Does anyone know...?

[Dennis Urban]

(09-07-2017 04:54 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(09-07-2017 03:37 PM)Dennis Urban Wrote:  Somewhere I recall reading the "stable" was large enough to hold a horse and buggy (which was later sold at Booth's request by Spangler, I believe).

Right on, Dennis. Here is what Spangler wrote in the statement Dr. Mudd found in Spangler's tool chest shortly after his death:

"On the Monday evening previous to the assassination, Booth requested me to sell the horse, harness, and buggy, as he said he should leave the city soon. I took them the next morning to the horse market, and had them put up at auction, with the instruction not to sell unless they would net two hundred and sixty dollars; this was in accordance with Booth's orders to me. As no person bid sufficient to make them net that amount, they were not sold, and I took them back to the stable. I informed Booth of the result that same evening in front of the theater. He replied that he must then try and have them sold at private sale, and asked me if I would help him. I replied, "Yes." This was about six o'clock in the evening, and the conversation took place in the presence of John F. Sleichman and others. The next day I sold them for two hundred and sixty dollars. The purchaser accompanied me to the theater. Booth was not in, and the money was paid to James J. Gifford, who receipted for it. I did not see Booth to speak to him, after the sale, until the evening of the assassination."

Thanks, Roger. I do remember reading that statement of Spangler. Thanks for reminding me from whence it came. Hard for me in my old age to remember where I read some of this cool stuff. Too bad we don't know what kind of buggy it was. For $260 it must have been pretty decent and large enough to carry the kidnapped Lincoln on the floor.