(11-24-2014 12:40 PM)Rsmyth Wrote:  Hi Kathy, I will be looking forward to your book. Will it shed any light on what became of Huldah and George Francis? I have been looking for them for quite a while.

Rick, Huldah and George were only essential to my story up until they left the Petersen House, so I didn't follow them after that. With the war ended and the Washington economy entering a slump, the housewares business was so slow that the Francises gave up their rooms on June 1 to go on an extended holiday in upstate New York and New England. I'm not sure of their whereabouts after the trip.

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(12-01-2014 05:00 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Did Peterson ever receive a refound for damage he suffered due the events?

Hi Eva
The federal government did pay Petersen for all the sheets and pillowcases and even for his time and his servant's time.
Kathy

Wow! I am suprised with the answer!

(12-01-2014 06:20 PM)HerbS Wrote:  Wow! I am suprised with the answer!

Herb, Why are you surprised? Kathy

(12-01-2014 05:00 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Did Peterson ever receive a refund for damage he suffered due the events?

(12-01-2014 06:09 PM)Lincoln Wonk Wrote:  Hi Eva
The federal government did pay Petersen for all the sheets and pillowcases and even for his time and his servant's time.
Kathy

Thanks, Kathy!

Lincoln Wonk,I am suprised that the govt. did pay for the losses! Usually,[through my experience]it is like"pulling teeth" to get the govt.to settleup thier debt!

You're experience may be typical, Herb, because they didn't pay him quickly and they didn't pay all that Petersen asked, but they did eventually pay a very fair amount. I only have paper records on it, so I don't have it at hand, but he was fairly compensated.
The bill also created bad press for Mr. Petersen in newspapers of the day. They criticized him for asking for payment for relics that others would consider priceless mementos of President Lincoln.

Thank you Lincoln Wonk!

Congratulations, Kathy. I've always been intrigued by the Petersen House more than Ford's Theatre because of its "authenticity" compared to the recreated theatre. Standing in that bedroom feels more "real" than looking up at the Presidential box. Didn't know of your crime/police reporter background. With some of the seriously flawed news reports I've seen in the past year, it's apparent that knowledgeable crime reporters who understand the system are largely a thing of the past.

Did you ever find the source you were searching for regarding Booth's pistol?

(11-10-2014 08:10 PM)Anita Wrote:  Very exciting news Kathy. Just wanted to add my congratulations. I love to look forward to good Lincoln-related reads. Thanks for this.

Thanks, Anita.

Congrats on the book Kathy. I remember you mentioning your work studying the Petersons at last year's Surratt Conference. Hope to see you there again this year and I am looking forward to your book!

(12-07-2014 02:57 PM)STS Lincolnite Wrote:  Congrats on the book Kathy. I remember you mentioning your work studying the Petersons at last year's Surratt Conference. Hope to see you there again this year and I am looking forward to your book!

Scott, I'm really eager to hear all this year's speakers and go on the Manhunt bus, what a great lineup. See you there. Kathy