Mug Shot Photos Put To Use: Observation / Theory

[John E.]

Hi Folks,

During Herold's interrogation aboard the Montauk, he was shown a series of 9 photos including 4 of which he positively identified:

1. John Surratt (Photo 1)
2. Photo 2 Unrecognized (Arnold ?)
3. O'Laughlin (Photo 3)
4. Spangler (Photo 4)
5. Atzerodt (Photo 5).
6. Photo 6 Unrecognized (Powell?)
7. Photo 7 Unrecognized (Powell?)
8. Photo 8 Unrecognized (Richter?)
9. Photo 9 Unrecognized (Celestino?)


Just a guess but I think the other five were of: Arnold, Richter, Powell and Celestino.

The assumption would be that Celestino's photo was taken and a print developed to show to Herold. The interrogation happened on April 27, 1865.

Here are Herold's responses:

Photo 6 - I don't know him. I never saw him.
Photo 7 - I am confident I never saw him.

** My theory is that photos 6 & 7 were of the same person. Most likely Powell. Investigators were confident that Powell was involved and they wanted to give Herold a second look at the same guy. Herold wanted in turn to "confidently" deny knowing him. -- Much like Mary.

-- Pure guess on my part though.

Photo 8 - I don't know who that is.
Photo 9 - I don't know him.