Spangler's Ghost Writer

[Rsmyth]

Some observations:
It took the Florida a week to arrive at Fort Jefferson, July 24th. The first recorded letter full of prose from Spangler was printed in the paper on September 3rd.
Another article carried the following:
On the following day the Florida left for Key West to coal, Spangler sending to Mr. Ford, by Captain Dutton, a message to the effect that he (Spangler) was innocent.
So possibly was "Friend" Mr. Ford? Spangler says he drank in his bar. Did Ford own a bar?
The next letter dated Sept. 15, 1865 was penned in a decidedly different style as was one written two years later on Sept 6, 1867.
So, was the first letter to "Friend" (Mr. Ford?) written on the Florida while Spangler was in irons by one of the soldiers or crew?

[Laurie Verge]

Some of you have probably noticed the discrepancies in the spelling of some of the conspirators' names. Over the years, the Surratt Society has worked diligently to give proper spellings according to FAMILY records.

Louis Weichmann's original family spelling was "Wiechmann," and the family retained that. Louis, however, said that, during the 1865 trial, newspapers persisted in transposing the i and the e, so he gave up and adopted the latter form rather than having to continually correct it.

Lewis Powell used the alias of "Paine," and his Oath of Allegiance in the National Archives bears his signature with that spelling. Prosecutors tried to show a relationship between the young conspirator and the marauding Paynes of Kentucky, so they deliberately changed the spelling of the alias to "Payne," and that is the name under which he was indicted. Some modern historians prefer the "Payne" spelling because Powell had stayed briefly with the family of Gen. W.H.F. Payne in Virginia, and they theorize that it was that family's name that he was assuming.

Michael O'Laughlen's name is spelled this way (with an "a" - not an "o" - and an "e" - not an "i" in family records, including the family Bible. The stone over his grave, erected by the family, bears that spelling. There are also letters written to Mike and his brother, William, by JWB with that spelling. Again, the government changed the spelling on his indictment by replacing the "e" with an "i." They did not change the "a," however. The family still spells it "O'Laughlen."

Edman Spangler ("Ned") spelled his first name this way even though his birth record shows "Edmund." To further confuse things, the government indicted him as "Edward Spangler," and that became the most common one in books.

As for "Surratt," it has become fairly standardized now. However, in family papers, government records, etc., we have found at least seven different spellings over the past 300 years. These range from Sarat, Cerat, Sarratt, Sirat, to Surratt. The name was originally French, and there are still areas in France near the Spanish border with a variety of these spellings - even a town known as Montserratt. A French archivist told us that the "Surratt" spelling was Americanized because the "u" would never stand alone without an "e" -- "Seurratt."

Memorize these; you will be tested...

[RJNorton]

Laurie, please make it multiple choice, not essay.

In the John T. Ford Manuscript Collection there are a couple of statements by Spangler. They are listed a little over half way down the page here.

Does anyone know anything about these statements?

[John E.]

(10-16-2012 12:53 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  Laurie, please make it multiple choice, not essay.

In the John T. Ford Manuscript Collection there are a couple of statements by Spangler. They are listed a little over half way down the page here.

Does anyone know anything about these statements?

Hi Roger, I have copies of those statements somewhere from my research trip to the MHS. One is a hand-written account of Spangler's arrest and confinement and I believe the other is typed. I think Ford recorded them as Spangler dictated. I'll see if I can hunt them down.

[RJNorton]

Many thanks, John. I did not know Spangler had made these statements.

[John E.]

(10-16-2012 01:59 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  Many thanks, John. I did not know Spangler had made these statements.

Ok, I went back and reviewed my copies of Spangler's statements. It looks like he actually wrote these himself. The punctuation is bad again but his spelling is a little better. Perhaps he got some help ?

In one set of papers, it looks as though Ford wrote what Spangler dictated to him. The text is intermingled in different "person" accounts. In some places, Ford writes "I" went with Peanut John and in others he writes "Spangler" went back to the theater...etc.

There is no new information in these documents that isn't public already except for one thing. Spangler acknowledges that while at Ft. Jefferson he was made to wear manacles on his hands and feet as a direct result of Dr. Mudd's escape attempt.

Sam Arnold chose to blame the bindings on the folks in Washington who wished to make a spectacle of the conspirators. He was seriously paranoid.

[LincolnMan]

Look up in the welken- its a bird, no, its a plane, no, its Spanglerman!
Sorry folks, just playing with the word.

[Gene C]

(10-16-2012 04:20 PM)John E. Wrote:  Sam Arnold chose to blame the bindings on the folks in Washington who wished to make a spectacle of the conspirators. He was seriously paranoid.

Not if he was right!
I think he thought he deserved to be treated better because he believed he fully cooperated with authorities (except he would not implicate the Confederate Govenment)

[BettyO]

(10-16-2012 04:52 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Look up in the welken- its a bird, no, its a plane, no, its Spanglerman!
Sorry folks, just playing with the word.

Sorry folks, But I just couldn't resist --

"Look! It's a bird, it's a balloon, No --- it's Spanglerman!!

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[LincolnMan]

Oh Betty you've outdone yourself! I can't stop laughing!!!

[BettyO]

(10-16-2012 07:58 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Oh Betty you've outdone yourself! I can't stop laughing!!!

He's flying over Fort Leslie J. McNair (the Old Arsenal)....

[LincolnMan]

I bet he is!

[Rsmyth]

Betty, I have complemented your Photoshop skills before, but now you have outdone yourself!

[BettyO]

Thanks, Rich! When I read what Bill had written -- I just HAD to do it!

[Laurie Verge]

Would you guys please stop encouraging her!!!! Just kidding - not only is she a talented techie, she's also got a great sense of humor.