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

[Jim Garrett]

(11-12-2012 10:07 PM)Rsmyth Wrote:  I think the bartender said Booth usually drank brandy but that night he ordered whiskey.

Rich, you are correct. According to Peter's testimony, JWB usually drank brandy. That night he had whiskey. He apparently knocked the first one back very quickly and had a second. Peter was getting water, because JWB usually had water with his drink, and when he went back JWB was already gone.

My best guess is Booth didn't want a revolver on him: 1) the weight. 2) walking in with a gun and gunbelt may draw undue attention.

Booth's #1 objective was to get to the President and shoot him. If he was noticed with a gunbelt and revolver, he may have been questioned by someone. If Parker or another had HAD been at their post, and questioned JWB and noticed the bulge of a pistil in a holster under the coat, he may not have been successful.

Booth was a bold actor and a bold man. His plan was to get to the Presiddent as unobtrusively as possible, and if he escaped, so much the better.