Assassination Trivia - Printable Version

Assassination Trivia - Printable Version

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RE: Assassination Trivia - RJNorton - 01-26-2021 05:20 AM

(01-25-2021 08:19 PM)Steve Wrote: If Bolton's account is true, why wasn't his statement taken at the time taken about Booth's movements or made to testify at the trial?

Steve, am I reading this correctly...the very first time we hear from Bolton is in 1914 (49 years after the assassination)? If true, I have trouble believing his account. Is there anything from him 1865-1880?

RE: Assassination Trivia - Steve - 01-27-2021 06:32 AM

As far as I can tell, no. There was an 1894 article after Bolton became police commissioner of Norfolk Va. which briefly related his military service, without mentioning being at the theater when Lincoln was shot.

I did look into Bolton's character reference and he is the absolute opposite of a "reliable witness":

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asa_Bird_Gardiner

Since he did serve with Bolton at the time he could've been Bolton's, unfortunately, only locatable witness at such late a date or a former comrade amenable to lying.

RE: Assassination Trivia - Steve Whitlock - 01-27-2021 09:48 AM

(01-27-2021 06:32 AM)Steve Wrote: As far as I can tell, no. There was an 1894 article after Bolton became police commissioner of Norfolk Va. which briefly related his military service, without mentioning being at the theater when Lincoln was shot.

I did look into Bolton's character reference and he is the absolute opposite of a "reliable witness":

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asa_Bird_Gardiner

Since he did serve with Bolton at the time he could've been Bolton's, unfortunately, only locatable witness at such late a date or a former comrade amenable to lying.

I don't need to point out the obvious shortcomings in Bolton's story. If he would at least have mentioned lifting Dr. Taft (or a naval surgeon) up to the Lincoln box it would be in accordance with the statement of Clara Harris. Even Bebee mentioned lifting the doctor up. However, if it was Bebee then that would further attest to Clara not knowing the uniforms of the military. After that perhaps Bebee got carried away with embellishing his own role. They were all guilty of that, even Leale in later versions.

RE: Assassination Trivia - Steve Whitlock - 01-27-2021 08:18 PM

(01-27-2021 09:48 AM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:
(01-27-2021 06:32 AM)Steve Wrote: As far as I can tell, no. There was an 1894 article after Bolton became police commissioner of Norfolk Va. which briefly related his military service, without mentioning being at the theater when Lincoln was shot.

I did look into Bolton's character reference and he is the absolute opposite of a "reliable witness":

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asa_Bird_Gardiner

Since he did serve with Bolton at the time he could've been Bolton's, unfortunately, only locatable witness at such late a date or a former comrade amenable to lying.
I don't need to point out the obvious shortcomings in Bolton's story. If he would at least have mentioned lifting Dr. Taft (or a naval surgeon) up to the Lincoln box it would be in accordance with the statement of Clara Harris. Even Bebee mentioned lifting the doctor up. However, if it was Bebee then that would further attest to Clara not knowing the uniforms of the military. After that perhaps Bebee got carried away with embellishing his own role. They were all guilty of that, even Leale in later versions.

Whoaaa!!! Back up the bus out of town. Lt. Bolton has some support for having been in the Lincoln box at Ford's Theatre. In the newsclip I posted for the statement of Dr. Taft, under the "BLEEDING STARTED" header, 2nd paragraph down there is mention of :

"The officer in command of the provost guard at the theater was directed to clear the room which had become speedily filled to suffocation of all except the Surgeons. This officer guarded the door until relieved later in the evening by General M.C. Meige who took charge of it the rest of the night by direction of Mr Stanton."

That officer was Lt. Bolton, according to his testimony and that of his former commander, ret Lt. Col. Asa Bird Gardiner (See pgs 133-134). Lt. Bolton in his statement does declare that he cleared the box, or tried to (see pg 136 of attached statement). However, there is a conflict with Dr. Todd in that Bolton appears to claim he carried the President over to the Peterson house and stayed. How could he do that if he was guarding the door back at the theater?

So, it appears that Bolton assisted Dr. Todd up to the Lincoln box, and then followed him up as the man identified by Clara Harris. After that the stories get muddled, but we have some corroboration for Bolton being there. That is a best guess possibility. At any rate Bolton was likely there in the box. The rest of his story needs close scrutiny.

RE: Assassination Trivia - Steve - 01-27-2021 09:27 PM

(01-27-2021 08:18 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote: Whoaaa!!! Back up the bus out of town. Lt. Bolton has some support for having been in the Lincoln box at Ford's Theatre. In the newsclip I posted for the statement of Dr. Taft, under the "BLEEDING STARTED" header, 2nd paragraph down there is mention of :

"The officer in command of the provost guard at the theater was directed to clear the room which had become speedily filled to suffocation of all except the Surgeons. This officer guarded the door until relieved later in the evening by General M.C. Meige who took charge of it the rest of the night by direction of Mr Stanton."

That officer was Lt. Bolton, according to his testimony and that of his former commander, ret Lt. Col. Asa Bird Gardiner (See pgs 133-134). Lt. Bolton in his statement does declare that he cleared the box, or tried to (see pg 136 of attached statement). However, there is a conflict with Dr. Todd in that Bolton appears to claim he carried the President over to the Peterson house and stayed. How could he do that if he was guarding the door back at the theater?

So, it appears that Bolton assisted Dr. Todd up to the Lincoln box, and then followed him up as the man identified by Clara Harris. After that the stories get muddled, but we have some corroboration for Bolton being there. That is a best guess possibility. At any rate Bolton was likely there in the box. The rest of his story needs close scrutiny.

You misread Dr. Taft's quote, he says the officer in charge of the provost guard at the theater was guarding the room with the President at Petersen House after the President was moved there:

https://archive.org/details/abrahamlincolnsl00taft/page/10/mode/2up

So there really isn't a contradiction there. As I mentioned above Gardiner's testimony is not trustworthy at all. But I do think Taft's account along with Clara Harris' affidavit description of the man wearing a VRC uniform do give some credence to Bolton's account to counter its problems.

RE: Assassination Trivia - Steve Whitlock - 01-27-2021 09:49 PM

(01-27-2021 09:27 PM)Steve Wrote:
(01-27-2021 08:18 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote: Whoaaa!!! Back up the bus out of town. Lt. Bolton has some support for having been in the Lincoln box at Ford's Theatre. In the newsclip I posted for the statement of Dr. Taft, under the "BLEEDING STARTED" header, 2nd paragraph down there is mention of :

"The officer in command of the provost guard at the theater was directed to clear the room which had become speedily filled to suffocation of all except the Surgeons. This officer guarded the door until relieved later in the evening by General M.C. Meige who took charge of it the rest of the night by direction of Mr Stanton."

That officer was Lt. Bolton, according to his testimony and that of his former commander, ret Lt. Col. Asa Bird Gardiner (See pgs 133-134). Lt. Bolton in his statement does declare that he cleared the box, or tried to (see pg 136 of attached statement). However, there is a conflict with Dr. Todd in that Bolton appears to claim he carried the President over to the Peterson house and stayed. How could he do that if he was guarding the door back at the theater?

So, it appears that Bolton assisted Dr. Todd up to the Lincoln box, and then followed him up as the man identified by Clara Harris. After that the stories get muddled, but we have some corroboration for Bolton being there. That is a best guess possibility. At any rate Bolton was likely there in the box. The rest of his story needs close scrutiny.

You misread Dr. Taft's quote, he says the officer in charge of the provost guard at the theater was guarding the room with the President at Petersen House after the President was moved there:

https://archive.org/details/abrahamlincolnsl00taft/page/10/mode/2up

So there really isn't a contradiction there. As I mentioned above Gardiner's testimony is not trustworthy at all. But I do think Taft's account along with Clara Harris' affidavit description of the man wearing a VRC uniform do give some credence to Bolton's account to counter its problems.

Steve,

At least one of us (you) read the whole paragraph. Where I further confused myself was on pg 136 of Bolton's statement:

"At this point I went to the front of the box and ordered the house cleared."

He then goes on to order the president be taken across the street. Still, it seems a matter of determining what is true and what is an embellishment for Bolton, and that he was likely both in the box (if he was the one in the Clara Harris statement) and at the Peterson house (per Dr. Taft).

I, too, was put off by the 1914 date for his statement. If Gardiner is unreliable perhaps a better source for Bolton being in charge 14 Apr 1865 needs to be found. I had a listing for soldiers in the Veteran Reserve Corp because of the provenance for the blood stained piece of Mary Lincoln's chair, but that is gone with my old computer at the moment.

RE: Assassination Trivia - Steve Whitlock - 01-28-2021 12:18 AM

(01-27-2021 09:49 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote:
(01-27-2021 09:27 PM)Steve Wrote:
(01-27-2021 08:18 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote: Whoaaa!!! Back up the bus out of town. Lt. Bolton has some support for having been in the Lincoln box at Ford's Theatre. In the newsclip I posted for the statement of Dr. Taft, under the "BLEEDING STARTED" header, 2nd paragraph down there is mention of :

"The officer in command of the provost guard at the theater was directed to clear the room which had become speedily filled to suffocation of all except the Surgeons. This officer guarded the door until relieved later in the evening by General M.C. Meige who took charge of it the rest of the night by direction of Mr Stanton."

That officer was Lt. Bolton, according to his testimony and that of his former commander, ret Lt. Col. Asa Bird Gardiner (See pgs 133-134). Lt. Bolton in his statement does declare that he cleared the box, or tried to (see pg 136 of attached statement). However, there is a conflict with Dr. Todd in that Bolton appears to claim he carried the President over to the Peterson house and stayed. How could he do that if he was guarding the door back at the theater?

So, it appears that Bolton assisted Dr. Todd up to the Lincoln box, and then followed him up as the man identified by Clara Harris. After that the stories get muddled, but we have some corroboration for Bolton being there. That is a best guess possibility. At any rate Bolton was likely there in the box. The rest of his story needs close scrutiny.

You misread Dr. Taft's quote, he says the officer in charge of the provost guard at the theater was guarding the room with the President at Petersen House after the President was moved there:

https://archive.org/details/abrahamlincolnsl00taft/page/10/mode/2up

So there really isn't a contradiction there. As I mentioned above Gardiner's testimony is not trustworthy at all. But I do think Taft's account along with Clara Harris' affidavit description of the man wearing a VRC uniform do give some credence to Bolton's account to counter its problems.

Steve,

At least one of us (you) read the whole paragraph. Where I further confused myself was on pg 136 of Bolton's statement:

"At this point I went to the front of the box and ordered the house cleared."

He then goes on to order the president be taken across the street. Still, it seems a matter of determining what is true and what is an embellishment for Bolton, and that he was likely both in the box (if he was the one in the Clara Harris statement) and at the Peterson house (per Dr. Taft).

I, too, was put off by the 1914 date for his statement. If Gardiner is unreliable perhaps a better source for Bolton being in charge 14 Apr 1865 needs to be found. I had a listing for soldiers in the Veteran Reserve Corp because of the provenance for the blood stained piece of Mary Lincoln's chair, but that is gone with my old computer at the moment.

Steve Williams,

Here's some proof Lt. John T. (or F.) Bolton was in the 7th Reg. Veteran Reserve Corps:

NPS.govPark HomePeopleSoldiers and Sailors DatabaseSoldiers
Search For Soldiers:
Bolton, John F.
Side: Union
Location: Veteran Reserve
Battle Unit: 7th Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps
Alternate Name: John T./Bolton
**********************************
John T. Bolton
in the U.S., Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865
Name: John T. Bolton
Side: Union
Regiment State/Origin: Veteran Reserve Corps
Regiment: 7th Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps
Company: K
Rank In: Second Lieutenant
Rank Out: Second Lieutenant
Film Number: M636 roll 3/4
Other Records: Learn More about this Regiment
**************************************
John F. Bolton
in the U.S., Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865
Name: John F. Bolton
Side: Union
Regiment State/Origin: Veteran Reserve Corps
Regiment: 7th Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps
Company: K
Rank In: Second Lieutenant
Rank Out: Second Lieutenant
Alternate Name: John T./Bolton
Film Number: M636 roll 3/4
Other Records: Learn More about this Regiment
U.S., American Civil War Regiments, 1861-1866
Regiment: 7th Infantry Regiment U.S. Veteran Reserve Corps
Date of Organization: 10 Oct 1863
Muster Date: 25 Nov 1865
Regiment State: U.S. Veteran Reserve Corps
Regiment Type: Infantry
Regiment Number: 7th
Find Soldiers in this Regiment: U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles
*********************
That doesn't prove he was guarding Ford Theatre 14 Apr 1865, but that he was truthful in stating his outfit and rank. Also, the uniform worn by the soldiers was distinctive, but may have been changed.

Invalid Corps members stood out because of their unique uniforms. According to General Orders No. 124, issued May 15, 1863:

The following uniform has been adopted for the Invalid Corps: Jacket: Of sky-blue kersey, with dark-blue trimmings, cut like the jacket of the U.S. Cavalry, to come well down on the loins and abdomen. Trousers: Present regulation, sky-blue. Forage cap: Present regulation.

Invalid Corps troops also wore standard dark blue fatigue blouses from time to time. Standard forage caps were to be decorated with the brass infantry horn, regimental number, and company letter.

Officers also wore sky blue; a frock coat of sky-blue cloth, with dark blue velvet collar and cuffs, in all other respects according to the present pattern for officers of infantry. Shoulder straps were also to match current patterns but dark-blue velvet. Officers also wore gold epaulets on parade. Eventually officers were allowed to wear the standard dark-blue frock, ostensibly because sky-blue frocks soiled easily. Some officers had their frocks cut down to make uniforms or shell jackets. By the war's end, however, the army was still making sky-blue officers' frocks.

Invalid Corps
A great number of Civil War soldiers were disabled by weapons, disease, and accidents. Initially, the permanently disabled received medical discharges from the army, but later they remained in the service and performed noncombat duties, relieving other soldiers to fight.
In 1862 the Union army allowed chief medical officers to employ "convalescent wounded and feeble men" as nurses, cooks, and hospital attendants and subsequently to organize them into detachments. Unfortunately, these methods were inefficient, and many convalescents did not return to their combat units when well.
Therefore, in Apr. 1863 the U.S. War Department created an Invalid Corps of worthy disabled officers and men who were or had been in the army. Ridicule influenced the corps to exchange its sky blue uniform for one similar to those worn by the other soldiers. The corps formed 2 "battalions," the first for those who could bear arms and perform garrison duty and the second for the severely handicapped fit only for hospital service. Late in the war the surgeon general took command of the second battalion. Like the combat units, the Invalid Corps organized officers and men into companies and regiments.
Renamed the "Veteran Reserve Corps" 18 Mar.1864, it was abolished during summer 1866. Between 1863 and 1866 more than 60,000 individuals served in the organization and performed valuable services, including garrisoning fortifications and quelling an 1863 "Draft Riot" in New York City.
The Confederacy established an Invalid Corps in 1864, in which officers and men disabled in the line of duty had to serve if they wished to receive pay. Also, if their physical condition improved sufficiently, they had to return to their combat unit. Unlike its Union counterpart, the Confederate Invalid Corps never organized companies and regiments, but a high percentage of its officers and men did perform worthwhile duties based on their disabilities and army requirements.
(Source: Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War)

RE: Assassination Trivia - Steve Whitlock - 01-28-2021 01:47 PM

(01-26-2021 05:20 AM)RJNorton Wrote:
(01-25-2021 08:19 PM)Steve Wrote: If Bolton's account is true, why wasn't his statement taken at the time taken about Booth's movements or made to testify at the trial?

Steve, am I reading this correctly...the very first time we hear from Bolton is in 1914 (49 years after the assassination)? If true, I have trouble believing his account. Is there anything from him 1865-1880?

Roger, or anyone,

I see that Mike Kauffman may mention John T. Bolton in his book "American Brutus". Do you have a copy to verify what Mr. Kauffman says about Bolton that might verify his presence at Ford Theatre 14 Apr 1865?

Google says:

American Brutus: John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln ...
http://www.amazon.com › American-Brutus-Wilkes-Lincoln-...
American Brutus: John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln Conspiracies [Kauffman, Michael W.] on ... Right or Wrong, God Judge Me: The Writings of John Wilkes Booth ... Lt. John T. Bolton, 7th V.R.C., managed to get into the president's box. ... I have two kids under the age of four so it's not surprising that I couldn't keep up.

RE: Assassination Trivia - RJNorton - 01-28-2021 02:28 PM

(01-28-2021 01:47 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote: Roger, or anyone,
I see that Mike Kauffman may mention John T. Bolton in his book "American Brutus". Do you have a copy to verify what Mr. Kauffman says about Bolton that might verify his presence at Ford Theatre 14 Apr 1865?

Yes, Mike K. mentions Bolton being at Ford's and in the box, but he includes the following endnote:

"John T. Bolton's recollections were not published until nearly fifty years after the fact, so take them for what they are worth. He appears to be the officer mentioned in several contemporary accounts. Norfolk (Virginia) Ledger-Dispatch January 28, 1911. Hereinafter Bolton, Ledger-Dispatch. Thanks to James O. Hall."

So it looks like Mike was using information very much like the account in Good's book. Good writes, "Bolton's actions in the presidential box cannot be confirmed..."

RE: Assassination Trivia - Steve Whitlock - 01-28-2021 10:30 PM

(01-28-2021 02:28 PM)RJNorton Wrote:
(01-28-2021 01:47 PM)Steve Whitlock Wrote: Roger, or anyone,
I see that Mike Kauffman may mention John T. Bolton in his book "American Brutus". Do you have a copy to verify what Mr. Kauffman says about Bolton that might verify his presence at Ford Theatre 14 Apr 1865?

Yes, Mike K. mentions Bolton being at Ford's and in the box, but he includes the following endnote:

"John T. Bolton's recollections were not published until nearly fifty years after the fact, so take them for what they are worth. He appears to be the officer mentioned in several contemporary accounts. Norfolk (Virginia) Ledger-Dispatch January 28, 1911. Hereinafter Bolton, Ledger-Dispatch. Thanks to James O. Hall."

So it looks like Mike was using information very much like the account in Good's book. Good writes, "Bolton's actions in the presidential box cannot be confirmed..."

I have census records and his 1863 CW Draft Reg in NJ. I will put them here if anyone wants to see them. John T. Bolton was born circa 1838 in NJ and died in Norfolk, VA in 1916. Here are some news clips of interest.

Also, he and wife, Emily, had a daughter who seems to have died before 1900, and no other children. There are only 2 Family Trees that show him, but they know nothing whatsoever about him. He should have living relatives. His brother, Thomas Bolton is in the same CW Draft Reg with him.

The 4th attachment proves Lt John Bolton was in the DC area 3 Mar 1865.

The last attachment may be of interest as the certificate assigning John T. Bolton as a 2nd Lt, signed by Abraham Lincoln. It is from the following:

Lot 380 - Lincoln (Abraham). The Assassination of
Dec 11, 2019 — ... a military commission, appointing John T. Bolton Second Lieutenant in the ... President Lincoln and the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, a little soiling and ... John T. Bolton was a respected soldier who was present when ...
https://www.dominicwinter.co.uk/Auction/Lot/380-Lincoln-Abraham-The-Assassination-of-Abraham-Lincoln-Documents/?lot=353320#
*****************************
There is some writing I can't read vertically in the top left. The whole document is very hard to read, but it is for John T. Bolton assigned 2nd Lt. in Veteran Reserve Corps, 12 May 1864. I can read some of the words in the top left, such as Adjutant General, but I have no idea why the writing is there.
******************************
Something else to consider comes from John T. Bolton's Find-a-grave memorial and the 1890 Vets Schedule.

Capt John T Bolton
Birth 1838
Death 3 Jul 1916 (aged 77–78)
Norfolk City, Virginia, USA
Burial
Forest Lawn Cemetery
Norfolk, Norfolk City, Virginia, USA Show Map
Plot South Center
Memorial ID 93031801 · View Source
Civil War Union Army Officer.
Served during the Civil War in the 28th NJ Infantry, the 10th NJ Infantry and in the 7th Veterans Reserve Corps. He was brevetted Captain, US Volunteers.
On July 3, 1890 he filed for a US Army Invalid Veteran Pension (Application #786265, Certificate #1125763).
On August 5, 1916 his wife, Emily Bolton, filed for a US army Widow's Pension (Application #1070140, Certificate #827185).
Family Members
Spouse
Emily T Bolton
unknown–1926
***********************
John T Bolton
in the 1890 Veterans Schedules of the U.S. Federal Census
Search for John T Bolton in the Civil War Pension Index
Name: John T Bolton
Gender: Male
Rank: Sergeant
Role: Veteran
Residence Date: Jun 1890
Residence Place: Norfolk, Norfolk City, Virginia, USA
Enumeration District: 82
Enlistment Date: 10 Sep 1862
Discharge Date: 1864 [Shows he was wounded in the left leg}
Regiment or Vessel: 28 New Jersey Reg
Company: K
Household:
Name Role
John T Bolton
****************
It seems that Sgt Bolton was wounded severely enough in his left leg to be discharged in 1864, at which time he was made a brevet 2nd Lt and assigned to the 7th Reg. Federal Reserve Corps.

One wonders how bad the leg was, and whether he was able to climb up, with assistance, into the Lincoln theatre box. Perhaps the leg just precluded him marching, or running, in battle; therefore, relegating him to the "Invalid Corps".

Now I'll concentrate on the rest of his story for fact or fiction. There is sufficient probability, for me, he was present in some capacity.

RE: Assassination Trivia - RJNorton - 01-30-2021 05:35 AM

Thanks to Steve Williams for sending this article. Steve writes, "It's the article from page 2 of the 03 March 1865 of the Washington Evening Star about Lt. John Bolton escorting Confederate Prisoners from Old Capitol Prison to Fort Warren in Massachusetts added as an attachment by Steve Whitlock. I thought it would be good for it to be visible to other people who aren't forum members. I would also like to point out that because Lt. Bolton was in command of a movement of prisoners means that he was attached to the Provost Marshal's office when he was in the VRC."

RE: Assassination Trivia - Steve Whitlock - 01-30-2021 11:08 AM

(01-30-2021 05:35 AM)RJNorton Wrote: Thanks to Steve Williams for sending this article. Steve writes, "It's the article from page 2 of the 03 March 1865 of the Washington Evening Star about Lt. John Bolton escorting Confederate Prisoners from Old Capitol Prison to Fort Warren in Massachusetts added as an attachment by Steve Whitlock. I thought it would be good for it to be visible to other people who aren't forum members. I would also like to point out that because Lt. Bolton was in command of a movement of prisoners means that he was attached to the Provost Marshal's office when he was in the VRC."

When I added the promotion document from Lot 380 for some reason I missed this writeup:

Lincoln (Abraham, 1809-1865). Document signed 'Abraham Lincoln', Washington, 1 August 1864, a military commission, appointing John T. Bolton Second Lieutenant in the Veteran Reserve Corps, printed on vellum with engraved eagle at head and military apparatus at foot, wafer seal to left margin, manuscript insertions, signed by President Lincoln and the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, a little soiling and slightly heavier on folds, approximately 48 x 40 cm, together with two similar military commissions on vellum, appointing John T. Bolton to First Lieutenant 'For gallant and meritorious services during the [American Civil] war', 10 May 1866, and Captain, 13 March 1867, both with stamped signatures of President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, the first with circular brown stain at head, plus an earlier commission appointing First Sargeant in Company K of the 28th Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers, 15 September 1862, signed by the commanding officer W.V. Wisewell, printed on paper with manuscript insertions, some overall browning and creasing, approximately 25 x 38 cm, plus (Oldroyd Osborn H), The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Flight, Pursuit, Capture, and Punishment of the Conspirators, with an Introduction by T.M Harris, Washington: O.H. Oldroyd, 1901, illustrations from photographs, advert leaf and folding map at rear some soiling to first few leaves, frontispiece and title-page slightly creased, original cloth gilt, slightly rubbed, 8vo, plus a typed letter signed from Oldroyd to Captain John T. Bolton, Washington, 28 March 1914, beginning 'Mr H.H. Rumble of your city visited my Collection in this House in which Abraham Lincoln died and informed me that you were on duty at Ford's Theatre on the night of the Assassination', and hoping Bolton might write his recollections of that event to place in the collection, some light browning and creasing, one page, 8vo, the five documents matted in heavy card mounts with an additional printed contents list and contained with the inset book in a bespoke brown half morocco clam shell book box, the spine gilt-titled 'The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln Documents', overall 68 x 54 cm

(Qty: 1)

John T. Bolton was a respected soldier who was present when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. It is understood from the family that he had applied for a position in the President's personal security team and that this was being considered at the time of the assassination. Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, an actor and Confederate sympathiser on 14 April 1865 and died the following day.
********************************
When considering John T. Bolton we must also consider his statement in 1914 was just short of 50 years after the fact, and he died 2 years later. What was his health (There is a private family nurse living with the family in the 1910 census), and mental state, like in 1914 at age 76? After looking over his statement again, and comparing with those of Dr. Leale and Dr. Taft there is enough similarity to believe he was the Federal Reserve soldier who came into the Lincoln box mentioned by Clara Harris, and later by Dr. Taft at the Peterson House.

I would definitely like to communicate with the family referred to in the description of Lot 380. They might have more proof.

RE: Assassination Trivia - Steve - 02-01-2021 03:29 PM

I just realized another problem with Bolton's 1911 account. He said saloonkeeper "Bill" Ferguson (presumably meaning James P. Ferguson, but confusing/conflating him with William J. Ferguson who was performing in the play that night) arose from his seat in the orchestra section, shouting that President had been shot. According to his trial testimony, James Ferguson was sitting in the Dress Circle opposite of the President, not in the Orchestra section.

RE: Assassination Trivia - RJNorton - 02-01-2021 04:20 PM

Dave Taylor has a very interesting page on James Ferguson ("saloon keeper, key assassination witness, Nicaraguan mercenary, and creepy adopted father/husband") here:

https://lincolnconspirators.com/2017/04/06/the-hidden-history-of-james-p-ferguson/

RE: Assassination Trivia - RJNorton - 02-02-2021 04:18 PM

What is this man's name?