Countdown to July 7

[BettyO]

(07-11-2012 10:48 AM)Lindsey Wrote:  I know this thread has deviated form july 7th and it is a few days passed but I wanted to answer Linda's inquires:
1. Some of Herold's sisters went to the White House as well on that day to request clemency. As we all know, no one was granted an audience.
2. The man is Rev. Dr. Mark Olds. He was the Episcopal minister at Christ Episcopal Church on G Street, not far from the Herold home. He hadn't been preaching long so had never met Davey before but from a letter I found from a relative, he wasn't thrilled to meet him at first but was a southern sympathizer. But he must have changed as right before the drops fell, he turned his back so he wouldn't see. If I remember correctly, he died a few months later from cancer. As far as the hand on his shoulder, it must be from the man in white who later adjusted his noose. I believe Barry and John came up with a few possible names for him but aren't 100% sure who he was. he's not Rath though, as we have all believed for quite some time!

I went and visited Davey and boy was it hot! The plot doesn't look great--the grass being all dried up and some weeds popping up between some of the headstones. But the cemetery is great and the people so helpful.

Lindsey -

I believe that Barry and John confirmed that the "man in white" was Col. McCall. I had heard that Olds turned his back - and I don't blame him! I wouldn't have wanted to watch a lady and four young men die either! I do not know if Reverend Stryker and Dr. Gillette turned their backs - but I do know that Gillette stated that the horror of watching young Powell die haunted him for the rest of his life.