Grant and Lincoln's invitation

[Anita]

[quote='Susan Higginbotham' pid='39527' dateline='1413427050']
From the testimony of John T. Ford, James Maddox, H. Clay Ford, and Thomas Raybold at the conspiracy trial, it doesn't sound as if there was a set policy of leaving the other boxes unsold when the President attended. None of them suggests that there was.



Thanks Susan for posting the trial testimony. Great information. None of the testimony even implies this was a policy. I can think of many reasons why there were empty boxes and low ticket sales.

As Eva mentioned, it was Good Friday and many people don't go out on such a solemn religious holiday.

John T Ford speaking of "Our American Cousin" testified "...of late years it has not been a strong card, but a fair attraction. And it was the last night.

Only that day did the papers announce Lincoln and Grant would be attending. Not much time to make plans if one wanted to go because they would be there.

Grover's was showing a very popular attraction the same night.

People had been celebrating Lee's surrender with the grand illumination on April 13.

In other words, lots going on to account for low attendance at Ford's on April 14.

Booth knew where the President's box was when he and his party were in attendance. There was no need to have the other boxes vacant when he had a separate entry leading to the box and his planned escape was a leap to the stage.