Could John Have Spared Mary

[RJNorton]

Jim, I send you a great big THANK YOU. In my old age I have come to the belief that Mary was not only knowledgeable of the kidnap plot but may have known about the assassination plot as well. I did not feel this way until I read Kate Larson's book which convinced me Mary conceivably knew Booth was going to shoot Lincoln. Mary's behavior on April 14th is suspect in many particulars, including her strange behavior after the 9:00 P.M. visitor (JWB) departed. Additionally, if Bill Richter is right, JWB stopped at Mary's boardinghouse to pick up pistols and a hat as he fled Washington. This would have taken place after Mary inexplicably chased everyone to their rooms. If Jerry Madonna is right Mary may have known about the possibility of passes Andrew Johnson had issued Booth and Herold to get out of town. Apparently she may have told Bingham this. In truth, I do feel she was an integral part of Booth's plot and very complicit with it. Just my opinion.