The Assassin's Lair

[MaddieM]

GREAT photo circa 1925 of Surratt Boarding House - from the wonderful Shorpy site:

http://www.shorpy.com/node/14987?utm_sou...to+Blog%29


Extremely high resolution -

Yes, isn't it? Shame such a shame that historical houses like this are not preserved in their former glory. Once they are gone, that's it. American Victorian architecture is outstanding.

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Assuming that Powell was coming towards the house from the right of this photo, it seems unusual that he would not have seen or "felt" a presence under that front door stoop. I believe that a soldier or official was standing guard there while the authorities were inside the house.

I thought Lew approached from the left - facing the stairs....

As far as I know, there was no gas light on H Street at that time - and as it was overcast, it must have been black as pitch.

Living in a somewhat rural neighborhood, some overcast nights I can look out my back door and it's so dark that you can't see your hand in front of your face --

Interesting, though Laurie....supposedly it was reported that the carriage was parked further up the street -

Does anyone KNOW when gas street lighting was introduced (if ever) on H Street?

If he was coming from east, wouldn't he have approached from the right, facing the stairs? I'm perplexed as to why he didn't notice the carriage outside, unless he was that sleep deprived he could barely think straight.

And another thing? If there was a guard there, why wasn't he challenged as he walked up the steps? Or was he?