Mask For Treason

[RJNorton]

Rick Smith is traveling today and asked that this information be posted in this thread:

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This is from the statement of Luther B. Baker, being questioned by Mr. Pierrepont and Mr. Bradley, during the John Surratt trial:

By Mr. Pierrepont:
Q. You ascertain something that lead you to do what?
A. To go in search of the glass.
Q. Did you find it?
A. Mr. Garrett and myself found it about 9 miles from the Garrett’s place.
Q. Was it the same Mr. Garrett who was on the stand here?
A. Yes sir. It was secreted in a chamber, in a clothes chest. I took it and brought it to Washington. General Baker and I took it to the War Department, and there it was left.
Q. And this is the same glass?
A. This is the glass, as far as my judgment goes.

By Mr. Bradley:
Q. Is there any mark on that glass by which you identify it?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What is it?
A. This thumb screw and the label on it, I noticed as being peculiar.
Q. You never saw one before?
A. No, sir; I never saw one like it before.
Mr. Pierrepont. Just show that to the jury; I want to see it.
Mr. Bradley. Never mind. You will have to bring it near her to the party than that to make it evidence. There is nothing whatever to connect to these parties.

The Assistant DIst. Att’y. We think there is.

Mr. Pierrepont. In our view it as evidence enough to go to jury.
Mr. Bradley. The witness is now under my cross examination; when I am through you can take him.
Q. You never saw one before like it?
A. No, sir.
Q. Nor since?
A. No, sir.
Q. At who’s house did you find it?
A. I do not remember the name of the farmer, but about 9 miles from the Garrett place. I think they were relatives of the Garretts.

Read Baker’s description, And you can see that this is no opera glass he is describing. He is describing something unique, and opera glasses were common place.