A Different Viewpoint of Lew Powell's Character

[BettyO]

Hi Betty. I told Jim the same thing you just mentioned. I thought maybe it was just my eyes. I did try to enlarge it on my computer and it became really blurry. Does anyone on the forum have the know-how to enlarge it and still keep it clear?

Unfortunately, it depends on the resolution at which it was scanned and saved. If it was "shrunk" to go onto the forum...that is as high a resolution that you will get and it will be "pixilated" and non readable....it has to be at a good resolution (150-300) to be viewed (or printed) properly....

[RJNorton]

Jim just sent a much larger image of the trial card. Thank you, Jim!

[Julie-the-Cheesehead]

Thank you for enlarging that pass card! It is fascinating. So the five ladies did not have to get a pass for themselves?

[MaddieM]

I have a question. The incident where Powell beat up on the maid. What was that all about? Seems to go against his character, and he was not on 'orders' on that occasion? Any theories on that?

[BettyO]

Maddie -

This will all come on in the 2nd Edition of Alias Paine - I have new information that there was more to that particular affair than appears on the surface -

It was definitely against his character. Powell would NOT have touched a lady in such a violent manner (remember that he did not touch or harm Fanny Seward); but one must also remember that a servant (as well as a lower class female, whether white, black, or prostitute) was not classed as a "lady" but as a woman. A woman was not considered in the same manner as a lady. Although it is totally wrong for any man to strike a female, Lew was from a society in which, unfortunately, certain women were considered not on an equal social level with ladies and therefore it was considered "OK" to have an altercation with them. Not our way of thinking today. Unfortunately this happened a lot in 19th Century America - not only in the South, but also in the North as well....

[Claudine]

I have a question. The incident where Powell beat up on the maid. What was that all about? Seems to go against his character, and he was not on 'orders' on that occasion? Any theories on that?

Hey MaddieM! Chapter 6 of Betty Ownsbeys Alias Paine deals with the incident. Quoted testimonies by Maggie Branson and another guest of the Branson house state that the maid insulted Powell because she refused to clean up his room. (Alias Paine, p. 45-46) - Well, this incident leaves a lot of space for speculation: maybe this was correct and Powell acted impulsive and hotheaded because of her refusal; or maybe the maid overheard a conspicious conversation; or, as Betty Ownsbey speculates, the maid "had known of an intimicay between Lewis and Mary." (Alias Paine,p. 46)

(My very first post on this forum. - Hello to everyone of you! Greetings from Germany!)

[Gene C]

Betty, does this mean we have to wait (and heaven forbid, buy another book before we find out the answer?

I'll guess that there was no love lost between the maid and Lewis, and she antagonized him knowing he was on parole and if he messed up could get put in prison or...

she was a secret agent working for Lafayette Baker trying to root out confederate couriers and spies in the Baltimore area or....

it was really Lewis' identical cousin "Louis" who attacked the servent or

it never even happened and the servent accused Lewis of something he didn't do in retaliation of him rejecting her advances or....

it was a total misunderstanding, he was trying to kill the bee that was buzzing around her and accidently hit her by mistake, or...

she burned his toast, and back talked him, so she got what she deserved (according to him) or

he was waiting for Rob Wick's new book to come out, and could no longer stand the waiting.







.

[Laurie Verge]

Now, Gene...

You are starting to sound like Bill O'Reilly by throwing every possible scenario or other writers' opinions into the pot hoping to make a tasty stew!

Seriously, maids of any background could be/still are "snippy" on occasion. Unfortunately, they are often very aware of what is REALLY going on around them. We have no idea what caused the altercation or what words were exchanged, but I bet there is sufficient guilt on both sides.

And, Betty is correct. Society before the mid-1900s had strict class lines, and gender did not prevent a "woman" from being shown her bounds.

[BettyO]

Betty, does this mean we have to wait (and heaven forbid, buy another book before we find out the answer?

I'll guess that there was no love lost between the maid and Lewis, and she antagonized him knowing he was on parole and if he messed up could get put in prison or...

she was a secret agent working for Lafayette Baker trying to root out confederate couriers and spies in the Baltimore area or....

it was really Lewis' identical cousin "Louis" who attacked the servent or

it never even happened and the servent accused Lewis of something he didn't do in retaliation of him rejecting her advances or....

it was a total misunderstanding, he was trying to kill the bee that was buzzing around her and accidently hit her by mistake, or...

she burned his toast, and back talked him, so she got what she deserved (according to him) or

he was waiting for Rob Wick's new book to come out, and could no longer stand the waiting.


Gene -

You, sir are a TRIP!! HA!




.

---

I have a question. The incident where Powell beat up on the maid. What was that all about? Seems to go against his character, and he was not on 'orders' on that occasion? Any theories on that?

Hey MaddieM! Chapter 6 of Betty Ownsbeys Alias Paine deals with the incident. Quoted testimonies by Maggie Branson and another guest of the Branson house state that the maid insulted Powell because she refused to clean up his room. (Alias Paine, p. 45-46) - Well, this incident leaves a lot of space for speculation: maybe this was correct and Powell acted impulsive and hotheaded because of her refusal; or maybe the maid overheard a conspicious conversation; or, as Betty Ownsbey speculates, the maid "had known of an intimicay between Lewis and Mary." (Alias Paine,p. 46)

(My very first post on this forum. - Hello to everyone of you! Greetings from Germany!)

Hey, Claudine!

Thanks for the notes from my book -- I was at work and couldn't get to my copy.

Unfortunately, my publisher won't let me divulge info as of yet -- suffice it to say that it was a combination of ALL of the above - I have lots of new information and will reveal it soon! Let's just say that I have a lot of surprises in store....

Welcome aboard, Claudine! We're glad you're here!

[MaddieM]

Betty, does this mean we have to wait (and heaven forbid, buy another book before we find out the answer?

I'll guess that there was no love lost between the maid and Lewis, and she antagonized him knowing he was on parole and if he messed up could get put in prison or...

she was a secret agent working for Lafayette Baker trying to root out confederate couriers and spies in the Baltimore area or....

it was really Lewis' identical cousin "Louis" who attacked the servent or

it never even happened and the servent accused Lewis of something he didn't do in retaliation of him rejecting her advances or....

it was a total misunderstanding, he was trying to kill the bee that was buzzing around her and accidently hit her by mistake, or...

she burned his toast, and back talked him, so she got what she deserved (according to him) or

he was waiting for Rob Wick's new book to come out, and could no longer stand the waiting.


Gene -

You, sir are a TRIP!! HA!




.

---

I have a question. The incident where Powell beat up on the maid. What was that all about? Seems to go against his character, and he was not on 'orders' on that occasion? Any theories on that?

Hey MaddieM! Chapter 6 of Betty Ownsbeys Alias Paine deals with the incident. Quoted testimonies by Maggie Branson and another guest of the Branson house state that the maid insulted Powell because she refused to clean up his room. (Alias Paine, p. 45-46) - Well, this incident leaves a lot of space for speculation: maybe this was correct and Powell acted impulsive and hotheaded because of her refusal; or maybe the maid overheard a conspicious conversation; or, as Betty Ownsbey speculates, the maid "had known of an intimicay between Lewis and Mary." (Alias Paine,p. 46)

(My very first post on this forum. - Hello to everyone of you! Greetings from Germany!)

Hey, Claudine!

Thanks for the notes from my book -- I was at work and couldn't get to my copy.

Unfortunately, my publisher won't let me divulge info as of yet -- suffice it to say that it was a combination of ALL of the above - I have lots of new information and will reveal it soon! Let's just say that I have a lot of surprises in store....

Welcome aboard, Claudine! We're glad you're here!

you mean we have to wait ? Fiddledee!

On a more serious note... it must have been something pretty provoking to induce such a reaction from Powell. I have a feeling it's not something so petty as just giving a bit of lip. Sounds more like trying to put the fear of God into her.

[Gene C]

BettyO wrote -- " Unfortunately, my publisher won't let me divulge info as of yet -- suffice it to say that it was a combination of ALL of the above"


I knew it, I was right.....sort of. I won't say anymore, I don't want to ruin the surprise, and no one will be more surprised than me!
Do we have a release date yet? In time for the Christmas holidays?