THE TRIAL OF THE ASSASSINS: Proceedings Before the Commission on Friday; Further Testimony About the Escape from the Theatre (5/20/1865)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 5/20/1865

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Special Dispatch to the New-York Times.

WASHINGTON, Friday, May 19.

As the trial of the assassins progresses, the interest of the public in the proceedings increases, if possible. The court-room and adjoining apartments were densely crowded this afternoon. Not a foot of standing-room was unoccupied. A larger number of ladies were in attendance than on any previous occasion.

PAYNE's case was nearly or quite disposed of, and the testimony against him presented in more regular judicial form than has been practiced in offering the evidence as to the other prisoners. Excepting the immaterial and irrelevant questions put and answers drawn out by PAYNE's counsel, the testimony was unusually pertinent. For a time during the reading of this testimony the prisoner exhibited some marked evidences of sensibility, and much more intelligence than was generally expected of him. It was not long, however, before he relapsed into his usual stolid expression. Whilst the history of his entrance to the mansion, and attack upon Mr. SEWARD and the inmates of his household, was being recited by the several witnesses, much interest was manifested by the prisoner, though his countenance did not discover any strong emotion, but seemed to say, "Of course these facts are generally true, but I want to see] whether you tell the story correctly or not." The identity of the accused was complete by the testimony of Major SEWARD, ROBINSON, and the mulatto boy. Major SEWARD unhesitatingly pronounced PAYNE to be the man who made the attack upon his father and afterward upon himself. ROBINSON is satisfied of the identity, but would not like to swear that the prisoner was the man. The boy was positive that PAINE is the criminal. Such was the matter of identification whilst PAINE was yet sitting in his woolen shirt.

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TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: civilwar

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 25, 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4317850/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Trial of the Assassins: Proceedings Before the Commission on Friday – 2-7
Our Popular Loan: Nearly Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars Taken on Friday – 7
Davis’ Flight: Particulars of His Course After Lee’s Surrender – 8
Movements of Jeff. Davis: He is To be Sent North by Way of Savannah – 8
Surrender of the Rebel General Ben Hill with 700 Men-Fatal Altercation – 8
Convalescence of Secretary Seward – 8
From Washington – 8-9
The Hippotheatron Matinee Today – 9
Departure – 9
The Dublin Fair – 9
Evening Exchange – 9

[BrexitBen]

The New York Times discovered what sold its newspaper.

WAR !

More, more, more!

[fella]

If this were happening today these hearings would be months away while lawyers piled up massive amounts of “Billable Hour$”.