Recollections by James McDevitt and Albert Daggett

[Susan Higginbotham]

These accounts of the assassination were published in the April 15, 1894, Springfield Republican (and other newspapers as well). Note that McDevitt mentions Richards' rushing into police headquarters (which could corroborate his account of having been at Ford's when Lincoln was shot, or at least somewhere other than headquarters when the news broke), as well as McDevitt's account of his visit to Mary Surratt's boardinghouse. Apologies for the small image.

(That image was even smaller than I thought. If anyone is clever enough to enlarge them, I can email the original PDF to him or her.)

Daggett wrote several letters to his family shortly after the assassination, one of which can be found at the link here.

http://alplm-cdi.com/chroniclingillinois.../show/8120

[Jim Garrett]

What a great article. It would appear from McDevitt that A.C. Richards was not in the audience. Susan, you are an incredible researcher and an incredible asset to the symposium. Thank you for all your magnificent work.

[Susan Higginbotham]

Thanks, Jim!

[Jim Garrett]

Good friend Mike Robinson portrays A.C. Richards at Ford's Theatre as a volunteer. He has always believed that Richards was in the audience. I thinks this article adds probably adds that one more piece of significant doubt with McDevitt writing that they sent out detectives looking for individual to identify the assassin. If Richards was there, he could either identify JWB or have brought in someone immediately who would provide a positive ID. Again great work Susan.