Mug Shot Photos Put To Use: Observation / Theory

[John E.]

Hi Folks,

During Herold's interrogation aboard the Montauk, he was shown a series of 9 photos including 4 of which he positively identified:

1. John Surratt (Photo 1)
2. Photo 2 Unrecognized (Arnold ?)
3. O'Laughlin (Photo 3)
4. Spangler (Photo 4)
5. Atzerodt (Photo 5).
6. Photo 6 Unrecognized (Powell?)
7. Photo 7 Unrecognized (Powell?)
8. Photo 8 Unrecognized (Richter?)
9. Photo 9 Unrecognized (Celestino?)


Just a guess but I think the other five were of: Arnold, Richter, Powell and Celestino.

The assumption would be that Celestino's photo was taken and a print developed to show to Herold. The interrogation happened on April 27, 1865.

Here are Herold's responses:

Photo 6 - I don't know him. I never saw him.
Photo 7 - I am confident I never saw him.

** My theory is that photos 6 & 7 were of the same person. Most likely Powell. Investigators were confident that Powell was involved and they wanted to give Herold a second look at the same guy. Herold wanted in turn to "confidently" deny knowing him. -- Much like Mary.

-- Pure guess on my part though.

Photo 8 - I don't know who that is.
Photo 9 - I don't know him.

[BettyO]

Absolutely facinating, John! I never thought about Davey's questioning....

You just know that he was shown photos of Lew Powell....and of course, like Mrs. Surratt, he would definitely deny knowing "Mosby" aka Powell....

Mrs. Surratt was also shown photos and upon seeing JWB's photo, it was said that she responded, "That's Mr. Booth ain't it?" Or something similar to the effect....

Too bad that there is no recollection of Powell identifying anyone much less a confession (which he supposedly gave, but Eckert "forgot" to put down....)

[L Verge]

I think that's a fair analysis. If I were Herold, I would certainly deny knowing Powell. I seriously doubt that Herold ever met Richter or Celestino either. Arnold seems to be the logical other one, but why would Herold deny knowing him, but go after O'Laughlen?

[John E.]

Perhaps he identified O'Laughlen because he was seen with him at one point and it would be harder to deny. Maybe Arnold kept more of a distance and it was easier for Herold to say he didn't recognize him at all.

Just another guess.

[Hess1865]

Maybe Herold was thinking of the old saying, "Admit nothing; deny everything"

[Gene C]

He could have had future in politics if only he had used his knowledge for misappropriation of funds and not the conspiracy