Civil War vets would think that we are on a downhill slide as a society.

I most definitely agree, Toia and Herb! War is war - and what one does in war, one usually wouldn't even probably consider in peacetime. It basically seems like our current "society", which considering technology and today's advancements, has taken a definite step backwards to beyond the days of "Fred Flintstone!"

Toia, you hit the nail right on the head as to what I was trying to say. Sometimes I get frustrated watching us (meaning society in general) condemn the actions of our ancestors while we rather complacently take the current news for granted.

We need to take a step back and take a good look at ourselves as a society.How about-no texting or cell phones at dinner-teaching of values in schools-give a hug to someone-charity-accepting yourself and others-any form of religion etc-etc.

More detective work. I was taking a look at The Oath of Allegiance signed by Powell as Paine. Something had always bugged me about that signature.

I'm not a handwriting expert, but I guess you don't have to be to see that the L of Lewis flows, with nice copperplate, while the P of Paine shows hesitation stops, and looks much more laboured. It's at total odds with the first letter and he clearly struggled here, as you would, when forging a name. Or am I wrong? As his surname began with a P. It just doesn't seem to match.

Speaking of Lewis Powell, Dave Taylor's BoothieBarn article published today is a "don't miss."

Interesting, Maddie.....

Since Powell was apparently going by the name of "Mr. Ferguson" at the Branson house, he may have hesitated or been so nervous that he started to write "Powell" and then changed it to "Paine" (Payne)....

Powell signature comparisons:

   

Here is his Dad's signature:

   

Here is his Mom's signature:

   

Looking at his Dad's signature, can you tell who taught Lew to write?

You people are Super Detectives.I hired 3 handwriting experts to examine the wrting in a "letter to Lincoln" warning him of his assassination.Postmarked-Dansville,NY-Sender unknown.We all concured that it was John Surratt.Tom Turner published my findings in the"Lincoln Herald".

Quote:Tom Turner published my findings in the"Lincoln Herald".

Herb, you are a super sleuth yourself! When and in what vol of Lincoln Herald was this published? I used to subscribe - and need to again! Most ALL of the volumes are online in "e" format -

(11-12-2014 05:47 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  Speaking of Lewis Powell, Dave Taylor's BoothieBarn article published today is a "don't miss."

Grand article and photos!!! I've always wondered what a casket for a skull might have looked like.

(11-12-2014 05:47 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  Speaking of Lewis Powell, Dave Taylor's BoothieBarn article published today is a "don't miss."

Betty-- Powell's casket was beautiful. How wonderful of BoothieBarn to recognize and honor Lewis Powell on this twenty year anniversary. I have always felt how nice it was he had a proper funeral service and burial. Thank you for all your dedication and research, Betty; looking forward to reading your book due out in January 2015.

Thank you, Paige - but others including Mike Kauffman, and the Powell family were also instrumental in giving Mr. Powell his due respect....it doesn't seem like it's been 20 years! I'm glad for one that this boy, who although he got involved in a horrid scheme and inflicted terrible damage in a misguided concept towards his "country" - the Confederacy, finally got laid to rest as he and his parents would have wanted.

BettyO-I love your red hair.I was published in the summer of 2011.Vol113#2.I am a speculative digger of research info.

Thanks, Herb....I loved it too, when it WAS red! Now it's somewhat mixed with steel gray....

Thanks for the volume number of the Lincoln Herald - I'm looking it up!

What is most interesting about this thread, is that is has started out on the assassination photos, moved to the terrible nature of the crime, to Lewis Powell. I believe this is a prime example of six degrees of separation. I think if I started a thread on Mary Todd Lincoln's ingrown toenail, somehow Betty could bring it into the context of Lewis Powell