General Martin D. Hardin at the conspirators execution ?

[Linda Anderson]

Great find, John! He looks like General Hardin to me.

I remember something about Hardin and a newspaper interview many years later but I can't remember if he gave it himself or someone else was talking about him.

I found Henry Harrison Atwater's account in several newspaper articles dated April 11, 1915 that John discovered a while back. Harrison was on the monitor when Fanny came aboard with her brother Gus and General Hardin, among others.

"While Payne was confined on the monitor Miss Seward, daughter of the Secretary, escorted by General Hardin, my old commander at Fort Reno, came down to identify Payne, who, it will be remembered, rushed past her and into Secretary Seward's room, where he committed the murderous deed."

According to an article by Dr. Verdi, who was also present, Fanny did not identify Payne (Powell) but Gus did.