(06-03-2015 12:12 PM)Jim Page Wrote:  I'd be willing to bet that Thomas Jones covered up or chose not to mention a great deal in his little book.

For one thing, I don't believe his "Booth and Herold hiding in the pine thicket" story. I just can't see Booth doing that for five days with little more than he could carry in a saddlebag. I don't know what the weather was during the 12 days Booth and Herold were on the run, but I've lived through some cold and wet Aprils since I moved to this area.

My belief is that he and probably Herold were given shelter by someone and Jones didn't want to get that someone in trouble by spilling the beans. I got the sense from reading his book that he had a strong sense of loyalty and once he gave his word to keep something secret, he wouldn't violate that oath.

I've also spoken to folks who live in the part of Maryland where Booth and Herold were that hint at family histories/legends/tales suggesting more went on than was told in Jones' account.

Just my own belief and I don't expect anyone to agree!

--Jim

(06-16-2015 08:16 AM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  It's great to see such an informed group (Jim Page included) believe that Booth and Herold may very well spent those few days elsewhere. I agree wholeheartedly with Laurie, Thomas Harbin and Thomas Jones were still on duty. I think it amazing that after his return from self imposed exile, Thomas Harbin is the front desk clerk at the National Hotel. An ideal spot to watch a lot of comings and goings.

(06-15-2015 06:31 PM)Jim Page Wrote:  Bill, I'm not to be trusted with such a question, but I believe he was the sole source. Jim Garrett or Lindsey Horn, can one of you chime in?

(06-16-2015 12:15 PM)Jim Page Wrote:  Wow. With Jim G's, Wild Bill's, and Laurie's comments, this thread is sure getting interesting!

Laurie wrote:
>>I have always wanted to see an aerial view of the area between today's Bel Alton-Newtown Road
>>(the access route closest to the so-called pine thicket today) and the Newport and Allen's Fresh area.
>>To me, that might give a hint as to how extensive the area was and if it would have been feasible
>>for Booth and Herold to move from Point A to Point B without detection in between.

We should get together and do this and soon. It should be very informative.

--Jim

(06-16-2015 02:35 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Find a partner and do it. You ain't gettin me in no airplane!

(06-16-2015 06:09 PM)L Verge Wrote:  [quote='Rick Smith' pid='48626' dateline='1434491698']
The distance between Bel Alton and Newport is about 8 miles. A horse walks at 4 miles per hour; trots at 8 miles per hour and canters or hand gallops at 12 miles per hour. It would have taken Booth, Herold & Samuel Cox, Jr. {the "white boy" referred to by James Owens, in my opinion} an hour or so to reach Newport and arrive on that Thursday evening {April 20} "about supper time," Owens' words again, used when describing the "strangers" who rode into the village and up to the front of the Adams Tavern, owned by Austin & Adele Adams. Adams & Owens were doing the same sort of thing in their neighborhood that Jones & Woodland were doing further up stream.

It really is very simple; hundreds of federal soldiers, detectives and private citizens are hunting Booth. To keep him safe, he must be moved to a new location every time that pressure is brought to bear on his present location, until it is time to move for the River. They are led to Jones at Huckleberry by the white boy, who afterward returns leading the horses. Again, this is from Owens who was being interrogated by the federals. He was later interrogated much more pointedly at the Old Capitol and was destined never to come out alive. My feeling is that the federals could not get what they wanted from him, because he just did not know, and that he died while being "questioned."

Does Owens actually imply that the fugitives were taken directly to Huckleberry? Jones had a passel of kids who could blab, he would not have wanted to put them directly in harm's way, and he was already under suspicion (proven by Willams's offer of the huge reward). Surely he would have smuggled the pair somewhere else less visible. I have never been to the end of Old Faulkner Road, but my suspicion is that their hiding place - after leaving Newport - would be somewhere in that vicinity. Remember that there is mention made somewhere about the dogs starting to bark as they passed this one house - which still stands a short distance off of 301.

One of my projects for the Surratt Conference in 2016 is to put together a Friday tour to "Charles County: Maryland's Confederacy." You don't know it yet, but I am recruiting you and Dave Taylor to do my legwork in narrating it. I am very familiar with the various places that I want to include, except for the Allen's Fresh and Newport region. At some point after the heat and humidity have departed Southern Maryland, I would like to drive that area with you as my guide. [Note to anyone nefarious who might be reading this and thinking of stealing my idea: Forget it, I'll hunt you down!]

Hint to those with ties to Tudor Hall: I also want a way to get a bus onto the property there for a tour on Sunday of the conference. Who do I have to bribe?

(06-16-2015 06:27 PM)Rick Smith Wrote:  

(06-16-2015 06:09 PM)L Verge Wrote:  [quote='Rick Smith' pid='48626' dateline='1434491698']
The distance between Bel Alton and Newport is about 8 miles. A horse walks at 4 miles per hour; trots at 8 miles per hour and canters or hand gallops at 12 miles per hour. It would have taken Booth, Herold & Samuel Cox, Jr. {the "white boy" referred to by James Owens, in my opinion} an hour or so to reach Newport and arrive on that Thursday evening {April 20} "about supper time," Owens' words again, used when describing the "strangers" who rode into the village and up to the front of the Adams Tavern, owned by Austin & Adele Adams. Adams & Owens were doing the same sort of thing in their neighborhood that Jones & Woodland were doing further up stream.

It really is very simple; hundreds of federal soldiers, detectives and private citizens are hunting Booth. To keep him safe, he must be moved to a new location every time that pressure is brought to bear on his present location, until it is time to move for the River. They are led to Jones at Huckleberry by the white boy, who afterward returns leading the horses. Again, this is from Owens who was being interrogated by the federals. He was later interrogated much more pointedly at the Old Capitol and was destined never to come out alive. My feeling is that the federals could not get what they wanted from him, because he just did not know, and that he died while being "questioned."

Does Owens actually imply that the fugitives were taken directly to Huckleberry? Jones had a passel of kids who could blab, he would not have wanted to put them directly in harm's way, and he was already under suspicion (proven by Willams's offer of the huge reward). Surely he would have smuggled the pair somewhere else less visible. I have never been to the end of Old Faulkner Road, but my suspicion is that their hiding place - after leaving Newport - would be somewhere in that vicinity. Remember that there is mention made somewhere about the dogs starting to bark as they passed this one house - which still stands a short distance off of 301.

One of my projects for the Surratt Conference in 2016 is to put together a Friday tour to "Charles County: Maryland's Confederacy." You don't know it yet, but I am recruiting you and Dave Taylor to do my legwork in narrating it. I am very familiar with the various places that I want to include, except for the Allen's Fresh and Newport region. At some point after the heat and humidity have departed Southern Maryland, I would like to drive that area with you as my guide. [Note to anyone nefarious who might be reading this and thinking of stealing my idea: Forget it, I'll hunt you down!]

Hint to those with ties to Tudor Hall: I also want a way to get a bus onto the property there for a tour on Sunday of the conference. Who do I have to bribe?

Laurie,

James Owens says that he last saw the strangers heading to the west towards Popes Creek and the home of Thomas Jones with the white boy leading them {paraphrasing here}. Then, later, the white boy comes back with the horses. Wild Bill mentioned in a post that I had some of Dr. Queen's descendants on one of my tours at Surratt's. It was very interesting as they told me that the family history handed down to them was that the horses came to Dr. Queen's farm. This all ties things together for me. Either the horses were faked before they came to Dr. Queen or afterwards and were pastured & stabled with others is most likely.

As to the tour of Bel Alton to Newport and wherever; it would be my great pleasure to drive you over the area. I am at your service.

Rick

(06-16-2015 10:32 AM)Wild Bill Wrote:  The article you all want to see is J. E. “Rick” Smith, III, “The Owens Statement,” Surratt Courier, 32 (No. 10, October 2007), 3-6.