Booth's visit to the Surratt Boarding House after the assassination

[Gene C]

Why have Mrs Surratt go to Surrattsville at all? It was Booth who paid for the carriage. To take the binoculars and see about a past due loan (as a ruse) and to let Loyd know to be ready with the guns and possibly check on Union calvary patrols in the area.

I think Booth planned to go to Virginia and David Herold was of some use, as he knew the area better. Were people waiting for him on the other side of the Potomic River to help in in VA, at least for the planned kidnapping? I personally think his chances of getting away would be better on board a fishing boat in a small town on the Chesapeake Bay like Solomons, and head for Bermuda. IMO, not much chance of getting away if he headed north to Canada. If the St. Albans raiders didn't fair well in Canada, Booth wouldn't either. Hiding Booth would be a whole lot different than hiding Surratt.