Countdown to July 7

[BettyO]

I've never noticed Powell wearing a straw hat before. What do you think, Betty? Is that on him or someone bending down behind him? I know you don't buy the story that he snatched a hat off someone's head as he walk to the scaffold.

Hey, Joe!

I wish that Gardner had moved his camera a little bit more to the left so we could get a good glimpse of Powell's face wearing that straw hat!
According to Dr. Gillette, (Newspaper article "Sixteen Hours in the Cells", Washington Chronicle 071065), he addressed Lew's "jaunty hat" and stated that the newspapers were in error that Powell snatched that hat off of someone's head. Gillette asked Lew's guard to procure a hat for him before he walked to the scaffold to protect him from the heat of the sun. Lew's hands were manacled behind him, so he couldn't snatch anything - couldn't even wipe the sweat and tears from his face on the gallows....

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Incredible photo's Betty. Is is my imagination, or can you barely see Mary Surratt's face through her vail?

Linda, that's amazing about Seward. I am a bit confused about the metal jaw contraption. Is their some debate about whether it was metal or not, and was he wearing a metal jaw brace when he was attacked? Are there any drawings of it, I have a hard time imagining what it may have looked like being worn?

This IS an amazing photo - yes, you can see Mary's face somewhat through the veil - Dave Taylor illustrated this haunting fact with his wonderful photo montage last year (by the way - check out his "BoothieBarn" blog today for another look at that wonderful graphic he made out of these photographs)...

To give John and Barry full credit for these wonderful photos.... like you Laurie - these gave me cold chills! Especially the look at Mrs. Surratt's face - amazing!!

I blew up my photo of Powell on the gallows and yes, you can see his face; head bowed, eyes closed. He was weeping as Gillette prayed.