The Assassin's Accomplice By Kate Clifford Larson

[Ashley Norman]

Tom,
You make a good point.
If they had documented more accuratly what went on we may have had a better understanding of what went on as well as a better understanding of exactly what was done. We know the good majority of what happened in her trial and the before and after affects of it but there are a few missing peices.

I don't doubt that Mary may have been "standoffish" for lack of a better word, when she responded to political matters. With that does she incriminate herself more by not saying weither she was for or against the President. It brings the question if we or they had known more of how she felt towards the president before being killed, would it have change the trial at all?

[Ashley Norman]

Off topic a bit but I noiced that from pictures Ive seen and watching the movie that the man they hired to play Lewis Payne in The conspiriter actually looks a lot like the actual Lewis Payne.
fun fact a guess what I could say.

[L Verge]

Tom,

Mrs. Surratt had a very rocky marriage, but it is hard for me to believe that she did not harbor feelings for the Confederacy with a son in that army and another running courier service for them - and a very vocal, Southern, slave-holding husband.

Her husband had trained the children well. He was always listed at the top of the suspected secessionists in the reports that were done in southern Prince George's County, and we know for a fact that Surratt Tavern was listed as a safe house on the Confederate espionage route that ran from the Northern Neck into Washington. As late as the last quarter of 1864, a report listed a variety of towns where agents could seek assistance -- note that I said "towns;" in the case of Surrattsville, it did not list the town, it specifically stated "Surratt's Tavern." Mr. Surratt had been dead for two years by that time - the oldest Surratt son, Isaac, had been gone since 1861, and John was clearly busy with Confederate business and seldom home. If Mary wasn't keeping the safe house, then it must have been young Anna.

I have said this before: I transcribed Mrs. Surratt's statement back in 1979, when we were publishing the conspirators' statements in book form to sell in the gift shop. It did not take me long to realize that this woman was very cool under fire. I had the distinct feeling that she had planned her answers in advance.

Also, Marylanders were the fault line (a very important one for the safety of D.C.). They disliked Lincoln, but most favored staying in the Union from the very beginning of the secession movement. That would have tempered the fire-eaters in the State of Maryland. Those who were not happy with a more moderate approach just went South...

Ashley: Surratt House Museum is in Clinton, Maryland, ten miles south of D.C. Our website is currently waiting a remake, but visit http://www.surratt.org for info.

[Ashley Norman]

Thank you for the site. And I that Mary was very calm under fire I believe rhe only time she was or showed any type of emotion was when Ana came to the trial for the first time aftr not seeing each other for some time due to trial regulations.

[BettyO]

(11-18-2012 06:17 PM)Ashley Norman Wrote:  Off topic a bit but I noiced that from pictures Ive seen and watching the movie that the man they hired to play Lewis Payne in The conspiriter actually looks a lot like the actual Lewis Payne.
fun fact a guess what I could say.

Hey Ashley -- 'fraid I have to disagree....maybe he looked like Powell from a distance - but up close; I'd have to say that Mr. Reedus was too old to play a 20-21 year old. He also had chin whiskers - something Mr. Powell did not possess much of at all. He was also much too short! Powell was about 6'2" tall - Mr. Reedus was about 5' 8" - 5' 10" tall.... It was really noticeable when the "boys" were on the gallows - Atzerodt and Herold are taller than Powell!

[Laurie Verge]

I have to agree with Betty. Norman Reedus, who portrayed Powell, was at the Ford's Theatre premiere of The Conspirator; and my daughter and I had the opportunity to meet and talk with him. I would say that 5'8" was his maximum height, and his facial features (without stage makeup) were very drawn and baggy. His likeness and that of Kevin Kline as Stanton without the trademark beard were two things that disturbed me with the movie -- didn't like Weichmann either.

P.S. Met and shook hands with Robert Redford, too. I would guess that he's no more than 5'8" or 9" also. James McAvoy is tiny. Actually, many of the females in the movie are taller than the men in real life (at least on the red carpet).

[Ashley Norman]

(11-19-2012 08:38 AM)BettyO Wrote:  

(11-18-2012 06:17 PM)Ashley Norman Wrote:  Off topic a bit but I noiced that from pictures Ive seen and watching the movie that the man they hired to play Lewis Payne in The conspiriter actually looks a lot like the actual Lewis Payne.
fun fact a guess what I could say.

Hey Ashley -- 'fraid I have to disagree....maybe he looked like Powell from a distance - but up close; I'd have to say that Mr. Reedus was too old to play a 20-21 year old. He also had chin whiskers - something Mr. Powell did not possess much of at all. He was also much too short! Powell was about 6'2" tall - Mr. Reedus was about 5' 8" - 5' 10" tall.... It was really noticeable when the "boys" were on the gallows - Atzerodt and Herold are taller than Powell!

I didnt see him close up on any of the pictures the movie briefly touch on him. your right he probably was a bit to old for the role I hadnt realized just how old he was. when he did the movie. but your right close up now that i look back he wasnt that close. like I said I hadnt really looked up the actor much or looked closely at the pictures.