Mounting Block Behind Ford's?

[BettyO]

Laurie -

You are correct. A "mounting block" was principally for ladies (or gents who may have trouble mounting) but also utilized for entering and exiting a carriage. No need for one in the alley - it'd be like putting a traffic light in an alley today; not enough traffic to warrant it....

As far as the spinning horse, Jim, if one is an experienced equestrian, and Booth certainly was, that nervous, spinning mare would have been conquered by JWB soon enough. Simply pull the near rein (left) tighter than the other; turning her head, and she'll stop spinning long enough to mount.