Lincoln Discussion Symposium

No prizes for trivia cheaters. I forfeit.

In the years after the assassination which person stated that it was mainly on his testimony that the principal conspirators were convicted.

Was it Louis J. Weichmann?

I'll take a random guess. How about John Fletcher? His information on the horses and their owners proved valuable.

Good guesses, Roger and Dave, but neither one is correct.

Richard M. Smoot's brother?

I am sorry, Laurie, but it was not Smoot's brother.

I would have thought Weichmann, how about John Lloyd?

That's another good guess, Gene, but it wasn't John Lloyd.

Not taking "testimony" literally, I'll guess Lafayette Baker.

William Withers?

Kudos, Rich. You are correct. In later years Withers stated, "It was mainly on my testimony that the principals in the case were convicted." Withers made a series of embellished or untrue statements including maintaining that Tad Lincoln was in the box with his parents that night.

Tom Bogar mentions Withers' statement here. Scroll to 6:25 of the video.

This is a part of a letter. Who wrote the letter?

"Let me no the truth about this murder of the Chief President....I want to no wat you no about it....My hand is so lame that I can scarcely hold the pen...."

I know, I know! But I'll let others guess.

Sam Arnold's father?