I want to acknowledge the wonderful work that my staff at Surratt House Museum did in producing a 40th Anniversary banquet and program last night (September 11, 2015) to celebrate the service of The Surratt Society, which was formally initiated in September of 1975. From balloons and decorations to favors and place cards - and doing the final set-up - the ladies managed to transform a ballroom into a colorful birthday bash.

The founder of the Society, Orva Heissenbuttel (now 88), was honored with a token of appreciation, and four original members of the Class of 1975 were on hand to be recognized. They now range in age from the 90+, 80+, and 70+ categories. I was the baby at 71.

After a delicious dinner, 107 attendees were privileged to hear international journalist and political commentator, Cokie Roberts, talk about researching her current book on Capital Dames: The Civil War and the Women of Washington, 1848-1868. Cokie is a wonderful speaker, who teases you with the content and is able to make history fun with details from letters, diaries, and news reports of the time. And, she talks to her audience; she doesn't read from her paper!

I'm happy to report that Kathy Canavan was at the event with good news also. Her book on Lincoln's Final Hours was released yesterday, almost a month ahead of schedule. This is another great entry into the field of Lincoln assassination studies -- and written by a woman!

I'll wind up with saying that Cokie's opinion on the fate of Mary Surratt (who is one of the women in her book) is that "She was framed." I kept my opinion to myself...

(09-12-2015 02:38 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I'll wind up with saying that Cokie's opinion on the fate of Mary Surratt (who is one of the women in her book) is that "She was framed." I kept my opinion to myself...

Did she get specific as to who framed her? The U. S. Government? John Lloyd? Louis Weichmann? Someone else?

Sounds like an awesome event!!! Kudos to all you get going!

(09-12-2015 04:09 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(09-12-2015 02:38 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I'll wind up with saying that Cokie's opinion on the fate of Mary Surratt (who is one of the women in her book) is that "She was framed." I kept my opinion to myself...

Did she get specific as to who framed her? The U. S. Government? John Lloyd? Louis Weichmann? Someone else?

She did not offer any other comments other than to comment on Johnson's overriding the writ and refusing to stay the execution. She focused more on Annie and Adele Douglas's efforts to save Mary.

I should add that Cokie Roberts spoke highly of Varina Davis, but not so well of Mary Lincoln. Mrs. Davis had been a popular and influential lady in Washington before the war and hated having to leave the city. Cokie also spoke on how Varina and Julia Dent Grant became good friends as widows and were often seen together after Varina moved to New York.

Her only comment about Mary Lincoln was that she behaved herself poorly, especially after the assassination. She did give her credit for helping Mrs. Keckly with contraband donations and also visiting wounded soldiers - but not much else.

A quick read on Varina, for those of you who may not have read much about the Confederate First Lady: https://featherfoster.wordpress.com/2014...rk-yankee/

P.S. Cokie had nothing much good to say about Jefferson Davis, either, but it was mainly based around his lackluster and obstinate personality.

Wish I could have come - sounds like ya'll had a great time!