Booth's Day on April 14

[L Verge]

(01-07-2017 08:37 PM)J. Beckert Wrote:  

(01-07-2017 05:35 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Thanks for furnishing this, Joe. However, it confuses me even more.

This appears to state that Hanscom and his companion were first stopped by two gentlemen before entering the tiny hallway that leads to the two boxes, and then they encountered Forbes and allowed him to give the dispatch to the President. Did he actually deliver it? Clara would have been aware of who he was - and he certainly bore no resemblance to Booth.

Who were the two gentlemen at the first door when Hanscom arrived? Parker and Burke? They weren't there when Booth arrived about 10:15. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Forbes then seated in their place (basically in the dress circle)?

I don't know if Hanscom had a companion - I think he just wrote about the incident in the third person.

I think the two people in the aisle were a man named Crawford and a companion. I don't think they were there in an official capacity, they were just watching the play. They were in a reservist type of Army unit for older/possibly injured men that could not serve in the field. Crawford made a statement that's in Good's book (I don't have it handy) and he identifies the other man. He also mentions having to move for Booth when he came through. His account is very interesting and he stated his first impression of Booth was that he was intoxicated.

** Here's Crawford's statement. I found it online - https://books.google.com/books?id=hbesCQ...ot&f=false

Thanks for supplying the link, Joe. I remember the Crawford and McGowan references now that you've triggered the old brain back into gear, but I never tied them to being guards to the presidential box -- still don't. I think they were just theater patrons who moved their chairs for a better view of the stage.