Andrew Johnson - Mistress

[L Verge]

(11-18-2017 06:11 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Was the suicide attempt real or fake? Jenny once posted:

The Evening Star of April 15, 1865, pg. 2, Col. 6 gives details: "THE MISTRESS OF BOOTH ATTEMPTS TO COMMIT SUICIDE. Ella Turner [no idea where that came from unless she adopted her sister's technique of taking a different last name], the mistress of John Wilkes Booth, No. 62 Ohio Avenue, attempted to commit suicide this morning by taking chloroform. About 11 o'clock, some of the inmates of the house entered Ella's room and found her lying upon the bed apparently sleeping. Efforts to rouse her proved fruitless, several physicians were called in, when it was discovered that she had taken chloroform. The proper remedies were immediately applied, when Ella soon revived and asked for Booth's picture, which she had concealed under the pillow of her bed, at the same time remarking to the physicians that she did not thank them for saving her life. The house No. 62 Ohio avenue is kept by Ella Turner's sister.

The term "taking" chloroform is somewhat confusing since it is (and always has been?) inhaled.

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(11-17-2017 09:03 PM)JMadonna Wrote:  1.Johnson may have had many drinking friends, but how public were they when imbibing? Especially after his fiasco at the inauguration, I would think the VP would avoid any public drinking displays - more reason to stay home.

----I would think so too but he managed to get sloshed just before taking the presidential oath that morning. He definitely had an alcohol problem.

2. I believe that the accepted standard of the day in such matters was to go to brothels, away from the public eye and where the "inmates" (as they were called) knew to keep their mouths shut.

-----That's true but rank has its privileges and as a favor to Booth (plus something extra for her travel) it could definitely be arranged.

-----Thanks to Roger for his post. I was not aware that Booth met with Ella a few hours before the assassination. That certainly strengthens my case.

3. I forget from your book - do you think Stringfellow worked with Johnson to undermine the government?

---No way. Johnson was an ignorant racist but he wasn't stupid.

* I have no idea where you picked up the idea that I thought Washington was prim and proper.

---Because of your position that Booth wouldn't put Ella in harms way. Its sweet. Kind of like the 'hooker with a heart of gold' cliche.

---The only woman Booth would not put in harms way was probably his mother. But if she was sitting next to Lincoln, I have no doubt he still would have pulled the trigger

* Politically, however, it may likely be a worse cesspool in 2017 than it was in 1865.

--- That depends if you would prefer Physical Assassination to Character Assassination.

"-----Thanks to Roger for his post. I was not aware that Booth met with Ella a few hours before the assassination. That certainly strengthens my case."

Not sure how reliable that second-hand information from "an informant" in a newspaper account is. Is there any corroborating statement elsewhere? Does Loux mention this? I'm posting from home and the book is at work.