Killing Lincoln - Nat Geo (Reactions)

[RJNorton]

Linda, thanks for finding that article. I guess Tad was along for the walk. I used to believe that, but I started having my doubts about 15 years ago. That's when the Winter 1997 Lincoln Herald arrived and included an article by William Hanchett titled "Persistent Myths of the Lincoln Assassination." Dr. Hanchett writes, "In the unfortunate but well-established traditions of memories, Crook committed many other unkindnesses to truth." Dr. Hanchett is skeptical of all of Crook's stories from April 1865, and certainly seems to think Crook is an extremely unreliable source who is capable of creating false stories. Since that time I have had my doubts on the story of Crook and Tad walking with the president in Richmond. But if there is a contemporary newspaper account that says Tad walked the streets then I will have to reshape my thinking and go back to my pre-1997 belief.

Admiral David Porter gave a very detailed account of the walk, and I do not think he mentioned either Tad or Crook being there. That account starts on p. 294 here.