The Bloody Pillow Case

[BettyO]

Here's my question....

We've all seen "reputed" pieces of "Mrs. Surratt's" hair (wonder why it was cut in the first place?!) I say "reputed" because without DNA or a legit verifiable provenance, I don't know how it can be cited as what it is.... However, the male prisoners' hair was cut at least twice (once in June and once in July a few days before the hanging according to Hartranft's Letterbooks as well as the press) - so....why aren't there pieces of conspirator hair flitting around for sale on the internet? Was this simply swept up and away or did soldiers/guards vie for hunks of this? We do know the name of the prisoners' routine barber and he shaved the prisoners weekly; if not daily as well....did he garner any of the hair as souvenirs? One wonders.....