Booth escape route north

[L Verge]

Troy,

I'm afraid that you have been on the outside looking in and adding claims that you cannot prove. I will only address the issue of "Boyd." I happened to have been on the inside when Mr. Boyd was thrown into the mess by mess-maker Ray Neff and his minions, Balsiger and Selig (or B.S. for short), in that ridiculous movie - and later book - on The Lincoln Conspiracy. The first showing of that in 1977(?) was given to a closed audience comprised of approximately 50-75 members of the Surratt Society and Mudd Society. It was laughable, and 99% of the audience, including me, advised them not to release it to the public. Much to the detriment of history, they ignored the suggestion.

Work began immediately to research the Boyd claim. Under the leadership of James O. Hall and his Baker Street Irregulars, coupled with support from the National Archives, the Library of Congress, university collections, and others, the research has continued into the 21st century. Nothing has been turned up. Since you are so certain of your statements about James WILLIAM Boyd, perhaps you would like to be hailed as the hero and SHOW US (NOT TELL US) THE DOCUMENTED PROOF THAT YOU HAVE to confirm your statements - and quoting Neff or Guttridge does not count as documented proof.

One more thing: If you need to know the height from the top of the railing on the President's Box to the stage at Ford's Theatre, just inquire with the National Park Service - or ask Jim Garrett of this forum, who happens to work at Ford's Theatre. Or, if you don't trust Jim, ask Mike Kauffman. The latter did not get permission to jump from the railing, but he did receive permission to set up a 12-foot stepladder and jump from it. Surratt House has a photograph of him in flight in our photographic archives.

While Mike is the one who began the debate over where the leg was broken, his leap has been discussed among several people who take into consideration that Mike was leaping from a standing position, whereas Booth was in motion as he reached the railing and jumped from a vaulting position. Mike had casual clothes on when he jumped - Booth may have been fettered by the cumbersome full clothing that he wore. Kauffman was not wearing high boots and spurs. He did not catch in a flag or chip an engraving's frame, both of which could throw off his balance upon landing. And, finally, Mike did not break his leg and attempt to run across the stage and mount a horse to see if it could be done.