Booth, the Garretts and an Invitation to Tea

[Dave Taylor]

(10-12-2014 01:10 PM)Linda Anderson Wrote:  There's an interview with W. D. Newbill in the April 7, 1929 Evening Star in which he says that he and and "two companions" were sharing a "rather slim meal of cornbread, salt pork and greens" at a table on the lawn when Booth, who was called "Boyd," hobbled up. He said Booth spoke little and refused Garrett's offer of a bedroom for him to rest in saying "that a soldier would not know how to rest in a bed anyhow."

The Garretts say they refused to let Booth stay in the house a second night.

Exactly, Linda. This is just another case of an account that came long after the fact and gets the basic details wrong. I always judge an account based on whether or not they get the timeline correct. Booth spent two nights at the Garretts, the first of which was in the house without Davy. If a source doesn't get this right, then it is likely fictitious or second/third hand.