That's the interesting aspect of this history. With all the research and study, we still don't know things about the assassination. We don't know which door Booth went through or his exact route out of the city.

Frank Ford's letter to George Olszewski written 04/13/1962 is pretty clear, Harry Ford drilled the hole.

(11-18-2012 07:00 AM)Jim Garrett Wrote:  That's the interesting aspect of this history. With all the research and study, we still don't know things about the assassination. We don't know which door Booth went through or his exact route out of the city.

Frank Ford's letter to George Olszewski written 04/13/1962 is pretty clear, Harry Ford drilled the hole.

Yes. I have read that, but was also curious about this from BoothieBarn - However, a period statement from Harry Ford has him saying, “Did not notice a hole in the door or in the wall. Did not take particular notice of the wall or door however.”

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(11-17-2012 03:45 PM)Dave Taylor Wrote:  Roger, I agree with Kauffman completely that Booth entered through box 8 and not 7 as Ford's has it set up. Rathbone's account completely supports this. Read the comment section on my post about Rathbone's account: http://boothiebarn.com/2012/06/10/though...-rathbone/

Yes. Very informative. Had forgotten about that statement over the years.

When I went to Fords theater I realized just how much thought went into planning the assassination. Booth had every step planned and up to who was guarding what door and when he could enter at what time. There was so much involved. After see which doors he entered it amazes me even more how tiwsted it all was. I mean it wasnt a small jump to the stage from the presidential box. When you look at the space of the door area and the time frame its a bunch of things happening in little time but thats where the planning came in and why it had to be so planned down to the second.

I don't remember where I read this but one author from the time of Booth firing his pistol to his exit out the theater back door was 80 seconds.

I think I've seen that as well Bill. I think your right it wasn't much time between shooting the president a leaving the theater. I know for sure that he had men and horses waiting to make a faster exit.

And during that 80 seconds he also engaged in the struggle with Major Rathbone!

(11-18-2012 08:23 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  And during that 80 seconds he also engaged in the struggle with Major Rathbone!

That was part of it as well I had forgotten that.

There is also some controversy as to how much time Booth was in the theatre until the time he shot Lincoln. One of the witnesses, John Miles, claimed he saw Booth call to Spangler to assist him with holding his horse. Miles also saw Peanut John lying on the bench outside of the theatre holding the horse. He stated that about three-quarters of an hour had passed from the time Booth entered the theatre until the shot was fired. I believe that I have read somewhere else that it was as little as 15 minutes. The truth probably lies somewhere in between.

Craig

(11-18-2012 09:35 PM)Craig Hipkins Wrote:  There is also some controversy as to how much time Booth was in the theatre until the time he shot Lincoln. One of the witnesses, John Miles, claimed he saw Booth call to Spangler to assist him with holding his horse. Miles also saw Peanut John lying on the bench outside of the theatre holding the horse. He stated that about three-quarters of an hour had passed from the time Booth entered the theatre until the shot was fired. I believe that I have read somewhere else that it was as little as 15 minutes. The truth probably lies somewhere in between.

Craig

Good point. There are so many factors in the whole thing. i still dont doubt though that he had it all planned to a tee before it took place or it would have gone nearly the way it did otherwise.

(11-18-2012 08:01 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  I don't remember where I read this but one author from the time of Booth firing his pistol to his exit out the theater back door was 80 seconds.

William Ferguson, in his 1930 book said Booth was out the back door in 1 minute. As to Rathbone, I don't think there was much of a struggle. A quick slash, and Rathbone was neutralized.

I wonder if it was sketches like this that caused many of us to believe Booth was coming more from door 7 than door 8?

Unless someone was timing Booth's every move, there is no way we can ascertain how much time he spent in the theater before the murder or truly how long it took to leap from the box and run out the back door.

Anyone who has seen the layout of the theater and been backstage (such as at least Jim Garrett and I) knows that a man could hobble that distance in under a minute - even with a broken leg. There is not much space behind the stage, as several of us found out while waiting in the wings to speak at one of the symposiums they used to hold.

(11-19-2012 11:37 AM)Laurie Verge Wrote:  Unless someone was timing Booth's every move, there is no way we can ascertain how much time he spent in the theater before the murder or truly how long it took to leap from the box and run out the back door.

Anyone who has seen the layout of the theater and been backstage (such as at least Jim Garrett and I) knows that a man could hobble that distance in under a minute - even with a broken leg. There is not much space behind the stage, as several of us found out while waiting in the wings to speak at one of the symposiums they used to hold.

I agree I haven't said a time only becasue an exact time isn't fully known. I know there wasn't to much time that passed but I won't say how much unless there is more information. your right his broken ankle did probaly change things a bit. there are so many theories we can come to in the whole thing. but which are right and what we may not know is the exact time frame in which it all happened. I am interested to know more about it all.

Laurie is correct. The first few times, you don't realize how small the theatre is. The distance from presidential box to back door is measured in feet, not yards.

Quote:So even after all of this time is there disagreement among historians about the peephole in the door? Who carved it? Which door? If the door to box 8 why not box 7 if that was the normal Presidential box?

It seems to me that the Ford's might lie about the hole in the door and the notch in the wall in order to minimize their own complacency in allowing Booth free reign of their theater while he prepared for the assassination. It is my understanding that wood shavings were found in Booth's pocket or in a hankerchief at his hotel with the circumstantial connection that they were the shavings from creating the peep-hole.
The peephole was in the door to box 7 but Kauffman makes the case that Booth entered through the door to Box 8 which may have been ajar or open as per Rathbone's statement. This puts Booth to the right of Lincoln chair instead of behind him. Kauffman claims that Booth shot from this point but that Lincoln's was leaning forward looking left toward the audience and the bullet entered behind his left ear.
Imagine Lincoln, he knows the play and he wants to see the audience's reaction to the funniest line in the play. He leans forward and looks left after Hawk delivers his zinger while Booth shoots from the right of his chair. Makes sense to me.