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Booth's BELT
06-30-2013, 10:22 PM
Post: #1
Booth's BELT
A short time ago, there was a conversation about how Booth carried two pistols , etc. While looking for any mention of Wardell, by Baker in "The History of the U. S. Secret Service" I ran across Baker's version of Conger's report on the death of Booth. (Pg 540). Baker said that Conger reported to him and gave him the articles found on Booth's body. - "two pistols, his BELT, knife and compass, also his pipe and diary". That answers one of our doubts. (Plus: I never knew that Booth smoked a pipe.)
Throughout this chapter, Baker never mentions any effort to take pictures.
P.S There was no mention of Wardell. He did have a Woodall. Was his spelling correct? He usually refers to his agents as "Mr._______." or by Initials.
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01-18-2015, 11:43 PM
Post: #2
RE: Booth's BELT
A belt? That's interesting. I think men wore suspenders in that era.

Bill Nash
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01-19-2015, 01:09 AM
Post: #3
RE: Booth's BELT
(06-30-2013 10:22 PM)SSlater Wrote:  I never knew that Booth smoked a pipe."
We once discussed his meerschaum pipe:
http://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussio...meerschaum

As for the belt, at least the uniforms had belts. BTW, Mark Twain received a patent for "Adjustable and Detachable Straps for Garments" (=suspenders) in 1871.
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01-19-2015, 08:37 AM (This post was last modified: 01-19-2015 08:39 AM by BettyO.)
Post: #4
RE: Booth's BELT
Belts were mostly utilitarian. Gents wore suspenders. Belts were not worn to hold up trousers; there were gun belts to hold holsters, pistol cartridge/cap containers, sabers, etc. for the military. Even westerners wore gun belts; all men wore suspenders as a part of their "undergarments!" They usually were not allowed to be shown and were covered with their vest (waistcoat) and/or coat.

"The Past is a foreign country...they do things differently there" - L. P. Hartley
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01-19-2015, 08:40 AM
Post: #5
RE: Booth's BELT
Eva and Betty: thanks for the clarification. That's what i was thinking. So Booth had a gun belt perhaps.

Bill Nash
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01-19-2015, 10:20 AM
Post: #6
RE: Booth's BELT
Booth's holsters have slots on the back to slip a belt through. Only way to carry such heavy (nearly 2 pounds each) revolvers.
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01-19-2015, 08:22 PM
Post: #7
RE: Booth's BELT
I do believe that the reference to a belt does refer to a gunbelt. Hence the reference to a "brace" of revolvers. The guns secured in holsters on a gunbelt.......I think.
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