Where was John Surratt on April 14, 1865 ?

[RJNorton]

(03-27-2017 07:29 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Conventional wisdom is that John Wilkes Booth visited Surratt's boardinghouse on April 14th THREE TIMES, the last time ca. 9 pm. According to Weichmann Mary was "very nervous, agitated and restless" after this last visit.

I just read that some believe that it was NOT Booth who was there at that time, but her SON (!?) What is your opinion about this? Just curious to know. Thanks.

My opinion is that I agree with half of this. I do think Booth came, but I do not think John Surratt was there at that time. I think Susan Jackson was mistaken.

IMO Smoot visited, but so did Booth. Although I am sometimes wary of Weichmann's honesty, I tend to believe him this time (simply because I think it makes sense that Booth would want to check with Mary regarding her trip to the country).

About the visitor, Weichmann wrote that when the detectives had departed on the morning of April 15th Anna Surratt cried out, "Oh, Ma! Mr. Weichmann is right; just think of that man (John W. Booth) having been here an hour before the assassination. I am afraid it will bring suspicion upon us."

Certainly Weichmann could have "created" these words coming from Anna. I know some forum members believe this. But it's my personal tendency to believe him regarding Anna's reaction to the visitor.