Clara Harris's Bloody Dress

[Rsmyth]

Laura Keene being in the box is central to the story of The Lincoln Flag. If it is proved she was not present then that casts doubt on Jeannie Gourlay's statement that her father, Thomas, led her to the box and after, collected the flag.
Re-reading previous posts Eva posed, would Mary have allowed Laura Keene to cradle her husbands head? What do others think? Was Mary too frantic to have noticed or would her wifely instincts have kicked in and taken her rightly place holding her husband's head?

[Rogerm]

I personally don't think that Mary Lincoln would have allowed another woman to cradle her husband's head like that.

[RJNorton]

(12-29-2013 09:39 AM)Rsmyth Wrote:  Laura Keene being in the box is central to the story of The Lincoln Flag. If it is proved she was not present then that casts doubt on Jeannie Gourlay's statement that her father, Thomas, led her to the box and after, collected the flag.

Rich, I think you make an excellent point regarding the Lincoln Flag. According to the Pike County Historical Society's website the likes of Joseph Garrera, Dr. Ed Steers, the late Michael Maione, Dr. Wayne Temple, and Frank Williams all concurred with the flag's provenance.

I don't know what to think as I also feel Eva and Roger M. make very logical points regarding Mary Lincoln.

[L Verge]

I don't know what to think either, but my question marks are based on: the propriety of a theater person (no matter her renown) taking such liberties in 1865, Mrs. Lincoln's acceptance of such a move, the doctors allowing since it was a head wound that they needed easy access to, the space available in the box to accommodate another person (especially one in voluminous skirts), and Miss Harris's denial that it happened.

I am inclined to think that Thomas Gourlay did lead Miss Keene to the box and that she likely provided water, but I have my suspicions as to whether or not she made it into the box, let alone cradling Lincoln's head. I don't dispute that there may be Lincoln's blood on the flag, but I just can't totally agree that it got there because of Miss Keene. I suspect that the flag may have been used by the doctors to elevate his head or to cover part of his exposed torso. I also suspect that there are probably two blood specimens on that flag - one for Lincoln and one for Rathbone.

[RJNorton]

(12-29-2013 07:34 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  I, too, still doubt she held Lincoln's head. It would be interesting to read that article from the "Clipper" to see if she stated such herself, and what exactly she reported.

Eva, I have not seen this article, and I hope someone can post it in its entirety. Here are some statements regarding Keene and the box that I can think of:

1. 1878 - Clara Harris denies Keene was ever in the box.
2. 1909 - Dr. Leale includes Keene in the group in the box.
3. 1930 - William J. Ferguson says it was he who led Keene to the box.
4. date unknown to me - Jeannie Gourlay said it was her father, Thomas Gourlay, who led Keene to the box.

In 1896 Seaton Munroe said he saw Keene and her blood-stained dress at the bottom of the stairs leading to the box.

[HerbS]

But,the question still remains-And that is why I was led to this forum years ago by-K.Larson.Is a majority of the blood on the Pike County Flag from Lincoln or Rathbone? How dare they charge $2000 to other Historical Societies to display it?

[Linda Anderson]

(12-30-2013 06:23 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Here are some statements regarding Keene and the box that I can think of:

1. 1878 - Clara Harris denies Keene was ever in the box.
2. 1909 - Dr. Leale includes Keene in the group in the box.
3. 1930 - William J. Ferguson says it was he who led Keene to the box.
4. date unknown to me - Jeannie Gourlay said it was her father, Thomas Gourlay, who led Keene to the box.

In 1896 Seaton Munroe said he saw Keene and her blood-stained dress at the bottom of the stairs leading to the box.

Add to that list a statement by Billy Otis who was Laura Keene's dresser on the night Lincoln was assassinated, in an August 22, 1879 article from the San Francisco Bulletin titled "An Actor's Prayer: A Curious Reminiscence of the American Stage."

"When the shot was fired he was in the act of buttoning Miss Keene's glove as she was preparing to go on the stage in bridal costume. At first mistaking the shot, she sent a request that the carpenters should not fire pistols during the acts, and then, when the truth became known, rushed to the washstand, saturated the whole front breadth of her magnificent bridal dress, which she wrung out in a vain attempt to resuscitate the unconscious victim."

[L Verge]

I believe that one of the problems with Lincoln's wound was that it did not bleed that much and that the doctors were having to remove clots to stop the pressure on the brain. Me thinks Mr. Otis did elaborate a tad...

[Linda Anderson]

(12-30-2013 01:23 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I believe that one of the problems with Lincoln's wound was that it did not bleed that much and that the doctors were having to remove clots to stop the pressure on the brain. Me thinks Mr. Otis did elaborate a tad...

Mr. Otis does present an interesting, but not too likely, picture of Laura Keene wringing out her soaking wet bridal dress like a rain shower over the unconscious Lincoln.

[BettyO]

Otis' rendition does sound a bit melodramatic to me as well - I agree - probably more than a tad bit of stretching the proverbial truth!

[L Verge]

Seaton Munroe's accounts might be spurious also. Isn't he the man who accompanied Mudd to the Dry Tortugas and claimed that Mudd confessed to him on board the ship? The Mudd family has always rejected that claim.

[RJNorton]

Laurie, I do not know about Seaton Munroe, but here is what George W. Dutton wrote:

***************************************

Camp Fry, Washington, D.C.
August 22,1865.

Brig. Gen. Joseph Holt,
Judge Advocate General, U. S. A.:

Sir - I am in receipt of your communication of this date, in which you request information as regards the truthfulness of certain statements and confessions reported to have been made by Dr. Mudd while under my charge, en route to the Dry Tortugas.

In reply, I have the honor to state that my duties required me to be constantly with the prisoners, and during a conversation with Dr. Mudd, on the 22nd of July, he confessed that he knew Booth when he came to his house with Herold, on the morning after the assassination of the President; that he had known Booth for some time but was afraid to tell of his having been at his house on the 15th of April fearing that his own and the lives of his family would be endangered thereby. He also confessed that he was with Booth at the National Hotel on the evening referred to by Weichmann in his testimony; and that he came to Washington on that occasion to meet Booth by appointment, who wished to be introduced to John Surratt; that when he and Booth were going to Mrs. Surratt's house to see John Surratt, they met, on Seventh street, John Surratt, who was introduced to Booth, and they had a conversation of a private nature. I will here add that Dr. Mudd had with him a printed copy of the testimony pertaining to his trial, and I had, upon a number of occasions, referred to the same. I will also state that this confession was voluntary, and made without solicitation, threat or promise, and was made after the destination of the prisoners was communicated to them, which communication affected Dr. Mudd more than the rest; and he frequently exclaimed, "Oh, there is now no hope for me." "Oh, I can not live in such a place."

Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.

I am General, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
George W. Dutton
Capt. Co. C, 10th Reg't. V. R. C., com'dg. Guard.

***********************************

Dr Mudd replied as follows:



August 28, 1865

1st. That I confessed to having known Booth while in my house; was afraid to give information of the fact, fearing to endanger my life, or made use of any language in that connection - I positively and emphatically declare to be notoriously false.

2nd. That I was satisfied and willingly acquiesced in the wisdom and decision of the Military Commission who tried me, is again notoriously erroneous and false. On the contrary I charged it (the Commission) with irregularity, injustice, usurpation, and illegality. I confess to being animated at the time but have no recollection of having apologized.

3rd. I did confess to a casual or accidental meeting with Booth in front of one of the hotels on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D. C. on the 23d of December 1864, and not on the 15th of January, 1865, as testified to by Weichman. Booth, on that occasion desired me to give him an introduction to Surratt, from whom he said he wished to obtain a knowledge of the country around Washington, in order to be able to select a good locality for a country residence. He had the number, street, and name of John Surratt, written on a card, saying, to comply with his request would not detain me over five minutes. (At the time I was not aware that Surratt was a resident of Washington.) I declined at first, stating I was with a relative and friend from the country and was expecting some friends over from Baltimore, who intended going down with me to spend Christmas, and was by appointment expected to be at the Pennsylvania House by a certain hour - eight o'clock. We started down one street, and then up another, and had not gone far before we met Surratt and Weichman.

Introductions took place, and we turned back in the direction of the hotel. Arriving there, Booth insisted on our going to his room and taking something to drink with him, which I declined for reasons above mentioned; but finding that Weichman and Surratt were disposed to accept—I yielded, remarking, I could not remain many minutes. After arriving in the room, I took the first opportunity presented to apologize to Surratt for having introduced to him Booth—a man I knew so little concerning. This conversation took place in the passage in front of the room and was not over three minutes in duration. Whilst Surratt and myself were in the hall, Booth and Weichman were sitting on the sofa in a corner of the room looking over some Congressional documents. Surratt and myself returned and resumed our former seats (after taking drinks ordered), around a center table, which stood midway the room and distant seven or eight feet from Booth and Weichman. Booth remarked that he had been down in the country a few days before, and said he had not yet recovered from the fatigue. Afterward he said he had been down in Charles County and had made me an offer for the purchase of my land, which I confirmed by an affirmative answer; and he further remarked that on his way up he lost his way and rode several miles off the track. When he said this he left his seat and came over and took a seat immediately by Surratt; taking from his pocket an old letter, he began to draw lines, in order to ascertain from Surratt the location and description of the roads. I was a mere looker on. The conversation that took place could be distinctly heard to any part of the room by any one paying attention. There was nothing secret to my knowledge that took place, with the exception of the conversation of Surratt and myself, which I have before mentioned. I had no secret conversation with Booth, nor with Booth and Surratt together, as testified to by Weichman. I never volunteered any statement of Booth having made me an offer for the purchase of my land, but made an affirmative response only to what Booth said in that connection.

Booth's visit in November, 1864, to Charles County was for the purpose, as expressed by himself, to purchase land and horses; he was inquisitive concerning the political sentiments of the people, inquiring about the contraband trade that existed between the North and South, and wished to be informed about the roads bordering on the Potomac, which I declined doing. He spoke of his being an actor and having two other brothers, who also were actors. He spoke of Junius Brutus as being a good Republican. He said they were largely engaged in the oil business, and gave me a lengthy description of the theory of oil and the process of boring, etc. He said he had a younger brother in California. These and many minor matters spoken of caused me to suspect him to be a Government detective and to advise Surratt regarding him.

We were together in Booth's room about fifteen minutes, after which, at my invitation, they walked up to the Pennsylvania House, where the conversation that ensued between Weichman and myself as testified to by him is in the main correct - only that he, of the two, appeared the better Southern man, and undertook to give me facts from his office to substantiate his statements and opinions. This was but a short time after the defeat of Hood in Tennessee. The papers stated that over nine thousand prisoners had been taken, and that the whole of Hood's army was demoralized and falling back, and there was every prospect of his whole army being either captured or destroyed. To this Weichman replied that only four thousand prisoners had been ordered to be provided for by the Commissary-General, and that he was far from believing the defeat of Hood so disastrous. I spoke with sincerity, and said it was a blow from which the South never would be able to recover; and that the whole South then laid at the mercy of Sherman. Weichman seemed, whilst on the stand, to be disposed to give what he believed a truthful statement. I am in hopes the above will refresh his memory, and he will do me the justice, though late, to correct his erroneous testimony.

To recapitulate - I made use of no such statement as reported by the "Washington Correspondent of the New York Times," only in the sense and meaning as testified to by Dr. George D. Mudd, and as either misunderstood or misrepresented by Colonel Wells and others before the Commission.

I never saw Mrs. Surratt in my life to my knowledge previous to the assassination, and then only through her veil. I never saw Arnold, O'Loughlin, Atzerodt, Payne alias Powel, or Spangler - or ever heard their names mentioned previous to the assassination of the President. I never saw or heard of Booth after the 23d of December 1864, until after the assassination, and then he was in disguise. I did not know Booth whilst in my house, nor did I know Herold; neither of whom made himself known to me. And I further declare they did not make known to me their true destination before I left the house. They inquired the way to many places and desired particularly to go to the Rev. Mr. Wilmer's. I gave a full description of the two parties (whom I represented as suspicious) to Lieutenant Lovett and three other officers, on the Tuesday after the assassination.

I gave a description of one horse - the other I never took any notice of, and do not know to this day the color or appearance. Neither Booth's nor Herold's name was mentioned in connection with the assassination, nor was there any name mentioned on the Tuesday after the assassination, nor was there any name mentioned in connection with the assassination, nor was there any photograph exhibited of any one implicated in the infamous deed. I was merely called upon to give a description of the men and horses and the places they inquired. The evidence of the four detectives - Lovett, Gavacan, Lloyd, and Williams - conflict (unintentionally) vitally on this point; they evidently prove and disprove the fact as they have done in every instance affecting my interest, or upon points in which my welfare was at issue. Some swore that the photograph of Booth was exhibited on Tuesday, which was false. I do not advert to the false testimony; it is evident to the reader, and bears the impress of foul play and persecution somewhere - it may be owing to the thirst after the enormous reward offered by the Government, or a false idea for notoriety. Evans and Norton evidently swore falsely and perjured themselves. Daniel I. Thomas was bought by the detectives - likewise the negroes who swore against me. The court certainly must have seen that a great deal of the testimony was false and incompetent - upon this I charge them with injustice, etc.

Reverend Evans and Norton - I never saw nor heard their names in my life. I never knew, nor have I any knowledge whatsoever, of John Surratt ever visiting Richmond. I had not seen him previous to the 23d of December, 1864, for more than nine months. He was no visitor to my house.

The detectives, Lovett, Gavacan, Lloyd, and Williams, having failed to search my house or to make any inquiries whether the parties left anything behind on the Tuesday after the assassination, I myself did not think - consequently did not remind them. A day or two after their leaving, the boot that was cut from the injured man's leg by myself, was brought to our attention, and I resolved on sending it to the military authorities, but it escaped my memory and I was not reminded of its presence until the Friday after the assassination, when Lieutenant Lovett and the above parties, with a squad of cavalry, came again and asked for the razor the party shaved with. I was then reminded immediately of the boot and, without hesitation, I told them of it and the circumstances. I had never examined the inside of boot leg, consequently knew nothing about a name which was there contained. As soon as I handed the boot to Lieutenant Lovett, they examined and discovered the name "J. Wilkes"; they then handed me his photograph, and asked whether it bore any resemblance to the party, to which I said I would not be able to recognize that as the man (injured), but remarked that there was a resemblance about the eyes and hair. Herold's likeness was also handed me, and I could not see any resemblance, but I had described the horse upon which he rode, which, one of the detectives said, answered exactly to the one taken from one of the stables in Washington.

From the above facts and circumstances I was enabled to form a judgment, which I expressed without hesitation, and I said that I was convinced that the injured man was Booth, the same man who visited my house in November, 1864, and purchased a horse from my neighbor, George Gardiner. I said this because I thought my judgment in the matter was necessary to secure pursuit promptly of the assassins.

- Samuel A. Mudd

[ReignetteC]

(12-29-2013 03:25 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(12-29-2013 09:39 AM)Rsmyth Wrote:  Laura Keene being in the box is central to the story of The Lincoln Flag. If it is proved she was not present then that casts doubt on Jeannie Gourlay's statement that her father, Thomas, led her to the box and after, collected the flag.

Rich, I think you make an excellent point regarding the Lincoln Flag. According to the Pike County Historical Society's website the likes of Joseph Garrera, Dr. Ed Steers, the late Michael Maione, Dr. Wayne Temple, and Frank Williams all concurred with the flag's provenance.

I don't know what to think as I also feel Eva and Roger M. make very logical points regarding Mary Lincoln.

Each time I gaze at the Lincoln Flag (Pike County is a few miles away), I wonder the same thoughts about Mary Lincoln.

[RJNorton]

(12-29-2013 07:34 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  I, too, still doubt she held Lincoln's head. It would be interesting to read that article from the "Clipper" to see if she stated such herself, and what exactly she reported.

Eva, I found this statement in The life of Laura Keene: Actress, Artist, Manager and Scholar by John Creahan. I do not know if this is the exact same statement as in the article from the "Clipper," but if it's true that she made only one statement after the assassination then I think it's the same.

LAURA KEENE'S STATEMENT. "Prominent among those mentioned in connection with the incidents of the late tragical death of our worthy President is the name of Miss Laura Keene, the actress. In order to place her right in the history the following facts will suffice: Miss Keene was behind the scenes at the precise time of the shooting, waiting to come on the stage. She was near the place theatrically known as the tormentor. She was on the northern side of the theatre, while the President's box was on the southern side. Miss Keene's position was near the prompter's desk; but as that official was absent calling some of the actors she placed herself near the point where she could more readily enter upon her part. She was at the time expecting to see the ingress of Mr. Spear, whose part was at hand, and prepared herself to break his fall as he entered in a drunken scene; but instead of receiving Mr. Spear, Mr. Booth pushed his way suddenly through the side scene, striking Miss Keene on the hand with his own, in which he held a dagger. She for a second looked at him and saw it was another person from the one she expected, and instantaneously she heard the cry that the President was shot. The cry was spontaneous among the audience, and many of them were making for the stage. She then knew something was occurring, as women were screaming, men hallooing and children crying, as if a fire panic had taken place.

Miss Keene went to the front of the stage, and, addressing the bewildered audience, said: ' For God's sake, have presence of mind and keep your places, and all will be well.' " Notwithstanding this appeal the audience were boisterous, and while all seemed willing to detect the perpetrator of the great crime, but one made a move to this end. Scarcely had the perpetrator of the crime jumped from the President's box to the stage, than he was followed by Mr. Stewart, one of the auditors. As Mr. Booth crossed the stage he met and struck at the carpenter with the dagger he held, and instantaneously made his exit to the rear of the theatre, where his horse was in readiness, and thence made his escape. Miss Keene, after momentarily arresting the panic and consternation in the audience. heard the cry of Miss Harris, saying. ' Miss Keene. bring some water! ' Miss Keene responded to the call, made her way. which was rather circuitous, through the dress circle to the President's box. and got there a few moments alter the occurrence.

There she saw Mrs. Lincoln, in the agony of a devoted wife, uttering the most piteous cries.

Miss Keene attempted to pacify her - at the same time offering the good offices in her power: but she was convinced from her observation that human help was in vain. Miss Keene remained with the President until he was taken from the theatre. "

[Eva Elisabeth]

Great find, thanks Roger! IMO, "Miss Keene remained with the President until he was taken from the theatre" could also be a very expanded version of that she remained somewhere (outside the box) nearby after (perhaps) delivering the water. However, if she had held Lincoln's head, she sure would have told this here! Especially if the following was true - does anyone have an answer to this question:

(11-27-2013 07:32 PM)Hess1865 Wrote:  Didn't she show off her bloody dress onstage at several of her theater appearances over the next few weeks???