Booth's Day on April 14

[Dennis Urban]

John did an admirable job on putting together the following timeline of Booth's activities on April 14. I don't know that I have see such a timeline previously. From my own reference library, I am endeavoring to add specific times to some of the observations. My love of the small details of history sometimes takes over my thinking. Below is what John wrote some time ago.

On the 14th he is reported to have:
1. Written to his mother at 2:00 am (no one knows where);
2. Had breakfast at the National;
3. Gone to the boarding house at least three times;
4. Gone to the theater to pick up his mail at about noon, sat and read a letter and chatted with Harry Ford.
5. Reserved a horse at Pumphrey's Stable;
6. Had lunch at Willard's with three men, probably Herold, Powell and Atzerodt, and eavesdropped on Julia Grant;
7. Picked up his rented horse at Pumphrey's;
8. Talked with John Mathew's on Pennsylvania Avenue about 4:00;
9. Made a ride-by past the Grants' carriage and then doubled back for a second ride-by;
10. Returned to Willard's to determine where the Grants were going;
11. Some time during the day, sent Herold, with a card, up to Johnson's room at the Kirkwood, and then, upon being advised by Herold that Johnson was in, visited his room to determine his whereabouts that evening, but was rebuffed by Johnson, who said he was too busy to see him, whereupon, being personally piqued, he left the card in Browning's box for the purpose of implicating Johnson;
12. Stabled his rented horse behind the theater;
13. Met with Herold, Atzerodt and Powell at the Herndon House, for about an hour, from 8 to 9 pm.
14. Taken his horse to the theater at about 9:30.
15. Taken a drink at the Star.
16. Shot the President at about 10:30.

I realize that some times will be in dispute among sources, however some additional accuracy is possible. What I am having the most trouble with is #3, the number of times and exactly when Booth went to the "boarding house" assuming John meant Surratt's. John will surely see this post so I suspect he can set me straight. If others can fill in times, so much the better. Should make for an interesting thread. I have already added some to my own list.

Finally, it's pretty clear the doors to Box 7 & 8 opening inward. The theatre party entered through the door to 8. Booth entered through the door to 7. When he was in the theatre making the modification to secure the door from the dress circle into the passageway, he must have been overjoyed to find the peephole to allow observation of the party. Ford said Booth did not drill the hole. Imagine if Booth could not see into the boxes to know the position of Lincoln. He would be operating blindly and may have lost the opportunity for surprise by entering through a door farther from his target or he could have opened the door striking Lincoln's rocker. History could have been changed dramatically.

[RJNorton]

(12-29-2016 09:36 PM)Dennis Urban Wrote:  What I am having the most trouble with is #3, the number of times and exactly when Booth went to the "boarding house" assuming John meant Surratt's.

Hi Dennis. In previous discussions we have argued whether Booth made 2, 3, or even 4 visits to Mary's boardinghouse on April 14th. Personally I agree with John that it was (at least) 3...once in the late morning, once in the afternoon, and once about 9 P.M. Mary Surratt had told Weichmann in the buggy that she had to be back by 9 as she was expecting a visitor. Weichmann asked if it was Booth, and she wouldn’t say. But the visitor came. Who was he? In his book Weichmann argues that it was Booth.

Opinion on the forum was divided regarding this third visit.

Regarding a possible 4th visit (after the assassination as Booth was riding away from Ford's Theatre)...Bill Richter makes this assertion in Last Confederate Heroes. Over four years ago we had a long debate on the possibility of this visit here. Again, opinion was divided.

As to the timing of the visits - here is what Art Loux says in John Wilkes Booth: Day by Day:

1. First visit - this occurred in the late morning prior to Booth's arrival at Ford's (which was just before noon). Art writes that Booth went to the boardinghouse, then perhaps walked to the Herndon House to see Powell, then continued on to Ford's.

2. Second visit - about 2:30 P.M.

3. Third visit - Art writes, "At 9 p.m., according to Weichmann, Booth visited Mary Surratt, perhaps to confirm that she had seen Lloyd and delivered his binoculars."

As far as I can tell Booth's third visit depends totally on Weichmann's word (and he quotes Anna Surratt for his verification). I do not think there is any other source for this possible visit.

[Dennis Urban]

(12-30-2016 06:01 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(12-29-2016 09:36 PM)Dennis Urban Wrote:  What I am having the most trouble with is #3, the number of times and exactly when Booth went to the "boarding house" assuming John meant Surratt's.

Hi Dennis. In previous discussions we have argued whether Booth made 2, 3, or even 4 visits to Mary's boardinghouse on April 14th. Personally I agree with John that it was (at least) 3...once in the late morning, once in the afternoon, and once about 9 P.M. Mary Surratt had told Weichmann in the buggy that she had to be back by 9 as she was expecting a visitor. Weichmann asked if it was Booth, and she wouldn’t say. But the visitor came. Who was he? In his book Weichmann argues that it was Booth.

Opinion on the forum was divided regarding this third visit.

Regarding a possible 4th visit (after the assassination as Booth was riding away from Ford's Theatre)...Bill Richter makes this assertion in Last Confederate Heroes. Over four years ago we had a long debate on the possibility of this visit here. Again, opinion was divided.

As to the timing of the visits - here is what Art Loux says in John Wilkes Booth: Day by Day:

1. First visit - this occurred in the late morning prior to Booth's arrival at Ford's (which was just before noon). Art writes that Booth went to the boardinghouse, then perhaps walked to the Herndon House to see Powell, then continued on to Ford's.

2. Second visit - about 2:30 P.M.

3. Third visit - Art writes, "At 9 p.m., according to Weichmann, Booth visited Mary Surratt, perhaps to confirm that she had seen Lloyd and delivered his binoculars."

As far as I can tell Booth's third visit depends totally on Weichmann's word (and he quotes Anna Surratt for his verification). I do not think there is any other source for this possible visit.

Thanks Roger. I do not have Art's book. It is on my list to obtain. I was aware of the early PM visit and the Weichmann disputed visit which I believe to be accurate. The AM visit is the new one to me. I realize that Art did massive research over many years and I take his findings to be as accurate as possible. I do not subscribe to the fourth visit theory. Booth was frightened, anxious about making his escape, and probably paranoid. I doubt he would have made such a late visit and on his way out of town and even a few blocks out of his way; too great a possibility of not making his escape. I will read that previous discussion. Thanks much.

[John Fazio]

(12-29-2016 09:36 PM)Dennis Urban Wrote:  John did an admirable job on putting together the following timeline of Booth's activities on April 14. I don't know that I have see such a timeline previously. From my own reference library, I am endeavoring to add specific times to some of the observations. My love of the small details of history sometimes takes over my thinking. Below is what John wrote some time ago.

On the 14th he is reported to have:
1. Written to his mother at 2:00 am (no one knows where);
2. Had breakfast at the National;
3. Gone to the boarding house at least three times;
4. Gone to the theater to pick up his mail at about noon, sat and read a letter and chatted with Harry Ford.
5. Reserved a horse at Pumphrey's Stable;
6. Had lunch at Willard's with three men, probably Herold, Powell and Atzerodt, and eavesdropped on Julia Grant;
7. Picked up his rented horse at Pumphrey's;
8. Talked with John Mathew's on Pennsylvania Avenue about 4:00;
9. Made a ride-by past the Grants' carriage and then doubled back for a second ride-by;
10. Returned to Willard's to determine where the Grants were going;
11. Some time during the day, sent Herold, with a card, up to Johnson's room at the Kirkwood, and then, upon being advised by Herold that Johnson was in, visited his room to determine his whereabouts that evening, but was rebuffed by Johnson, who said he was too busy to see him, whereupon, being personally piqued, he left the card in Browning's box for the purpose of implicating Johnson;
12. Stabled his rented horse behind the theater;
13. Met with Herold, Atzerodt and Powell at the Herndon House, for about an hour, from 8 to 9 pm.
14. Taken his horse to the theater at about 9:30.
15. Taken a drink at the Star.
16. Shot the President at about 10:30.

I realize that some times will be in dispute among sources, however some additional accuracy is possible. What I am having the most trouble with is #3, the number of times and exactly when Booth went to the "boarding house" assuming John meant Surratt's. John will surely see this post so I suspect he can set me straight. If others can fill in times, so much the better. Should make for an interesting thread. I have already added some to my own list.

Finally, it's pretty clear the doors to Box 7 & 8 opening inward. The theatre party entered through the door to 8. Booth entered through the door to 7. When he was in the theatre making the modification to secure the door from the dress circle into the passageway, he must have been overjoyed to find the peephole to allow observation of the party. Ford said Booth did not drill the hole. Imagine if Booth could not see into the boxes to know the position of Lincoln. He would be operating blindly and may have lost the opportunity for surprise by entering through a door farther from his target or he could have opened the door striking Lincoln's rocker. History could have been changed dramatically.

Dennis:

I believe that the evidence supports three visits. The first was a walk-over, when, ostensibly, he found out that she was going to the tavern. The second was when he came back with his field glasses and asked her to deliver them to Lloyd, with the message about the shooting irons. The third was after she returned, between eight thirty and nine.

I believe you will find that the evidence supports the conclusion that Booth entered the box through Box eight. Kauffman and Reck agree. See their books. See also Decapitating. Also, I believe you will find that the evidence supports the conclusion that Booth made the peephole in door no. seven, regardless of what Ford said. See Decapitating. There is a whole chapter on it. Also, Booth knew where Lincoln was by virtue of his dry run. See Decapitating.

Thank you.

John

[Wild Bill]

I believe that Fazio's three visits is correct

[RJNorton]

(12-30-2016 11:17 AM)Dennis Urban Wrote:  The AM visit is the new one to me.

I am hoping others may chime in on what I am about to say concerning this visit. I am not certain on this.

I do not know of an eyewitness to this visit. Weichmann worked a half day on the 14th and would not have been home when this visit allegedly took place. I think that there is an assumption that Booth came in the morning because Booth somehow knew that Mary was planning on going to Surrattsville that afternoon. Thus, at about 2:30 PM, he came with his package and message for Lloyd. So, I am thinking Booth's morning visit is more of a logical assumption than proven fact. I cannot think of "eyewitness evidence" for this visit.

[Susan Higginbotham]

(12-31-2016 03:57 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(12-30-2016 11:17 AM)Dennis Urban Wrote:  The AM visit is the new one to me.

I am hoping others may chime in on what I am about to say concerning this visit. I am not certain on this.

I do not know of an eyewitness to this visit. Weichmann worked a half day on the 14th and would not have been home when this visit allegedly took place. I think that there is an assumption that Booth came in the morning because Booth somehow knew that Mary was planning on going to Surrattsville that afternoon. Thus, at about 2:30 PM, he came with his package and message for Lloyd. So, I am thinking Booth's morning visit is more of a logical assumption than proven fact. I cannot think of "eyewitness evidence" for this visit.

Weichmann claimed in his book that he believed from a remark that Mrs. Holohan had made that Booth had paid a morning visit.

Mary, however, wouldn't have known until Weichmann came home from work early that he was going to be able to take her to Surrattsville that afternoon, unless she had made plans to get there by other means and changed them when she learned of the half-holiday Stanton had granted the clerks.

[RJNorton]

Thanks, Susan!

[Dennis Urban]

(12-30-2016 09:33 PM)John Fazio Wrote:  

(12-29-2016 09:36 PM)Dennis Urban Wrote:  John did an admirable job on putting together the following timeline of Booth's activities on April 14. I don't know that I have see such a timeline previously. From my own reference library, I am endeavoring to add specific times to some of the observations. My love of the small details of history sometimes takes over my thinking. Below is what John wrote some time ago.

On the 14th he is reported to have:
1. Written to his mother at 2:00 am (no one knows where);
2. Had breakfast at the National;
3. Gone to the boarding house at least three times;
4. Gone to the theater to pick up his mail at about noon, sat and read a letter and chatted with Harry Ford.
5. Reserved a horse at Pumphrey's Stable;
6. Had lunch at Willard's with three men, probably Herold, Powell and Atzerodt, and eavesdropped on Julia Grant;
7. Picked up his rented horse at Pumphrey's;
8. Talked with John Mathew's on Pennsylvania Avenue about 4:00;
9. Made a ride-by past the Grants' carriage and then doubled back for a second ride-by;
10. Returned to Willard's to determine where the Grants were going;
11. Some time during the day, sent Herold, with a card, up to Johnson's room at the Kirkwood, and then, upon being advised by Herold that Johnson was in, visited his room to determine his whereabouts that evening, but was rebuffed by Johnson, who said he was too busy to see him, whereupon, being personally piqued, he left the card in Browning's box for the purpose of implicating Johnson;
12. Stabled his rented horse behind the theater;
13. Met with Herold, Atzerodt and Powell at the Herndon House, for about an hour, from 8 to 9 pm.
14. Taken his horse to the theater at about 9:30.
15. Taken a drink at the Star.
16. Shot the President at about 10:30.

I realize that some times will be in dispute among sources, however some additional accuracy is possible. What I am having the most trouble with is #3, the number of times and exactly when Booth went to the "boarding house" assuming John meant Surratt's. John will surely see this post so I suspect he can set me straight. If others can fill in times, so much the better. Should make for an interesting thread. I have already added some to my own list.

Finally, it's pretty clear the doors to Box 7 & 8 opening inward. The theatre party entered through the door to 8. Booth entered through the door to 7. When he was in the theatre making the modification to secure the door from the dress circle into the passageway, he must have been overjoyed to find the peephole to allow observation of the party. Ford said Booth did not drill the hole. Imagine if Booth could not see into the boxes to know the position of Lincoln. He would be operating blindly and may have lost the opportunity for surprise by entering through a door farther from his target or he could have opened the door striking Lincoln's rocker. History could have been changed dramatically.

Dennis:

I believe that the evidence supports three visits. The first was a walk-over, when, ostensibly, he found out that she was going to the tavern. The second was when he came back with his field glasses and asked her to deliver them to Lloyd, with the message about the shooting irons. The third was after she returned, between eight thirty and nine.

I believe you will find that the evidence supports the conclusion that Booth entered the box through Box eight. Kauffman and Reck agree. See their books. See also Decapitating. Also, I believe you will find that the evidence supports the conclusion that Booth made the peephole in door no. seven, regardless of what Ford said. See Decapitating. There is a whole chapter on it. Also, Booth knew where Lincoln was by virtue of his dry run. See Decapitating.

Thank you.

John

John,
I do think it is completely plausible that JWB drilled/gauged the hole in door seven. Ford may have been protecting the reputation of his theatre by stating otherwise. However, I cannot see JWB entering the box through door into box eight. That door was east facing. JWB would, after checking Lincoln's seat location through the hole in door seven, walk two steps or so to door eight, enter, turn left and walk behind Rathbone, Harris and ML to get to Lincoln. I am unfamiliar, however, with the evidence of Kauffman and Reck. Let me know where I can find that and I'll check it out.

Dennis

[John Fazio]

(01-01-2017 06:41 PM)Dennis Urban Wrote:  

(12-30-2016 09:33 PM)John Fazio Wrote:  

(12-29-2016 09:36 PM)Dennis Urban Wrote:  John did an admirable job on putting together the following timeline of Booth's activities on April 14. I don't know that I have see such a timeline previously. From my own reference library, I am endeavoring to add specific times to some of the observations. My love of the small details of history sometimes takes over my thinking. Below is what John wrote some time ago.

On the 14th he is reported to have:
1. Written to his mother at 2:00 am (no one knows where);
2. Had breakfast at the National;
3. Gone to the boarding house at least three times;
4. Gone to the theater to pick up his mail at about noon, sat and read a letter and chatted with Harry Ford.
5. Reserved a horse at Pumphrey's Stable;
6. Had lunch at Willard's with three men, probably Herold, Powell and Atzerodt, and eavesdropped on Julia Grant;
7. Picked up his rented horse at Pumphrey's;
8. Talked with John Mathew's on Pennsylvania Avenue about 4:00;
9. Made a ride-by past the Grants' carriage and then doubled back for a second ride-by;
10. Returned to Willard's to determine where the Grants were going;
11. Some time during the day, sent Herold, with a card, up to Johnson's room at the Kirkwood, and then, upon being advised by Herold that Johnson was in, visited his room to determine his whereabouts that evening, but was rebuffed by Johnson, who said he was too busy to see him, whereupon, being personally piqued, he left the card in Browning's box for the purpose of implicating Johnson;
12. Stabled his rented horse behind the theater;
13. Met with Herold, Atzerodt and Powell at the Herndon House, for about an hour, from 8 to 9 pm.
14. Taken his horse to the theater at about 9:30.
15. Taken a drink at the Star.
16. Shot the President at about 10:30.

I realize that some times will be in dispute among sources, however some additional accuracy is possible. What I am having the most trouble with is #3, the number of times and exactly when Booth went to the "boarding house" assuming John meant Surratt's. John will surely see this post so I suspect he can set me straight. If others can fill in times, so much the better. Should make for an interesting thread. I have already added some to my own list.

Finally, it's pretty clear the doors to Box 7 & 8 opening inward. The theatre party entered through the door to 8. Booth entered through the door to 7. When he was in the theatre making the modification to secure the door from the dress circle into the passageway, he must have been overjoyed to find the peephole to allow observation of the party. Ford said Booth did not drill the hole. Imagine if Booth could not see into the boxes to know the position of Lincoln. He would be operating blindly and may have lost the opportunity for surprise by entering through a door farther from his target or he could have opened the door striking Lincoln's rocker. History could have been changed dramatically.

Dennis:

I believe that the evidence supports three visits. The first was a walk-over, when, ostensibly, he found out that she was going to the tavern. The second was when he came back with his field glasses and asked her to deliver them to Lloyd, with the message about the shooting irons. The third was after she returned, between eight thirty and nine.

I believe you will find that the evidence supports the conclusion that Booth entered the box through Box eight. Kauffman and Reck agree. See their books. See also Decapitating. Also, I believe you will find that the evidence supports the conclusion that Booth made the peephole in door no. seven, regardless of what Ford said. See Decapitating. There is a whole chapter on it. Also, Booth knew where Lincoln was by virtue of his dry run. See Decapitating.

Thank you.

John

John,
I do think it is completely plausible that JWB drilled/gauged the hole in door seven. Ford may have been protecting the reputation of his theatre by stating otherwise. However, I cannot see JWB entering the box through door into box eight. That door was east facing. JWB would, after checking Lincoln's seat location through the hole in door seven, walk two steps or so to door eight, enter, turn left and walk behind Rathbone, Harris and ML to get to Lincoln. I am unfamiliar, however, with the evidence of Kauffman and Reck. Let me know where I can find that and I'll check it out.

Dennis

Dennis:

Please see W. Emerson Reck, A. Lincoln: His Last 24 Hours, p. 100. See also Michael Kauffman, Door Number 7 or Door Number 8, The Surratt Courier, Vol. 33, No. 2 (February 2009). I believe you have the positions of the occupants of the box mixed up and not properly oriented relative to the location of the doors. See Decapitating, p. 195, 196.

John

[RJNorton]

Dennis, in addition to what John posted, Mike Kauffman explains why he feels Booth entered through door #8 on pages 44-45 of his book entitled In the Footsteps of An Assassin.

[Dennis Urban]

OK John and Roger, I am beginning to see the light (somewhat). Reck does not footnote his box entry information. I have just seen what Mike wrote in "Footsteps". I do not have the Courier article but it may be about the same as the "Footsteps" piece. There were also quite a few extra and empty chairs in the box. It appears that Booth had to pass in front of the occupied couch and between the couch and Mary to access the President. After the shot he would proceed to the right of Mary's chair an across the box #7 railing. Am I understanding this correctly?

[L Verge]

I'm not "seeing" what you're "seeing," Dennis. I think Joe Beckert once posted a good diagram from either the NPS or the restoration book.

I have not been to the box in years, but I don't think there is much space between doors 7 & 8. Booth entered door 8 behind Rathbone's settee, crossed behind Harris and MTL (maybe a distance of six feet?), and shot the President at close range. I think he then leaped over the railing to the right of Mrs. Lincoln. That's the only way I envision him striking the Washington litho or the flag on his way down.

[wpbinzel]

Dennis - In trying to track Booth's movements on April 14th, I think it is likely that he also visited Benjamin Barker's Pistol Gallery on the corner of 11th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. in the late afternoon or early evening. See: http://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussio...age-3.html

[SSlater]

I'm not up-to-date on this topic, but I do have a question. Didn't I read that Booth had a pocket full of wood chips, when he died?
My unfounded guess would say that he "saved the chip" from the peep-hole that he drilled in the door. He didn't want "chips" all over the floor that would draw attention to the peep hole.
Does anyone have another source for the "wood chips'?