"Stump the Yankee"

[J. Beckert]

No hidden meaning, Laurie - just noting your Rebel sinews! I think I'll end your guessing misery right now. You were on the right track and were making me nervous. As usual, I was expecting the worst. Here's what I found in "John Wilkes Booth in the Pennsylvania Oil Region" By they way - thanks for hooking me up with that!

In June, 1865, Mrs. Sarah Webber took in a boarder calling himself Joseph Woods. He stayed in the same room JWB rented from her while in Franklin, Pa. for his oil speculations. Her daughter entered his room one morning and noticed he'd left his nightshirt out of his satchel. She noticed a tag with his real name on the shirt - Joseph Booth, JWB's younger brother. Excuse me while I adjust the score.....

Rebels 11
Yankee 4

That's better.

The most interesting points of the book are the interviews with people that got to know Booth. One young man who had many dealings with Booth eventually came to avoid him. Just because of his glare. He said when Booth looked at you, it was as if he was looking right through you.