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This is a rare photo of John Wilkes Booth in the passageway behind the Presidential Box. It was taken by Charles Forbes seconds before Booth shot President Lincoln. Those with good eyes can see the tattoo between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. The owner of the photo has requested anonymity.

Wow! and I had always thought Booth shaved his mustache off at Mudd's house
That's amazing Roger, you can see him reaching for his derringer. (or tucking in his shirt tail)

And you can even tell he's obviously had a couple of stiff drinks to bolster his courage.

Hey, did you get this photo from Troy?
Looks a lot like James Boyd. I can see why the Garrett's and the soldiers at the barn were so easily fooled.

Is that Dave Taylor?

Doesn't look much like JWB....he looks more the age of Lew Powell.....

(09-28-2013 06:29 PM)BettyO Wrote:  Is that Dave Taylor?

The gentleman who operates the excellent BoothieBarn website is named Dave Taylor. Could it be the same person?

He looks like he had just fallen asleep at the door and was rudely woke up. The plot gets thicker and thicker (not to mention deeper and deeper )

Best
Rob

Did men wear jeans back then? Were there jeans back then?

Jeans - actually denim - came along during the 1849 Gold Rush, I believe, Courtesy of Mr. Levi.

Thanks God Forbes had his smartphone camera at the ready...

(09-29-2013 08:05 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Thanks God Forbes had his smartphone camera at the ready...

Indeed Forbes was an unusual person. Later in life he signed an affidavit in which he said, "I accompanied [Lincoln] in the carriage, was with him from the carriage to the box in the theatre, and was in the box when the assassin fired his fatal shot."

Laurie, you're right- i do seem to recall denim was in the era. I wonder if young Abraham ever worn them?

Not my most photogenic pose, but it is me. I like Gene's comment that I've clearly had a couple of stiff drinks first. I doubt "drunk Booth" would have been successful in his attempt.

(10-01-2013 07:55 AM)Dave Taylor Wrote:  Not my most photogenic pose, but it is me. I like Gene's comment that I've clearly had a couple of stiff drinks first. I doubt "drunk Booth" would have been successful in his attempt.

Dave: that brings up an interesting thought- maybe Booth was drunk. He certainly had increased his alcohol use up to that time in his life- and we know he drank before the shooting. I suspect he may have been intoxicated but grown sustained toleration to it. What do you think?

Lt. Crawford stated that as Booth passed by him in the aisle his first thought was that he was intoxicated. I'd vote for impaired.

At least impaired, I agree.