More Bad News

[L Verge]

Many of us in the assassination field are very familiar with the name Art Loux. He has been a diligent researcher and author on John Wilkes Booth for many decades. His limited editions of John Wilkes Booth Day by Day are coveted by many.

I am sad to report that Art passed away this morning at his home in Kansas. He had just signed a contract with McFarland Publishing two days ago for an updated Day by Day. His daughter will carry through with the project.

More details when I learn them.

[Dave Taylor]

I'm so shocked and saddened by this news, Laurie. Art emailed me on Friday announcing his success at signing a contract with McFarland. I emailed him back with my congratulations and well wishes. I can't believe that he's gone.

[BettyO]

I, too am shocked and very saddened. Art was a fantastic researcher and meticulous historian. He was one of our "Original" Boothies and a vital part of the old Gang....

I just spoke with him on Saturday afternoon and he was so very excited about the publishing of his book -

He will be greatly missed.

[Rsmyth]

Oh no! We were just talking last week about Tom Bogar's book and Art was answering questions about Maggie Gourlay. I too am shocked and saddened. One of the premier assassination experts and researchers is gone.

[RJNorton]

Like Dave I exchanged messages with Art on Friday. He was so excited about the contract with McFarland. I feel a sense of overwhelming sadness and shock.

[BettyO]

For those who never had the pleasure of meeting Art, here are some photos showing Art in his prime at the grave of John Ford, Dent's Meadow, various other cemetery sites and in the coal bunker/cell at Fort McNair back in 1983 -

[L Verge]

The photo of Art walking along the shoreline was taken years ago at the foot of the cliff at Dent's Meadow, where the fugitives pushed off across the Potomac. I'm not sure that the other is of him at Dr. Mudd's cell at Fort Jefferson. I think I was with him when this photo was taken at Oak Hill Cemetery in D.C.'s Georgetown. He is emerging from the Carroll holding vault where Willie Lincoln had rested.

To me, Art has always been one of the unsung heroes of the Lincoln assassination field. His work on JWB Day by Day was outstanding, but more importantly, he was a friend and adviser to quite a few of us. He didn't toot his horn or beg for recognition, but the Class of the 1970s (and on) - as I like to refer to the gang who bonded together to be the first Booth buffs with united voices for recognition - knew that he could always be turned to as a resource and a friend.

His death has upset me even more because I'm tired of losing the good guys. My consolation is that Art is now having a great conversation with James O. Hall, John C. Brennan, Fr. Keesler, Bill Tidwell, and others who have beaten us to the Great Beyond. If he happens upon JWB, I hope that he can fill in some of the blanks. With the research that Art has already done, however, there aren't too many blanks...

Art's daughter is a historian and editor and will continue on with the publication of his updated book. He had just signed a contract last week with McFarland Publishing.

[Gene C]

I never got to meet Art, but I know he was a big contributor to the Find A Grave website

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi...d=46805063

His post on this discussion site were always informative and interesting. If someone could PM his address, I would like to send a sympathy card to his family.

[L Verge]

Gene - I have his address at work and will try to remember to send it to you when I return on Thursday.

Betty - I misread your description of Art being at Ft. McNair as being at Ft. Jefferson. You might be right, but there is also a similar photo of him emerging from the Carroll vault. Too many years to remember.

[barryssentials]

Hi all: Betty informed me of Art's passing yesterday morning. I knew Art through email only but he was a researcher with a huge heart. My deepest condolences to his family and to the wonderful people here who have known him for a long time. Last year, Art surprised me by sharing ALL of his Fort McNair research files with me. In response to my heartfelt thanks to him, he shared some words that I think many of us live by in the research community. It is this kind of example that shows how generous this man was with those of us who, new or old in the research community, can learn from. He was an exceptional mentor. This was what Art shared with me and I pass it forward now.
"In the 'old' days sharing was prevalent. Mike, Mr. Hall, John Brennan, Joe George, Richard Sloan and others shared whatever they found. I learned from Mr. Hall that the more one shares the more one learns.
Don't hesitate to ask when you run into a research need. My index will tell me quickly what I have and I will be glad to share if pertinent".

Art, you were a generous soul and you will be dearly missed.
Barry

[Wesley Harris]

I never met Art but exchanged a couple of emails with him. It's rare in an assassination conversation that Art's name isn't brought up. Unlikely there's anyone seriously into researching the assassination that wasn't mentored, encouraged, or assisted by Art in some way.

[L Verge]

"In the 'old' days sharing was prevalent. Mike, Mr. Hall, John Brennan, Joe George, Richard Sloan and others shared whatever they found. I learned from Mr. Hall that the more one shares the more one learns.
Don't hesitate to ask when you run into a research need. My index will tell me quickly what I have and I will be glad to share if pertinent"

I want to sincerely thank Barry for posting this quote from Art Loux. It is so typically Art and so true of the generation of researchers before us - and many fine ones in our field today - who were/are more interested in getting at the facts of history than in cut-throat competition.

Art's death has affected me greatly, and I can only hope that his legacy of sharing can be spread throughout our historical community. 2014 can be a wonderful year if we let go of personal egos and dislikes and concentrate on what is truly important - peace, friendship, and understanding (not necessarily agreeing, but understanding the viewpoints of others and what history has tried to teach us).

[BettyO]

Amen, Sister Laurie....

Barry did indeed characterize Art to a "T"! He was a marvelous friend, scholar and historian and will be greatly missed.

It's up to all of us to carry on the great traditions of our Great Teachers!

[Dave Taylor]

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansasc...fhid=18188

[BettyO]

Thanks ever so much for the link, Dave. I've looked all weekend for the notice -