Countdown to July 7

[BettyO]

This memoir - if true, indicates Powell's marvelous sense of humor -- however one must remember that there are different conflicts in Rath's memories of the events as an older man.

Rath, later in life, suffered from dementia (Alzheimer's.) In fact, he died with it. I have therefore wondered if a lot of these later recollections were somewhat discolored by his condition; i.e. he also remembered Lew Powell as being a blond, when the boy actually had dark brown hair. Although Powell was basically given a "crew cut" hair cut a few days before he went to the gallows, this could account for the hair follicles appearing lighter in the sunlight and making him appear with lighter hair. Also, the use of pomade in his hair would make his hair appear darker.