The “rubber box” or did Laura Keene indeed held Lincoln’s head?

[STS Lincolnite]

Though I find Dr. Leale generally credible, I can't say I trust his 1909 lecture in this instance. He made no mention of Keene in his 1865 or 1867 statements. And more importantly to me, as has been discussed in another thread, he also reported in his 1909 lecture (with no mention in 1865 or 1867) that he performed resuscitation techniques on the president. Only problem - the first recorded use of these techniques was 1891 - 25+ years after the assassination.

I think that he became familiar with the technique in the intervening years and used it to embellish his lecture. I think he did the same thing with Keene. He heard that tale of her cradling the president's head and so he used it to embellish his lecture. Let's face it, it makes for a good story.