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05-15-2014, 11:37 AM,
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BettyO
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Posts: 3,596
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RE: Dr.Mary Walker-Conspiritor's reaction at the Trial!
As a country boy, Powell had probably never heard of or seen a woman dressed in the Bloomer costume. I would imagine that it was a novelty to him and therefore an object of amusement. As a preacher's son, he would have probably also thought that it was unseemly and demeaning to "Christian womanhood"; i.e. it was viewed in some circles as being "unnatural" and against what God had made one.
We of course, don't know if Herold or Atzerodt had ever seen this apparel before. Herold, being a city boy would more than likely have at least heard of it, if not seen it.
Bloomerism was considered somewhat "masculine" attire in that it resembled a gentleman's pants (however loose fitting and "blousey") and was greatly ridiculed both in the US as well as in Great Britian. Numerous cartoons, songs, poems, etc. were written, utilizing Bloomer dress as satire.
"The Past is a foreign country...they do things differently there" - L. P. Hartley
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05-15-2014, 11:43 AM,
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L Verge
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Posts: 9,092
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RE: Dr.Mary Walker-Conspiritor's reaction at the Trial!
Bill,
Dr. Mary Walker was a feminist before our society knew how to spell the word! She fought to get herself a medical degree, fought to be recognized as a doctor among her male colleagues, gave valuable service during the Civil War, was awarded the Medal of Honor (only to be told to give it back), and often chose to wear "masculine" attire, which caused her further grief. Herb has done a lot of work on Dr. Walker, so I hope he'll add to this.
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Dr.Mary Walker-Conspiritor's reaction at the Trial!
