Conspirators' hoods

[BettyO]

Yes - according to Hartranft's letterbook, the hoods were removed while they exercised for an hour each day in the yard and they were also given reading material - some books from Dr Porter's own library. The good doctor noticed that Spangler's mind was "wandering" and he feared that the prisoners would go mad if they were not given some respite from the hoods as well as reading material. Of course the hoods were removed while they were in the courtroom, but Dr Porter also knew that they needed unhindered exercise as well. They were allowed an hour each day in the court yard. They could walk around and play quoits, so the irons must have been removed from their arms, if not their legs (the leg irons had 18 inch chains.)