John Surratt

[RJNorton]

To me the most interesting aspect of the "John Surratt whereabouts" argument is that both opinions have solid supporting evidence. Was he in Elmira or Washington? I do not know. I think one of the better arguments he was in Washington is the fact that Atzerodt's July 6 statement seems to correspond with the testimony of Sergeant Joseph Dye. At the John Surratt trial Dye testified he saw Booth with two men in front of Ford's shortly before the assassination. Was Surratt one of these men? Dye said yes.

By Mr. Pierrepont:

Q. Did you see that man distinctly?
A. I did.

Q. Very distinctly?
A. I did very distinctly.

Q. Do you see him now?
A. I do.

Q. Can you tell us where he is?
A. I can.

Q. Tell us where he is.
A. He sits there, (pointing to the prisoner.)

Q. Is that the man?
A. It is. I have seen his face often since, while I have been sleeping —it was so exceedingly pale. He hurried up towards H street again, and that is the last I have seen of him until lately.

Q. You say he was the prisoner at the bar?
A. Yes, sir, and I say that I have seen him since, while I have been sleeping.

Q. Did it make a very strong impression from what occurred at the time?
A. It did, sir.

Q. What did Booth do then?
A. He walked directly into the theatre.


Was Dye mistaken? I do not know. I do know additional testimony was brought in at the trial which indicated that the group in front of the theater included neither Booth or Surratt.