The Spur Question

[RJNorton]

(02-01-2018 11:39 AM)Dennis Urban Wrote:  Upon further re-reading from various sources, it is unknown if Forbes kept whatever was handed to him. In the only statement Forbes provided many years later he does not say. If JWB handed him something (writings contain various descriptions of what this was) and took it back, why were these items not found on JWB's person when apprehended? It is plausible that he discarded them, but why; his identity was easily known. Plus he had his diary (day book) with him which he must have carried on his person when in the theatre. Oh, the mysteries of history.

You are right, Dennis. It's difficult to know exactly what happened.

A witness who was seated "close to the action" was Captain Theodore McGowan. He was seated on the right side of the dress circle. Here is his account of what took place:

"I was present at Ford’s Theatre on the night of the assassination. I was sitting in the aisle leading by the wall toward the door of the President’s box, when a man came and disturbed me in my seat, causing me to push my chair forward to permit him to pass; he stopped about three feet from where I was sitting, and leisurely took a survey of the house. I looked at him because he happened to be in my line of sight. He took a small pack of visiting-cards, selecting one and replacing the others, stood a second, perhaps, with it in his hand, and then showed it to the President's messenger, who was sitting just below him. Whether the messenger took the card into the box, or, after looking at it, allowed him to go in, I do not know; but in a moment or two more, I saw him go through the door of the lobby leading to the box and close the door."