(07-16-2012 03:58 PM)Gene C Wrote:  Supposition,
As I understand it, the conspirators did not know their fate until 24-36 hours? before the hanging.
The good folks hiding John tell him his mother is in no danger. He believes them. By the time he learns of the death sentence, it's to late for him to do anything about it - he's hiding in Canada. He admitted in his lectures that even had he known she was in danger, there was nothing he could do to save her (so why come out of hiding, it would have served her no purpose - his reasoning, not mine).

No doubt in my mind the Gov't was trying to lure him out of hiding. No hard evidence to that effect that I know of.
I think Anna was arrested, but released. (I recommend Kate Clifford Larson's book, "Assassins Accomplice", if you haven't already read it)

Kate's book, Assassin's Accomplice is HIGHLY recommended -- it's a "Must Read"!

I agree, Betty. Laurie also sent me a copy of a speech she gave entitled - "Did She or Didn't She?", which I read before reading Ms. Larson's book. (I'd like to see that speech posted) Short and to the point, it really swayed my opinion on Mrs. Surratt's guilt. Ms. Larson's book sealed it for me.

(07-16-2012 06:04 PM)J. Beckert Wrote:  I agree, Betty. Laurie also sent me a copy of a speech she gave entitled - "Did She or Didn't She?", which I read before reading Ms. Larson's book. (I'd like to see that speech posted) Short and to the point, it really swayed my opinion on Mrs. Surratt's guilt. Ms. Larson's book sealed it for me.

I always believed that Mary was not the innocent she was made out to be....Kate's book confirmed it!

Anna testified at the trial, so she couldn't be charged after that. But she lived in that house and saw everything, too. She wasn't a dope. She could have easily been used by ghe government as a lure to get John. They could have threatened to prosecute her, too, but she wasn't put on trial.

I agree with Laurie. I believe very deeply that Johnson saw the plea and rejected it.

I just got back from vacation. Great new forum. Roger came up with a fascinating counter-factual. I believe Mary would have been convicted by virtue of the role she and John played at the boarding house. Her sentence would likely have been somewhere in between the 6 years given to Spangler and the life sentence given to those not hanged.
As Holt spoke with Johnson for three hours, I find it inconceivable that the issue of the US government executing a woman for the first time did not come up. As Johnson was quoted as saying the trouble with the Civil War was the failure to hang enough women, Holt no doubt found a kindred spirit.
Tom

Welcome back from your vacation, Tom! I am so glad you joined our group here.

(07-25-2012 03:06 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  Welcome back from your vacation, Tom! I am so glad you joined our group here.

Welcome, Tom!

Has anyone read the new book on Holt? I know it has gotten rave reviews and so did Dr. Leonard's presentation but was Holt really as vindictive as he's made out to be in the movie? Maybe he would have had some sort of feeling about Mary if he wasn't like he was in the movie.