Herndon House

[L Verge]

I think that Joe Beckert can probably attest to the fact that, even today, authorities ransack a house and leave it in disarray when trying to find evidence against an accused person. Our new exhibit for 2013 will have a period sketch of Union troops doing that in a Maryland home.

Mrs. Surratt's boardinghouse on H Street was in a very good neighborhood in 1865; she was considered a pious, well-bred (Catholic schooled) woman. Anna was also well-schooled and talented. They may have been scarce on money, but I believe they enjoyed good manners and good upbringing. Do I think they would support Confederate operations? Yes, but that did not effect their personal habits related to housekeeping.

Besides, Louis Weichmann was such a whiner, I'm sure that he would have had some sniveling comments about poor housekeeping! It was just the press trying to make mountains out of mole hills to attract the public and sway opinion -- things haven't changed a bit.