Was there an assassin on Grant's train?

[BettyO]

Quote:So, we have a foursome...one of the most famous actors in the USA, two shabbily dressed men (Herold and Atzerodt), and Powell (maybe Betty can comment on how he was dressed) eating lunch at the Willard Hotel on the day of the assassination, and only one person made mental note of this group?

Powell was more or less dressed rather nicely, so much so that even Seward noticed his attacker's dress. Accordingly, on the night of the assassination when Powell barged into his room, Seward was half asleep and on waking, first glimpsed Powell's arm extended towards him, thinking "What an elegant overcoat that is." [Cincinnati Daily Gazette, Feb. 6, 1866.] The overcoat was a mixture of pink and gray tweed-like woolen material. Underneath, he was wearing a dark gray frock coat with matching vest trimmed with velvet. His pants were black (I've seen some comments upon his capture of the pants having been cashmere.) He wore a white linen shirt and collar and probably a tie (Weichmann said that he wore a black silk necktie.) He wore fine leather boots, according to one of the arresting officers. So apparently Powell would have "fit in" in a fine dining establishment. William Bell said that he appeared to be "finely dressed" when he appeared at Seward's door that night.

Herold's coat, upon his capture, was corduroy.

   

Herold's Corduroy Coat and Checked Trousers

   

Powell's Tweed Overcoat

   

Powell's Suit (Trousers are NOT the ones he wore assassination night - they are Navy Trousers)

   

Atzerodt's Tie

   

Atzerodt's Suit