Who, When, Why What

[ReignetteC]

Who inspired you to become interested in the Lincoln Assassination?

1. A relic: the Brooks Brothers overcoat President Lincoln wore to Ford’s Theatre on the fateful night of April 14, 1865.
2. A website: Roger Norton’s “Abraham Lincoln Research Site.”
3. Three Books: David Herbert Donald’s “Lincoln”; Edward Steer’s “Blood on the Moon”; and James Swanson’s “Manhunt,” inspired me to read more ... and more ... and more ... and now: Jim and Richard’s “The Lincoln Assassination,” and Betty’s “Alias Paine” . . . .

When did you become interested?

Early 2000s

Why are you interested?

The assassination is still an enigma to me. I love a good mystery and I especially love the opportunity to meet engaging and fascinating folks.

What does it mean to your everyday life?

When I think about the Brooks Brothers overcoat President Lincoln wore to Ford’s Theatre (and I do so everyday since I am writing a “little book” about it), I am reminded that, although it is linked to the assassination, the coat was made for the president’s second inauguration. Thus, to me, the "assassination" coat is a stirring symbol of "kindness and charity, of caring for others, and of a lasting peace among ourselves."