Lucy Hale

[STS Lincolnite]

(10-12-2015 06:43 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Thomas - what is your source for that quote? I have never read about "Booth's badly burned body." Some ill-informed people have stated that Booth burned to death in the barn, but I have never seen reference to him being badly burned when dragged out alive from the barn.

I have never seen any evidence to support the fact Booth's body was burned in any way. There is nothing that I know of in any of the trial testimony either (Mrs. Surratt & Co., John Surratt, or Johnson impeachment trial). That being said, I would like to know what the source on that is. As Laurie said there are undoubtedly lots of spurious stories out there.

I also seriously doubt that Lucy Hale was anywhere near Booth's body on the Montauk. Senator Hale probably didn't want her anywhere near Booth when he was alive and I'm sure he would have kept a tight leash on her after the assassination and before they went to Spain. John E could would be the best person to address the rumor that Lucy boarded the Montauk to view Booth.

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(10-12-2015 06:55 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Weren't women in general less "in demand"? Clara Harris e.g. didn't have to testify. Also - is/was it likely Lucy Hale would have added anything ground-breaking?

I think in the 19th century, women would have generally been regarded as less reliable or credible witnesses. But of course that would depend on what they had to say and how it supported the case that was trying to be made.

I actually think Lucy Hale would have had some things to add. Not necessarily so much about the assassination itself or the night of April 14th, but certainly about what went on it the late fall of 1864 and spring of 1865. We may have gotten a much clearer picture of Booth's movements between cities (when he did so and why) and maybe even who he met with. Also what his moods were like and when. We might also know what information Lucy passed along to him (probably innocently). She probably had some information Booth would have liked to know about as a result of her father's position as well as her own social standing and connections.