under the stage

[mgambuzza]

Hi:

One thing has always bothered me about the sequence of events on the night of the assassination. Why did Booth et al have to lift the trap door (stage right) to cross under the stage when it seems they could have walked to stage door left by proceeding down the alley. Also, when looking at the limited photos of Ford's circa 1865, it's impossible to discern that there is indeed a passageway between the Star Saloon and Ford's. Does anyone know of a photo that shows this passage?

Mike