Remember, the Atzerodts originally settled in Germantown, Md. My guess is that they spoke German almost exclusively in the household and among neighbors and family. Germantown was a area settled by? So my guess is that the Atzerodts (with maybe John as an exception) did not integrate very quickly into American society.

George stopped at the home of Lucinda Metz in Georgetown. Her home was almost directly across the street from the stage coach stop. I bet she spoke German. She signed her testimony with her mark (X) which would indicate illetracy. Maybe she could not read English?

(08-22-2012, 08:00 AM)Jim Garrett Wrote: Remember, the Atzerodts originally settled in Germantown, Md. My guess is that they spoke German almost exclusively in the household and among neighbors and family. Germantown was a area settled by? So my guess is that the Atzerodts (with maybe John as an exception) did not integrate very quickly into American society.

George stopped at the home of Lucinda Metz in Georgetown. Her home was almost directly across the street from the stage coach stop. I bet she spoke German. She signed her testimony with her mark (X) which would indicate illetracy. Maybe she could not read English?

Good points, Jim! I have some Chinese friends. Very nice pleasant people, and I've noticed that when they are together they speak exclusively Chinese - no English. I would assume that you are right. Atzerodt more or less, with his family and friends would probably speak exclusively German. Although he spoke English - some of his friends and family may not have done so and speaking more German than English may have precluded him having limited communication skills.

Julie; Welcome! Why are you "Julie-the Cheesehead?" Any special reason?

Julie has to be from Wisconsin! We have a wonderful Life Member of the Surratt Society who comes to our conference each year armed with rounds of cheese for certain friends. It is sooooo good...

Julie IS from Wisconsin!

If I ever do get to go to the Surrattsville conference, I will bring some cheese too.

(08-22-2012, 05:14 PM)Julie-the-Cheesehead Wrote: If I ever do get to go to the Surrattsville conference, I will bring some cheese too.

Yum!! And I'll bring either VA ham or peanuts! But then I've been accused of being a HAM anyway!! HA!

(08-22-2012, 05:29 PM)BettyO Wrote:

(08-22-2012, 05:14 PM)Julie-the-Cheesehead Wrote: If I ever do get to go to the Surrattsville conference, I will bring some cheese too.

Yum!! And I'll bring either VA ham or peanuts! But then I've been accused of being a HAM anyway!! HA!

I'm bringin the Moon Pies & the RC
(Betty, please don't bring boiled peanuts - yuk)

(08-22-2012, 06:06 PM)Gene C Wrote:

(08-22-2012, 05:29 PM)BettyO Wrote:

(08-22-2012, 05:14 PM)Julie-the-Cheesehead Wrote: If I ever do get to go to the Surrattsville conference, I will bring some cheese too.

Yum!! And I'll bring either VA ham or peanuts! But then I've been accused of being a HAM anyway!! HA!

I'm bringin the Moon Pies & the RC
(Betty, please don't bring boiled peanuts - yuk)

I agree, Gene - I hate boiled peanuts! You should try the honey roasted- Yum! I bought some for Ed Isaacs and he loved them!

Honey roasted peanuts are great - and so is peanut soup. How many of you used to buy the small bag of salted peanuts and pour them into your bottle of Coke before eating?

P.S. I'll try to find some soft shell crabs, but it'll be pretty early in the season for them. Lightly toss them in seasoned flour and sautee them before putting on a hamburger bun with a little tartar sauce - that's a Southern Maryland treat.

Maryland used to be famous for its turtle soup, but once I read the directions as to how to make it, I almost threw up!

I always feel really sorry for Atzerodt...the poor guy didn't even want to kill anyone!

(08-22-2012, 06:44 PM)L Verge Wrote: Maryland used to be famous for its turtle soup, but once I read the directions as to how to make it, I almost threw up!

If you bring soup, I think I'll pass .

Well, it would seem to me that George was fluent enough that he could understand Booth and the other co-conspirators pretty well, and they must have felt assured he understood them perfectly. Doesn't make sense to have a partner in such dangerous business who might misunderstand you. No doubt George had an accent, but he did live in an English language dominated world from the time he was a child.

Which brings me to another question. What really motivated George to get involved in Booth's schemes? Were other local German Americans pro Confederacy in general or would George have been an exception?

(08-22-2012, 10:54 PM)Gene C Wrote:

(08-22-2012, 06:44 PM)L Verge Wrote: Maryland used to be famous for its turtle soup, but once I read the directions as to how to make it, I almost threw up!

If you bring soup, I think I'll pass .

OMG -- LOVE turtle!

---

Hey, Kate!

I think money was what motivated George. He could not have been making that much as a carriage maker; painter. He was like the local guy who nowadays keeps a garage and spray paints cars or works on them for a living.... it may pay well now; but other than Studebaker, I don't think many got rich off of that particular trade....

George was NOT a coward - well; not much of one - especially if he had run the blockade several times as he had claimed. One wonders about this; could it have simply have been bravado? At any rate, George had been supposedly "bragging" that he was going to become "rich." I think a lucrative cash flow was what enticed George to join. I don't really know if he had much of a dedication to the Confederacy such as Powell, Arnold and O'Laughlen had.....

(08-23-2012, 06:03 AM)BettyO Wrote:

(08-22-2012, 10:54 PM)Gene C Wrote:

(08-22-2012, 06:44 PM)L Verge Wrote: Maryland used to be famous for its turtle soup, but once I read the directions as to how to make it, I almost threw up!

If you bring soup, I think I'll pass .

OMG -- LOVE turtle!

---

Hey, Kate!

I think money was what motivated George. He could not have been making that much as a carriage maker; painter. He was like the local guy who nowadays keeps a garage and spray paints cars or works on them for a living.... it may pay well now; but other than Studebaker, I don't think many got rich off of that particular trade....

George was NOT a coward - well; not much of one - especially if he had run the blockade several times as he had claimed. One wonders about this; could it have simply have been bravado? At any rate, George had been supposedly "bragging" that he was going to become "rich." I think a lucrative cash flow was what enticed George to join. I don't really know if he had much of a dedication to the Confederacy such as Powell, Arnold and O'Laughlen had.....

OK Laurie, Maryland is crabs. Betty, bring the peanuts, You ARE the Virginia Ham.