Lincoln Discussion Symposium

This should eliminate many possibilities: Hint #1: The year the quote was made was 1883.

Judge Joseph Holt?

Excellent guess, Gene, but it was not Holt.

George Alfred Townsend?

Excellent guess, Laurie, but it wasn't Townsend.

(It's sure wrong-) Louis Weichmann?

Excellent guess, Eva, but it's not Weichmann.

John Ford?

Another logical guess, Eva, but it was not John Ford.

Hint#2: The person said this while being interviewed. Part of the interview was discussed many months ago on the forum, but not the part where the person gave his summary of Mary Surratt.

Hancock?

Yet another excellent guess, Betty, but it's not him.

Hint #3: I read the quote in a book authored by a member of this forum.

Hint #4: 'Gath' conducted the interview with this man.

Sam Arnold?

Yet another logical guess, Gene, but it wasn't Arnold.

I don't have my copies at home, but check books written by Tom Turner, Ed Steers, or Kate Larson. All are members here who have written on Mrs. Surratt. I still don't know the answer. Wild guess: U.S. Grant?