ADJUSTING THE ROPES PRIOR TO THE HANGING |
Library of Congress Photograph |
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Hoods were placed over the prisoners' heads, and their hands and feet were bound. The rope used in the hanging was sturdy 32-strand Boston hemp. The nooses were made the night previous by Christian Rath, the hangman. From the left, the people about to be hanged were Mary Surratt (still seated), Lewis Powell (alias Paine or Payne), David Herold, and George Atzerodt. CLICK HERE to view a close-up of Powell seated on the gallows. Mary Surratt wore a black dress and veil. Herold and Atzerodt were still bareheaded when this photograph was taken. Below the platform soldiers are holding the supporting posts which would soon be knocked out when the actual hanging took place (in Washington in the courtyard of the Old Arsenal Penitentiary). |
Wood Engraving from Harpers Weekly, July 22, 1865 |
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INSIDE THE WALLS: THE FINAL DAYS OF THE LINCOLN CONSPIRATORS
Inside the Walls is the creation of John Elliott and Barry Cauchon, Lincoln conspirator researchers who are currently writing a book on the subject. The book is expected to be available in 2013 or 2014.
A handsome preview to the book has already been published. To purchase A Peek Inside the Walls please phone the Surratt House Museum at (301) 868-1121. They accept Visa or MasterCard over the phone. If you wish to pay by check or money order, please mail your payment, along with your request for the preview to: Surratt House Museum, PO Box 427, 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD, 20735.
For more information on Inside the Walls please CLICK HERE.
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