J. J. Reford and J. J. Chaffee...who were they?...Really??

[BettyO]

I'm finding this discussion fascinating!

I feel that there was indeed a New York connection. JWB and Powell both went to NY right after the kidnap venture failed. Certainly this was not just a lay over on a trip up to Canada to consort with the cabinet there....or was it? Powell, we know, was at the Revere House in New York where he wrote fiancee Mary Branson and instructed her to write him there. She did so but never heard another word from him, or so she said.... I've always wondered what the consultation there was about. Was it then that kidnap turned to assassination? I don't know much about this angle except for what's in Come Retribution; i.e. that via code, Reford had more or less previously met Powell in Baltimore and wanted Powell to contact JWB about "the horses." I also wonder if the "Paris" mentioned in the letter could be Paris, VA - Powell lived there with the Payne Family..... Of course, all of this was brought up at the Surratt Trial in 1867 -- after the February 20, 1865 letter was found in Booth's trunk --

It could very well be that Reford was out seeking Booth as well in order to divert others away from himself and others who were possibly connected. It could very well be that JWB's diary reference was in regards to this.... good point, Roger!

Also, Gene - you are spot on about research! I can now (via the internet) get more done in a week than I could have done in a year "back in the day" when I was first researchng Alias --- the name of the game then was type letters, visit research facilities....and wait for responses..... STILL love to visit research facilities....but one no longer has to wait like the old days! Still gratifying though....