the second act the youthful and
brilliant Augusta will appear in a
ELL by Mr.. Miller Beale. After which
Mr.. J. c. McCollom will recite T. B
Reade's inspiring poem. Sheridan
Ride The performance Will conclude
with Robert Macaire."
At Odd Fellows Hall. Carncross &
Dixie's Minstrels were playing. and
these names appear in the advertise
ment: Lehr, Dixey. Simmons. Slocum
Palmer Ross. Holden. A. Beckett, vii
lars. Carncross. the Buffalo boys and
others
At oxford Music Hall and Theater
"9th street fronting on Pennsylvania
avenue" there was pantomime, new
grand ballet. new local hits, new gym
nastic acts" and Friday. July Z. there
was q grand benefit" to Barney Don
nelly and Fred Fritz.
At Canterbury Hall. on Louisians
avenue near 9Th street-"in the rear OF
the National and Metropolitan hotels
George Lea, proprietor: Josh Hart
stage manager there were billed the
Miaco Brothers. in pantomime: Miss
Fanny Thompson and Emma Marsh
.tha Fascinating dancers"; Mulligan
Emerson and Reddern. "in Ethiopian
acts": Hart, Clarke and Kane land q
fmiI corps dramatique In a fine drama.
and Miss Jennie johnson, Mary ano