Did Lincoln pick up Maj. Rathbone amd Miss Harris?

[RJNorton]

(05-23-2013 11:37 AM)John Fazio Wrote:  Please refresh my recollection about the castor oil story. I am only vaguely familiar with it.

John, I mentioned once before I thought this came up in the John Surratt trial, and I am including the relevant testimony here. However, the way I read it, I cannot see this as being definitive that Herold actually delivered castor oil to the White House.

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William S. Thompson recalled and examined.

By Mr. Pierrepont:

Q. Can you give us the date at which Herold was a clerk in your store?

A. From the 1st of March, 1863, until the 4th day of July following.

Q. State whether Mr. Lincoln obtained his medicines there during that time.

A. Yes, sir; he did.

Q. Do you know whether Herold put up any for him?

A. I have examined my books and blotter, to ascertain, as nearly as possible, whether Herold mixed any medicines for him during that time. I find only one article charged by Herold.

Q. Then you have no other means of knowing.

[Mr. Bradley said he could not see the relevancy of this testimony, and desired it to be received subject to his objection.

Mr. Pierrepont said he would endeavor to make it relevant.]

A. I have no other means of knowing.

Cross-examined by Mr. Bradley:

Q. Does it follow because the charge was in Herold's handwriting, that he put the medicine up?

A. Not necessarily; no, sir.

Q. What is the date at which the medicine was put up?

A. June 22, 1863 — a small vial of castor-oil.

Q. What other clerks had you in the store at that time?

A. I had two others — Clinton M. Sears and Charles McGlue.

Q. Where is Sears at this time ?

A. He is dead.

Q. Where is McGlue?

A. He is engaged in a store now on Seventh street, in this city.

Q. In business for himself or as a clerk.

A. As a clerk.

Q. For whom?

A. In a drug store on Seventh street, opposite Taylor's, kept I believe by a man by the name of Cassin.