Escape speculations

[Anita]

In post #20 above Jim Page posted:

"Theory: Mary Surratt had not planned an escape because she felt she would not be implicated. She was caught flat-footed by the speed with which the low-level portion of the enterprise came unglued and by that point, it was too late to plan or do anything. The federal government had her in their sights within hours of Lincoln being shot. Was there a tip-off from the top level to the federal government?

Mary Surratt's declining health was likely a factor in her not trying to escape, too. She wasn't the energetic, clear-headed person she had been just months before.

After hearing Booth's on-the-run report after he shot Lincoln, Mrs. Surratt sits in a darkened room waiting for what is to come. She waits for more reports from the other low-level players for her after-action report to the top level. In a larger sense, she waits for her fate. When Powell comes to report, it is all over."

Jim, this makes a lot of sense to me. I'd like to add that IMO Mary Surrratt didn't want her son John in on the assassination plot. Working with the Confederacy to undermine the Union was one level of risk. Failure of the assassination plot meant death to the conspirators. She was protecting him by making sure he stayed away from DC. She didn't believe that as a woman her life would be at stake if caught. So she willingly became the key player working with Booth in the plot.

I believe she did not want John to risk his life for hers and while in prison worked with the Catholic priests to insure his escape and protect him.

That's my two cents. Thanks for the topic Eva.