List of Ford's Theatre Attendees

[RJNorton]

(05-05-2026 05:40 PM)Linda Anderson Wrote:  Roger, I think the account of Mrs. Nelson Todd is my favorite account, too, but wasn't Lincoln's box on the right of the theatre facing the stage? She said, "There was a flag draped box on the left for the President, Mrs. Lincoln, Miss Harris and major Rathborne. They sat in the second box."

The next part reminds me of the bit from vaudeville where a not so good performer was unceremoniously yanked off the stage with a curtain hook.

"When Booth's spur caught and threw him to the stage he broke his leg in a terrible way, so that the bone actually protruded through his trousers and smeared the stage with blood. Naturally he couldn't move. Laura Keen leaned over and patted his head. Then to my amazement I saw a rope swing out, evidently thrown by some confederates, lasso him and whisk him into the wings. That was the last time I ever saw John Wilkes Booth."

Linda, yes, the Presidential Box was on the right side facing the stage. All other private boxes were empty. I have tried in vain to find an audio version of Mrs. Nelson Todd's WOR radio presentation, but so far no luck.

In contrast to Ford's, I believe I have read that if the Lincolns had chosen to go to Grover's Theatre that night JWB could have occupied the private box right next to the Lincolns.