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BettyO · (This post was last modified: 08-21-2012 10:05 AM by BettyO.)

Lew Powell supposedly suffered from constipation for just about a month or so. Probable causes were more than likely the food served, which according to Hartranft's Letter Book was boiled beef, beef soup, coffee, water and bread three times a day. In addition to diet, emotional and psychological stress was also a strong issue here I would think; probably the leading cause, if that's possible. (Blaine, we need you to chime in here!!)

Powell had told his guard that he had never been constipated before he was in prison.

Young Lew was supposedly treated repeatedly with "Blue Mass" -- the primary medicine used as a "cure all for all ills" as well as I also read, Castor Oil. All to no avail...

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Gene C · (This post was last modified: 08-21-2012 02:22 PM by Gene C.)

Considering the prison diet, the mental stress he was under, it is not surprising that he had some kind of physical problems. (It looks like BettyO and I posted at the same time. Great minds think alike.)

In Sam Arnolds book "Memoirs of a Lincoln Conspirator", he indicated during his imprisonment during the trial, that a guard offered to help so he could eat his food (fed him) due to the lilly irons on his hands and the small hood opening for his mouth.

LincolnMan · 08-21-2012, 10:07 AM

Wow, good ole' "Blue Mass"-even Lincoln took it for a time. Nothing like a little Mercury poisoning!

BettyO · (This post was last modified: 08-21-2012 10:45 AM by BettyO.)

OK gang....time for a little <ahem!> levity....

Years ago, I drew this cartoon for Joan, Laurie and Messrs. Hall, Brennan and Keesler.

Mr. Hall LOVED these things - and he always got a big laugh out of them as did John Brennan AND Father Keesler.....

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RJNorton · 08-21-2012, 01:48 PM

Betty, my 8th graders got a big kick out of Lewis' problem during my mock trial unit. I had several copies of "Twenty Days" in my classroom, and his "issue" is mentioned in there. Believe me, kids who are 13/14 years old have an absolute fascination with this "issue." I felt inadequate as their teacher in giving much of an explanation; one time a kid asked about it front of the entire class, everyone started laughing, and so did I. Mostly, though, the kids would just ask about it in small groups after school.

LincolnMan · (This post was last modified: 08-21-2012 01:52 PM by LincolnMan.)

Well, Roger and others-you probably know that very early on in school the kids nowadays read Everybody Poops. Apparently, it's funny that Lew wasn't!

Love the cartoon!

BettyO · (This post was last modified: 08-21-2012 02:13 PM by BettyO.)

(08-21-2012 10:02 AM)Gene C Wrote: Considering the prison diet, the mental stress he was under, it is not surprising that he had some kind of physical problems. (It looks like BettyO and I posted at the same time. Great minds think alike.)

In Sam Arnolds book "Confessions of a Lincoln Conspirator", he indicated during his imprisonment during the trial, that a guard offered to help so he could eat his food (fed him) due to the lilly irons on his hands and the small hood opening for his mouth.

I have to agree, Gene. I have read an account of where Powell had to have his guard cut up his food (beef) for him so that he could eat it!

One can see in this photo of Powell, in addition to the lint from the hood, the food stains on his shirt!

Hoods and stiff shackles did not make for proper dining etiquette!

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LincolnMan · 08-21-2012, 02:50 PM

Man, he was a handsome fellow. They talk about Booth being himself but I think Lew has him beat by far! Wonder what my wife would say. I'll ask.

BettyO · (This post was last modified: 08-21-2012 06:23 PM by BettyO.)

(08-21-2012 02:50 PM)LincolnMan Wrote: Man, he was a handsome fellow. They talk about Booth being himself but I think Lew has him beat by far! Wonder what my wife would say. I'll ask.

Lew Powell has always appealed to me more - as a person. I think he was more handsome than Booth; at least to me. He has a more "modern" look. Both of his parents were very handsome people. His mother was a beauty and his dad was extremely handsome....so - I guess "pretty people" have "pretty kids!"

One thing I, as well as John Elliott and Barry Cauchon, noticed is that in this photo one can see that he DOES have a minor trace of a beard! He is so often described as a "big beardless boy" - but one does see the tracings of a mustache and chin whiskers in this photo -

Gene C · 08-21-2012, 02:58 PM

I don't know Bill, I would think those food stains on his shirt might be a turn off Smile

BettyO · 08-21-2012, 03:00 PM

(08-21-2012 02:58 PM)Gene C Wrote: I don't know Bill, I would think those food stains on his shirt might be a turn off

Not to mention this poor kid's teeth and breath! Sleepy

LincolnMan · 08-21-2012, 03:25 PM

True...but I bet he would've cleaned up well!

BettyO · (This post was last modified: 08-22-2012 06:59 AM by BettyO.)

(08-21-2012 03:25 PM)LincolnMan Wrote: True...but I bet he would've cleaned up well!

Oh, I'm sure he would have! Powell seemed to pride himself on being a "gentleman" (the Victorian young man's version of being "cool" today)....and stated as such a couple of times. He also seemed to be quite fastidious about his personal appearance - dental aspects aside.

But just think -- these guys were more or less NOT allowed to brush their teeth after each meal - for over three months?! YUK !!

LincolnMan · 08-22-2012, 07:53 AM

Speaking of such things-how did they use the privy? Were they allowed to bath? These things come to mind when you think of the conditions they faced in that old prison.

BettyO · (This post was last modified: 08-22-2012 08:26 AM by BettyO.)

(08-22-2012 07:53 AM)LincolnMan Wrote: Speaking of such things-how did they use the privy? Were they allowed to bath? These things come to mind when you think of the conditions they faced in that old prison.

They were given ONE bath that I know of -- right before the trial in an empty cell with a blanket over the door and an apparent portable tub. Sam Arnold mentioned that the water was cold as ice. What was particularly gross was that each man washed in the same water - all seven of them. They toweled off and where given clean clothing and underclothing. That is about the extent of their hygiene as far as I know. They were given cleaning clothing from time to time as Powell as well as Spangler appeared in different pants and shirts. Powell sometimes wearing a gray shirt, sometimes the blue Navy undershirt, and another time with a collar stud and collar as well as the blue Navy pants and occasionally a black pair of trousers as well. Spangler would appear in a gray shirt and another time in a purple shirt!

Their laundry lists are also in Hartranft's book. Washing of clothing was done approximately once a week. Whether this also signified that they were allowed baths is not recorded. The clothing was therefore fresh, even if their bodies were NOT. Sounds disgusting to put fresh clothing on hot, sweaty bodies.... their hair was also cut at least twice and they were shaved- once at the beginning of June and then again on July 4.

I don't know about the other. Apparently they had slop pails.