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Megan, Mike, Bill, and Mr. Wally
Megan, I have many pages within my website intended for students and schools, and if you have a page in your site devoted solely to “Ride With The Assassin” I will be happy to add a link to it from within my site. Mike, your book, "100 Essential Lincoln Books" continues to be an invaluable resource. Have you ever considered a second edition? Bill, I have a book titled "Abraham Lincoln in Print and Photograph: A Picture History from the Lilly Library." On p. 91 there is an old State Box lithograph entitled "The Martyr of Liberty." The lithograph has BOTH Mary Lincoln and Clara Harris sitting on the wrong side of Abraham Lincoln. Can you believe that! Finally, I received several e-mails from folks wanting to read the entirety of the interview with Mr. Wally. When I made that posting I specifically did not include the URL as it was not my purpose to publicly poke fun at the website for posting an interview filled with such extreme misinformation. Privately it's a different matter, though, and I will be glad to share the URL if anyone wants to contact me. Best wishes to the Snellers and all ALO posters for a wonderful Thanksgiving. Roger Norton ... 2009/11/20 - 11:24:14 ( # 1) |
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re: Megan's Novel Ride With the Assassin
Dear Mr. Sloan, I am glad you noticed my note about my novel Ride With the Assassin about the assassination and escape of John Wilkes Booth. Ride With the Assassin By Megan Hardgrave A novel about the Lincoln Assassination &12 day escape of John Wilkes Booth ! It is a historical fiction novel written especially for kids! It is about a teenager caught up with John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln’s assassin, so that they would find Lincoln’s story come alive! The plot revolves around Mark Harris, a 15-year old boy who happens to be behind Ford's Theater the night Lincoln is assassinated and is innocently drawn into the escape of John Wilkes Booth. For 12 exciting days he travels with Booth along his escape route. The historical character on which I base my premise is a chore boy, "Peanuts" John Burroughs who held the reins of Booth’s horse while he went inside Ford’s. I have added a several twists to the plot; one is my character Mark struggles with his visions (Extra Sensory Perception) that allow him to ‘see’ Lincoln’s assassination, Lincoln’s deathbed, and the convicted conspirators swinging from the gallows. Included with novel: Timeline, Escape Route Map, Crossword Puzzle Size 8½” x 11” bound 124 page book I have not yet sucessfully found a publisher/literary agent. However my company , Collectible Profiles,Inc. is now offering it for sale. If you are interested in a wholesale order further please contact me. Megan Hardgrave ... Carrollton - Texas... 2009/11/19 - 20:16:02 ( # 2) |
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Sloan and the Assassination Play
Mr. Sloan, I believe the Delaware Valley Civil War Roundtable would be very interested in your play. I am on the board. Please contact me at Mburkh@verizon.net Michael Burkhimer ... Audubon - PA... 2009/11/19 - 10:23:59 ( # 3) |
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Dirge
How nice to listen to "Dirge" as offered on YouTube by Mr. Trimborn. A wonderful diversion from assassination, assassination, assassination! Alan Gephardt ... Baltimore - Maryland ... 2009/11/19 - 10:10:56 ( # 4) |
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Lincoln Watch
Take a look at the real watch below. http://www.thehistoryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/lincolnsgoldwatch.jpg John E. Elliott ... San Antonio - TX... 2009/11/19 - 10:10:51 ( # 5) |
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Museum errors
Joe: Wow, that's amazing. I think we can forgive museums for having displays of errors-after all we are all only human. The problem is when the museum doesn't correct the errors-and apparently-doesn't seem to care. I did contact the Hodgenville Museum by email after my visit there-never got a reply. Has anyone been there since 2007 to notice if they corrected the seating of the Lincolns? William Nash ... Sterling Heights - Michigan... 2009/11/19 - 09:51:19 ( # 6) |
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Lincoln Watch Replica
The Stauer Watch Company has now a limited edtion replica of Abraham Lincoln's Pocket Watch, priced at $149.00. They also have a wrist watch version at $199.00. Check their website at www.stauer.com. Tom Lapsley ... Fairview - OR... 2009/11/18 - 23:42:16 ( # 7) |
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Lincoln Watch Replica
Stauer has available a replica of Lincoln's pocket watch, priced at $149.00. Also a wristwatch version at $199.00. For more information, check their website at www.stauer.com. Tom Lapsley ... Fairview - OR... 2009/11/17 - 23:34:50 ( # 8) |
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museum errors
William Nash, For as long as I could remember, the (then) Chicago Historical Society diplayed the Lincoln death bed in a mirror image of the room at the Petersen House. At the tender age of 11 I wrote to Paul Angle to point this out and never received a reply. Not content at all with being ignored I also contacted his successor, Mr. Silvestri--again being ignored. I pointed out this error to docents, guards, and others--to no avail. File this with the "Lincoln seated to the right of Mary" in the Hodgenville diorama. It is a shame that prime Lincoln sites can't take suggestions so visitrs can "learn." Joe Di Cola ... Queen Creek - AZ... 2009/11/18 - 18:59:23 ( # 9) |
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Roger's Post
Roger, I haven't had a laugh like that in a long time. Thank you for posting that! Upon further reflection, it is sad to think that some people would accept such a report as factual. No wonder there's so much misinformation out there. Sometimes the misinformation can come from some really credible sources. I think I might have mentioned before visiting the Lincoln museum in Hodgenville a couple years ago. The museum has a series of displays depicting scenes from the life of Lincoln. The Ford's Theater scene has Lincoln sitting on the wrong side of Mary Lincoln. I pointed this out to the museum staff and she said she would bring my concern to the attention of the curator. I don't know if it was ever changed. I visited there in 2007. Small detail? Perhaps. But shouldn't a museum have done better than that? William Nash ... Sterling Heights - Michigan... 2009/11/18 - 14:58:57 ( # 10) |
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OMG
Thanks for posting this Roger - it shows the tremendous amount of disinformation I have had to deal with at Surratt House over the years. These reminiscences are death and destruction on good historical research, as any of us "Lincoln assassination nuts" can attest. Laurie Verge ... Surrattsville - MD... 2009/11/18 - 11:53:03 ( # 11) |
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Mr. Wally
Thanks for your post, Roger. I needed a good laugh. I'm just wondering why the conspirators were shot and not fed to the man-eating Alligators that resided in the moat surrounding the Arsenal. John E. Elliott ... San Antonio - TX... 2009/11/18 - 10:52:43 ( # 12) |
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Mary Surratt holding Booth's horse
Roger, What a hoot! Thanks for putting a big smile on my face. It is incredible how much stuff is out there that is manufactured with or without the aid of strong pharmaceuticals! About two decades ago, one of the grocery check-out lane tabloids posted a front-page photo purporting to be Lincoln's corpse come back to life, using an old photo of an Egyptian mummy. I wish I still had my copy so I could share it with you. Joe Di Cola ... Queen Creek - AZ... 2009/11/18 - 10:37:01 ( # 13) |
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Mary Surratt Held Booth's Horse At Ford's Theatre?
Back in October Bill Nash posted that the Topps Heritage Card Series "Political Heroes" Card #18 said Abraham Lincoln died on April 14, 1865. Like Bill, I have come across some interesting information. This information comes from a county genealogy and history website which is for the use of researchers. The site contains an interview with a John Wally who claims he was one of the guards at the Old Washington Arsenal. Near the beginning of the article the reader is assured, "Mr. Wally, despite his 77 years, is in full possession of all his faculties, and is as active and full of business as many men 20 years younger." The whole article includes photos of John Wilkes Booth and his wife ("published for the first time"). I'll post a portion of the interview with Mr. Wally: ------------------------------------ DISPOSAL OF BOOTH'S BODY One of the blood points in the history of those days has been as to what became of the body of John Wilkes Booth, the hate-brained fanatical actor, whose murderous bullet ended Lincoln's benevolent life. Booth was shot to death in a barn about 10 miles from Washington where he had hidden after escaping from the theatre, and where he was followed and surrounded. He had taken a boy into the barn with him, but the boy came out and surrendered and was taken to Washington. The body of Booth was brought back to the city and was placed by the cellar of the Capital prison, mentioned above, pending an autopsy. The autopsy was delayed until the condition of the body took such a proceeding out of the question, and then a man was hired for $10 to take it out and sink it in the Potomac river. Mrs. Surratt, who had held the horse outside the theatre for Booth while he was shooting Lincoln, who helped him mount and escape, and at whose house the conspiracy was hatched, was arrested and placed in the Capital prison, with the boy above mentioned, and the conspirators who made the futile attempt to slay Secretary Seward at the same time Lincoln was shot. These three persons, Mr. Wally, with a detail of 30 men, was responsible for on every alternate day from the time of their arrest until they were led out to be shot. The detail was divided into squads which served four hours at stretch, and then took two hours off, until they had been on duty 24 hours, when they were given 24 hours off, and another detail took charge. These two details were on guard inside the prison, while outside, the building was surrounded by a double row of soldiers and the roof also had its quota of guards. A general officer was in charge of the prison. The other prisoners were in the third or top row of the triple tier of cells, and being under constant surveillance, and the soldiers having orders to keep silence, they must have had rather a trying time of it. The Frenchman, as Mr. Wally described the Seward assassin, was hampered with ball and chain on both wrists and ankles and Mr. Wally had to cut up his food for him when he ate. One day General Grant came to the prison and asked for admission, but the orders being strict, Mr. Wally refused him, and was later commended. Mr. Wally was in and out of the court room during the trial of the conspirators, being responsible for their safe arrival there and their safe return to their cells. On one occasion Mrs. Surratt tried to jump over the railing near her cell, while on the way to the court room, but was prevented by the guard. The height was considerable, and might have resulted in her death, which was doubtless what she thought. When the Frenchman was taken to court, two extra guards were required to carry the two heavy iron balls to which he was chained. The court room was in the prison building. When the Judge sentenced Mrs. Surratt, Mr. Wally was in the room, and he remembers that the woman asked, "What for?" when the Judge told her she must die. It was shown at the trial that she had harbored Booth for several months while the conspirators were hatching their plot. After receiving her sentence Mrs. Surratt was taken back to her cell. The chaplain visited her there, and Mr. Wally went into the cell with him. Mrs. Surratt lay on the cot with a black cloak over her, and apparently paid no attention to the words of the minister. Mr. Wally was not permitted to see the execution of the conspirators. Source: "The Binghamton Press," Binghamton, NY on Saturday, April 10, 1909, Third Section, 5. ---------------------------------- I am sure Laurie knows all of this but does Robert Redford? Is Robin Wright good with horses? Roger Norton ... 2009/11/18 - 08:28:05 ( # 14) |
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Civil War Jewelry
Recently I was out looking for Civil War Photographs and I saw a Picture of a Civil War Woman wearing a pin.It was a sword with a Heart hanging from it.Any Ideas? Herb Swingle ... Fairport - N Y... 2009/11/17 - 13:39:04 ( # 15) |
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Louis Weichmann
Roger Norton wrote here that he is very interested in Louis Weichmann. I did a lot of research on him and came up with his 1901 correspondence with Osborn Oldroyd. I took their words, plus many of their published writings, and wove them into a play in which they meet in the House Where Lincoln Died. (They actually did meet there!) I have Oldroyd give Weichmann a tour of his museum and show him some of his photos and correspondence. They sit in two of the rooms and discuss the assassination story -- especially Mrs. Surratt's case. My Weichmann gets a little defensive and I try to show what I believe was his persona. Fellow Surratt Society member John Howard and I presented the play at the last Surratt Society Conference. (We have to read our parts, but we actually have stage movements, props, replicas of artifacts, and a few Lincoln pictures as scenery. And -- we act. (At least we try to!) We got pretty good reviews -- unless folks were lying so our feelings wouoldn't be hurt! (Dr. Edward Steers told people that he loved it.) If anyone is interested in seeing it, and is willing to pay us a fair honorarium and neccesary expenses, we are ready! We had a ball presenting it. Write to me at emma1231@optonline.net. Richard Sloan ... Massapequa - NY... 2009/11/14 - 22:09:15 ( # 16) |
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Megan Hardgrave's book
Megan Hardgrave recently posted that she was diong research in 1996 for her book, "Ride With the Assassin." I can't find this on abebooks.com. Did Megan ever find a publisher? Can she tell us more about the book? Is it a fictionalized acct. of the escape, or non-fiction? What's her angle? Richard Sloan ... Masapequa - NY... 2009/11/14 - 21:50:46 ( # 17) |
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ocker and seeing Reford's hanging scene
To John Elliott and Barry Cauchon: --Please give me/us a report all about what you witnessed in Savannah! How faithful was the scaffold and the surroundings? Did they tie Mrs. Surratt's dress? Use umbrellas? Have any drumrolls, soldiers lining the top of a wall? Show the empty graves nearby? Duplicate the conspirators sitting under umbrellas? Atzerodt saying "Goodbye, fellows; see ya..." etc; A weakened Mrs. Surratt getting last rites? Davy whimpering? Paine being steadfast til the end? etc; etc; We wanna know! LINCOLN's ROCKER -- Buyer beware! This replica rocker is beautiful, and the fabric shown, while not the same red damask pattern, is a fine substitute. H-o-w-e-v-e-r, the upholstered armrests are all wrong! Before you order this, you should compare it carefully with old b&w photos of the original and you'll see what I mean. Don't order without making this comparison. In short, the upholstery on the armrests should extend 18" from the end of the armrests (where they meet the frame of the backrest)to a spot near the front where the wood starts a little sweep and then, about 4" further, ends in a noticeable notch before it starts curling downward. ASK THEM IF THEY CAN DO IT THE RIGHT WAY BEFORE YOU GIVE THEM YOUR ORDER. GET IT IN WRITING! If they won't do that for you, and you think you can buy it the way they sell it and simply have an upholsterer re-do it, you'd better notice that the upholstery extends down the sides of the armrests, where they are nailed down with edging ribbon. These nailholes will show when you pull off the fabric and edging ribbon and re-do the upholstery. Maybe you can ask them to refrain from nailing on the fabric so that they don't make the holes. But make sure that the top edges of the armrests are flat, and that the wood isn't chiseled out for any reason before they upholster them. (And if they agree to all of this, make sure they provide you with all the fabric you'll need to have the armrests upholstered in the historically accurate fashion. Richard Sloan ... Massapequa - NY... 2009/11/14 - 21:45:44 ( # 18) |
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Aiken
Herb, how cool is that? This search for Frederick has been such fun for me! I have learned so much, and one of the most important things I've learned (which I guess I already knew, but needed to be reminded of) is that history is not a dead, boring subject. These men and women actually lived, loved, and laughed. History is alive, and constantly changes as we discover more information, often in obscure places, and put missing pieces of the puzzle together. We often find that our initial assumptions (that Aiken was an inexperienced, naive young man who was just simply inept or way in over his head and didn't know or understand the political and/or legal workings of the highest levels of the government) change or are modified. I still can't comment on how adept he was at defending Mary, but he was by no means an insignificant man in 1860 - 1865 Washington, DC. Thanks so much for all the help you and Laurie have given in this search and thanks to both of you for your kind comments about me. I have also learned that the Civil War years were tumultuous, not just in the prosecution of the war, but in the choices individuals were forced into making. Choices between country and personal belief. Choices between political expediency and personal integrity. Choices between lifelong friends and political allies and moral conscience. How excruciating those decisions must have been - not so different from choices we must make today. The sands of history shifted then as they do now, and the best course for any of us who really want to understand and learn about and from it, is to keep an open mind - to not jump to conclusions, to not paint pictures with a wide brush, but to look for the nuances, the details, the 'truth' as we can only interpret it. And to remember that what we believe today may need to change tomorrow as new research surfaces. Thanks for the discussions! Christine Christensen ... Tremonton - UT... 2009/11/14 - 14:26:37 ( # 19) |
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You Never Know !
I have to share this little bit of luck I had in tracking down--Aiken.I figured that I would go for a "shot in the dark".Why not try a Southern Military School.So I tried The Citadel.The Archives Librarian E-mailed me with the Question of,"Why are you looking for info on Aiken"?I explained the Enigma of the man.Bingo within hours she sends me the info and 5 attachments,Because the Actor in the movie playing Aiken is her favorite Actor!Go Figure! Herb Swingle ... Fairport - NY... 2009/11/14 - 08:41:47 ( # 20) |
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Aiken Research
I have to say that I dropped out of the Hunt for Aiken Info weeks ago because I just could not fit it into my work schedule. However, Christine and Herb kept up the search and have really helped fill in blanks on a gentleman that moved with the big-wigs in politics of his day - many with leanings towards the South. Thank you to you both, especially on behalf of the James O. Hall Research Center at Surratt House Museum. Laurie Verge ... Clinton - MD... 2009/11/13 - 19:36:32 ( # 21) |
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Frederick Aiken
Well,after 4 months of tracking down Aiken the search for the truth is from,Rice,Iowa,Georgetown,The Citadel,and Cornell Universities.Yes he contacted Jefferson Davis before and after the War.He was an avid Democrat and worked very hard to unseat Lincoln.His knowledge of law came from working with his Father in Law.But.Yes he was a Capt.with General Hancock and Smith during the entire Civil War.Phew.I am sure I probably left out some facts,But "Thats the way it is folks". Herbert Swingle ... Fairport - N Y... 2009/11/13 - 15:31:44 ( # 22) |
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Bottles in Coffins
Kate Larson, author of Assassin's Accomplice, jogged my memory and cited an article related to the reburial of Mary Surratt in 1869, which mentions the vial (bottle) with parchment containing Mrs. Surratt's name still being in the burial case when taken to Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Once at the cemetery, the remains were transferred to a "handsome walnut coffin." The description of the remains is quite thorough and it is specified that everything was transferred to the new coffin. I guess that means that at least one bottle is intact in Section F at Mt. Olivet. I had read that 1869 article 5-6 times in the past, but the reference to the bottle flew right through my head. Thank you, Kate, for grabbing it and stuffing it back between my ears. Laurie Verge ... Clinton - MD... 2009/11/13 - 13:02:43 ( # 23) |
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coffin vials
According to eyewitness testimony at the disinternment of Mary Surratt's body in February 1869, it is implied that the vial containing the parchment with her name on it remained with her body. The Washington Chronicle reported that when her coffin was dug up (the second time - all the coffins had already been moved once) her "remains were found to be in excellent condition. The face, though black, was yet perfect in features, and the whole body compact and firm. The dress looked well, and the gaiter shoes appeared to be not the least soiled. Upon the day of her execution her daughter, Anne, who visited her, took from her own bonnet a steel arrow and stuck it upon her mother's dress close up to the neck, and which remained where it had been placed by the daughter. The bottle, with the name of Mrs. Surratt written upon a piece of parchment within, was also in the coffin, and without shifting anything the coffin was placed in the undertaker's wagon and driven .... to Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Father Walter, who had preceded the remains, was there in waiting to receive them, and they were taken from the coffin in which they were and transferred into a handsome walnut coffin, and then placed in the vault until today..." It seems to me that if the bottle had been removed - in fact, if anything had been removed - the reporter would have noted it. Another newspaper article, from the Baltimore Sun, mentioned that the "rough pine boards" of the coffin had "a strip of wood, painted white, with the name "Mrs. Surratt" painted upon it in black letters." Hope this helps. Kate Larson ... Winchester - MA... 2009/11/13 - 12:18:13 ( # 24) |
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Bottles in Coffins
I was asked the exact same question by a researcher for the Redford film, The Conspirator. My response was that I knew of no documentation as to what happened to the bottles, but that my hunch was that they remained in the burial cases until 1869, when all bodies were turned over for proper burial. I further suspect that those bottles or something similar were buried in the new coffins in 1869. I learned many years ago that the little glass vials with the deceased's pertinent information did not become part of a coffin/casket's construction until after the Johnstown Flood. But I bet that our earlier ancestors wanted the remains to be easily identified in the future. The Flood taught them that coffins pop open and bottles fall out. Secret caches in the side of coffins are more secure. There's your funeral lesson for the day -- according to one of the oldest funeral homes in Washington, DC and the Johnston Flood Museum. Laurie Verge ... Clinton - MD... 2009/11/12 - 16:37:53 ( # 25) |
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"Twenty Days"
I've enjoyed the work the Kunhardts have done over the years. "Looking for Lincoln", for me, has been a revelation in that it collects some great photos in one place. "Twenty Days" still holds a very special place in my heart as it is one of the very first Lincoln books I ever really studied. Several years after I first became enamored by it I was a volunteer at the Lincoln Tomb and that was the first book they handed me to study there as well. It remains a remarkable work. I have just finished Professor Burlingame's massive biography. If you the means I strongly recommend you pick up a copy, it's worth every dime. John Winterbauer ... Petersburg - IL... 2009/11/12 - 12:45:18 ( # 26) |
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The Bottles in the Coffins
Hi all: A researcher has asked John and I a very good question. Does anyone know the whereabouts of the bottles containing the names of the conspirators when buried with them in the Old Arsenal Penitentiary yard after the hangings? We were wondering if they disappeared when they were reburied in 1867 or given to the families when turned over to them in 1869. Any thoughts? Thanks Barry Barry Cauchon ... Toronto - Canada... 2009/11/12 - 10:57:45 ( # 27) |
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Lincoln, Life Size
As somebody who does Lincoln art and creative work the concept of the book Lincoln, Life Size intrigues me. I flipped through it a bit at the Lincoln Home NHS bookstore and thought it was a fairly decent picture book. The author is going to be here in Springfield on November 19th (the day Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address) so I'll learn more there. I personally enjoyed the Kunhardts' book Lincoln: An Illustrated Biography, it was one of the books that got me hooked on Lincoln. I know as far as text goes, it's pretty basic, but it's still a very good book to look at. I have the book Twenty Days, but I haven't really tackled the assassination yet. Looking for Lincoln didn't do as much for me, though. I don't have it, but I looked through it at downtown Springfield shops when it came out, and decided it wasn't worth it at that time. I'm still deciding whether to get Lincoln, Life Size or not. I'm looking forward to the author being here next week. Chris lincolnapparel.com Chris Umhoefer ... Springfield - Illinois... 2009/11/11 - 21:44:29 ( # 28) |
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The Conspirator Visit
Hi all: John Elliott and I have been invited down to the set of The Conspirator. We've formally asked for access to check out the sets and speak with people on the production. So far we have been given the task of being extras for the shoot but I'm sure we'll have opportunities beyond this. What fun this will be. In September John and I have joined our research about the Old Arsenal Penitentiary and what went on inside its walls. So we had to make a tough decision to make about whether to go together or split up so we could cover more than one filming sequence. Reluctantly we decided to split up so that we can see both the execution sequence and the courtroom sequence. I will be visiting John in San Antonio this weekend and then heading to Savannah next week for the hanging sequence. John will follow two weeks later when the courtroom sequences are being shot. We will let you know how things go upon our respective returns. Have a great day. Barry Barry Cauchon ... Toronto - Ontario... 2009/11/11 - 07:45:52 ( # 29) |
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Music at Gettysburg
On Wednesday evening October 7 at 7:00 pm, I presented a Faculty Forum lecture entitled Encounters With Lincoln Through the Arts in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall on the campus of Truman State University. The program focused on the writing of historians and the work of artists – poets, photographers, sculptors, painters, and musicians. I was assisted by members of the Truman State University Brass Choir and Cantoria performing vocal and instrumental music just as Lincoln actually heard it. Selected artwork that appears in my book Encounters With Lincoln: Images and Words, published by the Truman Press, was also shown and discussed. With the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address approaching later this month I decided to post a performance of “Dirge” by Alfred Delaney on YouTube. This piece was originally performed by a volunteer choir from all the churches of Gettysburg accompanied by Birgfeld’s Band of Philadelphia just prior to the President’s address. To my knowledge this work has not been recorded or seldom heard since that day. This is as close to the actual sound of the music as it was performed on that long ago day, November 19, 1863. The brass instruments in this performance date from the period and the vocal group sang from copies of the original sheet music from my collection. The conductor is my colleague Dr. Mark Jennings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kibu-DjZWgs Thomas J. Trimborn ... Kirksville - Missouri... 2009/11/10 - 22:20:42 ( # 30) |
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Lincoln, Life Size
I agree with all of the responses I received to my comment about "Lincoln, Life Size." To me "Twenty Days" was THE magnum opus from the Kunhardts, followed by the volume that was co-authored by Geoffrey Ward. Looking for Lincoln, while an interesting approach to the Lincoln legacy over the years since his death, did nt make the contribution I had hoped for during the bicentannial. The Mellon volume, "The Face of Lincoln" is still a standard hard to beat. I agree that the grainy character of some of the pictures simply shows what a magnifying glass might reveal and, therefore, I am not sure about the contribution this makes to the Lncoln literature. Harkening back to the seminal work of their ancestor, Frederick Hill Meserve, it was there that I first became fascinated with the face of Lincoln. "Lincoln, Life Size" does nothing for me in the same way as Meserve's, Lorant's, or Mellon's works. Thanks to all of you for your comments. Joe Di Cola ... Queen Creek - AZ... 2009/11/10 - 20:17:16 ( # 31) |
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Rocker
Megan, Thanks for the information, and I would definitely like more details about the rocking chair for our files at the Surratt House Museum. Every little tidbit helps. My e-mail at work is laurie.verge@pgparks.com; mailing address for Surratt House is PO Box 427, Clinton, MD 20735, or fax is 301-868-8177 -- whatever is the best for you. Thanks so much. Laurie Verge ... Clinton - MD... 2009/11/08 - 18:56:30 ( # 32) |
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re:Lincoln rocker
Dear Laurie, Just read you post about the Fords Theater rocking chair and you wanting to know if the Fords Museum in Dearborn ,MI ever has done complete history, I don't don't if they have done on but , when I was doing research on the Assassination for my novel Ride With the Assasin in 1996 I contacted them and they found in there records a detailed drawing of the rocker and it gave instuctions on how to built one replica , as well they sent me a detailed photos of the front and back of the rocker that shows an an paisley or indian pattern into the red velvet covered chair complete with the Lincoln Shaw,orignal playbill from our American cousin. If you want more info on this let me know. Sincerely, Megan Hardgrave Megan Hardgrave ... Dallas - Texas... 2009/11/08 - 17:58:25 ( # 33) |
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Twenty Days
Twenty Days was the book that got me hooked on the whole Lincoln assassination thing when it first came out. I was all of 12 years old!! And the book is still a masterpiece IMO!! Paul W H ... EH - CT... 2009/11/08 - 15:10:08 ( # 34) |
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"Twenty Days"
Joe, just my own personal bias, but nothing the Kunhardts will ever produce can match the spot in my heart for "Twenty Days." Roger Norton ... 2009/11/08 - 08:30:35 ( # 35) |
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Lincoln Book
I flipped through the book at a local Sam's and was underwhelmed. My first thought was 'Why was this book made ?'. The quality of the enlarged photos is horrible. Why bother doing it ? If they had cleaned them up and magnified the photos to better quality then they might have had something to offer. Just my opinion. John E. ... San Antonio - TX... 2009/11/07 - 23:26:45 ( # 36) |
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Lincoln, Life-Size
Just finished the Kunhardt's new magnum opus "Lincoln, Life-Size." It's different. I was wondering if anyone else has had a chance to see this book. If so, what did you think about it, especially in light of the previous work of the Kunhardt's on Lincoln? Roger? Laurie? Anyone? Joe Di Cola ... Queen Creek - AZ... 2009/11/07 - 20:40:31 ( # 37) |
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Spielberg Film
The Chicago Tribune last week had this story about the screenwriter of the upcoming Lincoln flick, due for release in '11. http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-1101-arts-kushner-covernov01,0,7362215.story Dave K. ... North Aurora - IL... 2009/11/07 - 19:21:10 ( # 38) |
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Lincoln Rocker
I remember seeing this in the gift shop back when the Lincoln Presidential Library/Museum was newly-opened. It was nicely made. Dave K. ... North Aurora - IL... 2009/11/07 - 19:10:29 ( # 39) |
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Rocker
I think the company that produces these tries to give the impression that this was the type of rocker he used and preferred as President in the White House. Their advertising says portraits depict him using this type of chair. It's actually a pretty good knock off of the original, but a little pricey just to be able to point out to your friends you have one. Jre Jerry Eagon ... Elkhart - IN... 2009/11/06 - 10:40:56 ( # 40) |
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Thanks
Jerry, Thanks for catching my typo in the URL for the Lincoln rocker. Without that "t" in the name of the company, I could have had people thinking they were looking for Christmas trees! I did have a question raised about the style of rocker. Did Lincoln enjoy this type of chair in the White House? I don't believe they were specified as "Lincoln" rockers until after the assassination, but does anyone know if he relaxed in one at home? Laurie Verge ... Clinton - MD... 2009/11/06 - 08:16:18 ( # 41) |
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Lincoln Chair
http://www.newyorkfirst.com/gifts/5107.html Laurie; I hesitate to correct ANYTHING you write, but the web address for the chair is above. Appears the "t" was left out of "first". Jerry Jerry Eagon ... Elkhart - IN... 2009/11/05 - 12:39:26 ( # 42) |
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Lincoln rocker
Thanks for the tip Laurie, but I'll stick with my super-comfortable Lazy Boy rocker and spend that cash on a new HD tv!!! PWH ... EH - CT... 2009/11/04 - 17:43:13 ( # 43) |
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Lincoln Rocker
PWH, Have I got a deal for you! Go to http://www.newyorkfirs.com/gifts/5107.html. This company has reproduced the Lincoln Rocker and has it on sale right now. Originally priced at $795, it is now being offered for $595. Give yourself a Christmas present. Laurie Verge ... Clinton - MD... 2009/11/04 - 16:26:34 ( # 44) |
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Lincoln Rocker
I also remember that a few years ago some company was selling reproductions of the chair Lincoln was sitting in at Ford's Theater. I forget what the price was, but I actually considered buying one.....for about a minute!! PWH ... East Haven - CT... 2009/11/04 - 06:02:50 ( # 45) |
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Ogarita
Mr. Colfax, We would very much appreciate anything concerning Booth's "other family" for our files at the Surratt House Museum. We have had the wonderful support of several members of this family over the years. In fact, one lady is the widow of a famous producer and has just recently sent many of her papers to our James O. Hall Research Center. Mr. Hall worked closely with them over the years. On a personal aside: While I do not subscribe to Martha's and Ogarita's claims about marriage to Booth and his escape, I am open to the suggestion that Ogarita was the product of an "indiscretion." Laurie Verge ... Clinton - MD... 2009/11/03 - 17:35:51 ( # 46) |
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Louis J. Weichmann
Christine, I have been reading about Louis Weichmann for over 40 years, and I still don't have a really good "handle" on him. What sort of character he was all depends on what book you read. That aside, Weichmann's book includes evidence against Mary Surratt that is not commonly known. For example, when Weichmann was taking her to Surrattsville on the day of the assassination, the two were traveling along the same road Booth would use later that night to escape from Washington. Weichmann and Mary were in the buggy when they saw some soldiers along the roadside. Mary stopped the buggy and asked an old farmer why the soldiers were there. She was told that they were pickets. Mary then asked if they remained on guard all night. The farmer said that they were usually called in at about 8 in the evening. Mary replied, "I am glad to know that." Weichmann and Mary then continued on. (Story from page 166 of Weichmann's book and included on p. 84 of Kate Larson's book). Assuming Weichmann was telling the truth about this story, it would appear to me that Mary may well have known Booth was going to act that night and that she wanted to make sure the road would be clear after 10:30 P.M. when Booth would be riding hard to her tavern at Surrattsville to pick up the carbines and field glasses stored there. This would explain her "I am glad to know that" statement when hearing the pickets would be long gone before Booth rode by. Some books imply Mary probably knew about the plot to kidnap the president but may not have known about the plan to assassinate him. The above story, if true, implies she may have known about the plot to assassinate. In his book, Weichmann says, "I, at first, thought that Mrs. Surratt's action in reference to the pickets had been prompted by mere curiosity, but I am satisfied now that there was a deeper significance behind it, and that her question to the old man was dictated by the desire to know if the road would be clear that night for Booth and Herold." Of course Weichmann's character has been questioned by many, and the reader simply has to decide for himself or herself if Weichmann created this story or (if he didn't create the story) whether Mary was just curious on why the soldiers were there and when they would be leaving. Roger Norton ... 2009/11/03 - 13:34:37 ( # 47) |
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Ogarita Booth Henderson
IN regards to posting a link to my story about Ogarita Booth Henderson a few days ago: I was very happy to see the comments especially from a historian like Laurie Verge. It has spurred me on to find some new items. To that end please bear with me as I add the link again, and point out that the new items are whispered below the story in the comments section, as will be any subsequent new information. http://www.terrastories.com/bearings/ogarita-booth-henderson-binghamton I did see the comments this brought out about the family identification of John Wilkes Booth, and so I point out that the link now supplies in the comments section a newly found article. Previously "Rita" had claimed that her Mother had "Id'd" Booth (in the shown 1885 NY TIMES article) but by 1890 she was claiming that she herself saw the body "numerous times." This change in the story occurs after her Mother's death. And personally to Laurie Verge, I see the addy of your Surratt Museum easily online, would you have any use for a photo print of Rita's grave, or a rubbing? I would be happy to send them. jt colfax ... binghamton - new york... 2009/11/03 - 11:40:05 ( # 48) |
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Lincoln Rocker
Tim, Assuming that you mean the rocking chair that Lincoln was sitting in when shot, I am going to say that that is the first time that I have seen that question asked in my thirty-five years of working at Surratt House. The Snellings and Roger Norton may have had it asked before, and I would love to hear the correct answer. That chair was brought from Harry Ford's bedroom to serve the Presidential party that night. In order to answer your question, we would have to know from whom the Fords bought the chair and then search that company's records to find the manufacturer. Has anyone done that? The Henry Ford Museum owns the original. I wonder if they have ever tracked down its history. Laurie Verge ... Clinton - MD... 2009/11/03 - 11:03:07 ( # 49) |
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Harvey-Marr
The Harvey-Marr funeral establishment in Washington did take charge of Booth's body upon its release from the Penitentiary grounds. Ironically, the remains were taken to their building adjacent to Ford's Theatre in preparation for transport to Baltimore. The Weaver establishment took over from there, and it was in their Baltimore offices that the identification by family members, John T. Ford, and others took place before reburial in Green Mount Cemetery. Laurie Verge ... Clinton - MD... 2009/11/03 - 10:52:00 ( # 50) |
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Lincoln chair
I'd like to know, who built the original chair? Tim MIchols ... Campbellsport - WI... 2009/11/03 - 10:16:15 ( # 51) |
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Mary Surratt
Christine,I am going to take a shot at your great question!Yes I feel she was guilty on the conspiracy side of the of your question.Yes, I feel that she should have been hanged!I also now feel after chasing down the "Bits and Pieces"about Aiken-R.Johnson and Clampitt's involvement in the trial.She knew more than she let on!I think she felt that she would not be hanged based on what she was told by her "crack attorneys".IT-seems like our man- Aiken was out to defend as many of Jefferson Davis's political prisoners as he could! Remember-Today, All of the inmates on "Death Row" always claim to be INNOCENT! Herb Swingle ... Fairport - NY... 2009/11/03 - 08:17:47 ( # 52) |
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Booth's body
I thought Booth's body was brought to the Harvey-Marr funeral parlor in DC in 1869?? PWH ... EH - CT... 2009/11/03 - 05:53:38 ( # 53) |
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mary surratt
my responce got cut off kevin a kearns ... aylett - va ... 2009/11/02 - 23:01:27 ( # 54) |
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Ogarita
I forgot to comment that it was actually Booth's brother, Joseph Adrian Booth, who identified the "plugged" tooth of his brother as confirmed by the records of a Washington, DC dentist. This was done at Weaver's funeral establishment in Baltimore when the body was transferred to the family for interment in Greenmount Cemetery. There is no record that the so-called Mrs. John Wilkes Booth was present at that viewing and identification. Laurie Verge ... Clinton - MD... 2009/11/02 - 16:19:45 ( # 55) |
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mary surratt
at least jail time-she knew something but said nothing-military court war not over yet anyway commander-in kevin a kearns ... aylett - va ... 2009/11/02 - 15:23:04 ( # 56) |
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Ogarita Booth Henderson
Mr. Colfax, Thank you for the interesting article on yet another mystery tied to John Wilkes Booth. Working at Surratt House Museum, I have had the pleasure of working with wonderful descendants of the Martha Mills/JWB supposed-liaison as well as several researchers, including the late James O. Hall. Michael Kauffman has been in the mix also. All are hunting for the truth. Two members of the Surratt Society undertook the project nearly thirty years ago and scoured every record they could find in the New England states. The title of their book, The Elusive Booths of Burrillville, basically says it all. Their papers were donated to the research center at the Surratt House Museum years ago. To my knowledge no one has found the paper trail that definitely substantiates the story as told in that great book by Izola Forrester, This One Mad Act. They have had a good time looking, however. Laurie Verge ... Clinton - MD... 2009/11/02 - 14:49:16 ( # 57) |
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Mary Surratt - guilty or innocent?
As I've studied about Mary and the other conspirators the past few months, I've found opinions all over the spectrum as to her guilt or innocence and as to the legality of the military tribunal. Some feel she was guilty, but not deserving of hanging; others believe that she was guilty and got what she deserved. Some think that she was completely innocent and was only convicted due to her lawyers' inability to properly defend her. Still others say she would have been convicted no matter who her attorneys were or what they argued. So, where do most of the posters on this board come down on these questions? But let me ask in two different ways: According to the evidence presented at the trial in 1865: Mary Surratt, guilty of conspiring to assassinate Lincoln or not? Deserving of hanging or not? According to what we know now: Mary Surratt, guilty of conspiring to assassinate Lincoln or not? Deserving of hanging or not? Would she have been convicted and sentenced to death if the trial had been a civil trial and not a military tribunal? Do you agree with Aiken, Clampitt, Johnson, and others that the military trial itself was illegal and unconstitutional? Or do you believe that because the country was still in a state of war and the crime was a war crime it was the proper venue for justice? Christine ... Tremonton - UT... 2009/11/02 - 14:28:26 ( # 58) |
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Andrew Johnson
You are correct. Too many Vans in my mind. William Richter ... Tucson - AZ... 2009/11/02 - 09:05:53 ( # 59) |
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Tennessee Johnson
The movie starred Van Heflin. Kent Tucker ... Rantoul - Illinois... 2009/11/01 - 21:37:23 ( # 60) |
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Andrew Johnson
A lot of what ifs in Alan Gephart's prior posting. This will be a superficial reply. Suffice to say Hamlin was a Radical spy in the cabinet and probably would have followed Congressional Reconstruction to the letter. The real problem was could Lincoln have run with Hamlin on the ticket and won. Probably not. Johnson was a known loyal man from the South and a perfect man to counter the Peace Democrats. He had been military governor, survived assassination attempts, Confederate invasion and like Lincoln embraced emancipation, although not for it initially. If you believe Lerone Bennett's analysis of Lincoln's racism, he was again a perfect match for Lincoln, although a bit more outspoken in his racism. Both thought blacks inferior to whites, according to this theory. The standard work on Johnson is Hans Trefousse, Andrew Johnson. The most critical view of Johnson is Eric McKitrick, Andrew Johnson and Reconstrucion. The view of him as hero is Claude Bowers, The Tragic Era, which Hollywood used to base its movie Tennessee Johnson on starring Van Johnson. William Richter ... Tucson - AZ... 2009/11/01 - 15:04:58 ( # 61) |
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John Wilkes Booth's daughter
Here is a link to a story showing old clippings from the 1800's depicting the career and death of Ogarita Booth Henderson who claimed to be the daughter of John Wilkes Booth. http://www.terrastories.com/bearings/ogarita-booth-henderson-binghamton jt colfax ... binghamton - new york... 2009/11/01 - 10:16:12 ( # 62) |
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Andrew Johnson
I confess that I don't know enough about Andrew Johnson, and what I do know leaves me with a less than positive opinion of the man. From what I know, he was clearly a racist in his attitudes and his policies were affected by those attitudes. However, I don't know that he was "a snake." Moreover, my understanding of President Lincoln's role in the nomination of Johnson was not the decisive factor in that nomination. It is interesting to contemplate how Hannibal Hamlin might have fared as president against the Radicals. If not Hamlin or Johnson, who might have been Lincoln's running mate in 1864, and how would he have "improved on" the historical record that Johnson left. Any takers on a "what if" scenario? Alan Gephardt ... Baltimore - Maryland ... 2009/10/31 - 19:47:15 ( # 63) |
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An Ogarita Halloween
OK, this story was in Cindy Adam's gossip column the other day, and I hesitated about posting it, but here goes: 'Halloween. Ghosts. Goblins. Specters of those gone before. So, anyone planning to cavort around gravestones in cemeteries this Saturday, let me tell you about one in upstate Binghamton (NY). John Wilkes Booth's daughter lies buried there. Ogarita Booth Henderson. Did burlesque in the 1880's. Her mother came fro actor/circus folk. Ogarita dead at 32 of pneumonia, claimed to be Booth's daughter as did her family. It's the 150th birthday of Ogarita's believe-it-or-don't story. In any case, those bones got buried there in 1892. A Dec. 5, 1885, NY Times story out of Boston talks of "the only living child of the murderer of President Lincoln." She's "Mrs. Henderson, an actress, playing in a burlesque troupe at Grenier's Garden under the name 'Rita Booth'" Mrs Henderson, 5 when her father died, said her mother, now the widow of a Navy officer named Bellows and living in Scotland, CT., near Norwich, "had gone to the undertaker's shop where Booth's body lay and examined it closely." To identify it for burial, she said her mother "examined the teeth and was convinced by a certain gold filling that it was her husband." The Chicago Tribune's 'Necrology Of 1892' lists Ogarita among the year's 'Distinguished Dead' ' So there it is. Granted it was in the NY Post, but I though you all might enjoy this little tabloid tale. PWH ... EH - CT... 2009/10/31 - 11:25:31 ( # 64) |
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Fort Jefferson Article
Hello All, Here is the article that Laurie was referring to in her earlier post. http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2009/november-december/fort-jefferson.html John E. ... San Antonio - TX... 2009/10/30 - 19:38:45 ( # 65) |
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