BettyO and Dr.Mary Walker

[HerbS]

After nearly a year,The Asst.Oswego,NY Historian e-mailed me.I asked if Mary Walker ever wrote about her being at The Trial and Execution of the Conspirators.He stated that she wasn't there and her Biographer knew nothing about it[Dept.Chair of English at U-Conn].I e-mailed him back,and told him to read"Alias Paine"pgs-132+143.Sure enough,he admitted his mistake and it will be noted!Great Reseach BettyO!

[BettyO]

Thanks, Herb!! But it was widely reported in the papers at the time that Dr. Walker came to the trial, seated herself right before the dock and the boys had a good giggling fit to see a lady dressed in slacks!

"Washington – June 6 – The Conspiracy trial was well attended today, the prominent spectators being Miss Anna Dickinson and Doctor (Mary) Walker – the bloomer costume of the latter amusing even the stoical giant known as Payne and making Harrold (sic) and he giggle indecorously." - Perley

Boston Journal – June 7, 1865

Dr. Walker was the only female attendant at the foot of the gallows who viewed the actual hanging outside in the yard.

[HerbS]

BettyO-You are too modest! But,It does say,"You must always do your homework".

[BettyO]

Always!!! And I'm a firm believer in document, document, document!!

[L Verge]

I am surprised that a legitimate biographer would have missed that detail about Dr. Walker being at the trial and the execution. And, speaking of her being at the execution, have John and Barry been able to locate her yet in their photo enhancements? I know they had ruled out the lone figure off to the left of the gallows.

[HerbS]

The biographer did not impress me when I asked her that question last year.Well,I guess you pay for what you get! [Dept.Chair of Humanities]

[barryssentials]

Barry here. I've thoroughy reviewed every inch of the execution photos about two years ago looking for Dr. Walker and regrettably never found anyone that resembled her or any woman. One of my blog followers once insisted that he could see her plainly in the photo called All is Done 1 (the photo with young John Collins in it). He was adament that the 'blurred image' of the person in black walking along the penitentiary towards the 20' wall was Mary Walker. The blur makes the image look like the person is wearing a dress. In my opinion the blur was strictly caused by a figure 'moving' from left to right' during the exposure time. The blur is not a dress. But to be safe, I studied the image forensically by zooming in very carefully and playing with different light levels. In doing so, the person in the photo is an officer who has a hat on and has a sword as well.
I continue to find new things in these photos everytime I look through them so I'm sure if Mary Walker was in these photos, there is still a possibility that we will be able to identify her one day. The problem is that as clear as the focus in these photos appear to be, many of the people are not. Making a positive ID will be difficult.
Have a great day.
Barry

[LincolnMan]

That is amazing but perfectly human!

[HerbS]

After much magnifcation,there seems to be a female standing in rear area with an umbrella.Perhaps,that is Dr.Mary Walker.My photos are from Swanson's book"Lincoln's Assassins-Their Trial and Executions".

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To be more specific-the female is standing in the left rear area with an umbrella.Maybe,I just want it be Dr.Mary Walker and my 68yr old eyes are playing with me!