Booth's visit to the Surratt Boarding House after the assassination

[MaddieM]

(10-23-2012 10:28 AM)Art Loux Wrote:  

(10-22-2012 01:48 PM)Laurie Verge Wrote:  Joe, I had forgotten about Hazelton's description of Booth's attire. That makes sense that he came prepared to ride hard and fast. I have never worn a slouch hat, but I have always been of the opinion that it was pulled down more towards the ears and more secure on the head.

Jim Garrett - your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to put on white gloves, convince the Ford's curator to let you examine the boot, and report back to us as to any pockets on the inside.

Seems to me that Joe's remembering the Hazelton statement and the possibility of examining Booth's boot might provide the factual information required?

Laurie,

A man who examined the boot in 1925 wrote: "This is of well-worn black leather, 23 (maybe 28) inches long an approximately 20 inches in diameter at the top or thigh. The sole and heel together measure 11 inches outside, the sole at its greatest width ?? inches, and the sharply squared off toe is 2 1/2 inches. It is the boot for the left foot. The heel is intact at the outside, but is worn down about 1/4 inch at the inside and the same is true of the sole , indicating that when walking Booth turned his ankles in, and perhaps was inclined to be knock-kneed. [Yes, I know he was bowlegged] Inside, at the top, the boot is faced with smooth white calfskin for a distance down of 6 1/2 inches, where it joins the rough interior. At the front on this calfskin , some two inches below the top, is written in black ink, but very faintly, the name and address of the maker, and about an inch below this the name "J. Wilkes -----" From "New Interest in Booth Relics Keeps War Department Busy," Washington Star, Sunday Morning, May 17, 1925 by George M. Battey, Jr.

There is no mention of a pocket. I have another article which claims Booth used the boots for ice skating and there is a screw hole in the heel for mounting skates.

I'm loving the forensics on this.... knock kneed ? That would very much compliment his rather weak chin.