Eckert and Powell

[BettyO]

(07-10-2012 07:37 AM)J. Beckert Wrote:  I think the bonnet proves that he may have, Betty and I hope some more things eventually turn up. Acquiring souvenirs was very prominent it seems right up into this century. I've heard women were dipping their handkerchiefs and men broke off pieces of their straw hats to dip in Dillinger's blood after he was shot in 1934. I'm sure things were even worse in Lincoln's time. I can't think of anything associated that wasn't torn to shreds for this sake. Ford's and everything within, Petersen's, even the gallows, rope, etc. were hacked up and taken. I'm sure those closely associated with the proceedings got more than their share.

I have a newspaper article which DOES state that Powell's slouch hat, which was found by Fanny Seward on the floor of Seward's bedroom, was still in the government hands at the Turn of the 20th Century -- so maybe it's tucked away somewhere in the NPS Vault. Sometimes I don't think that they KNOW just what they have. Dave Taylor says that things there get lost, mislabeled, etc. Seeing how they put Lewis Powell's saddle together wrong on recent display only seems to confirm the story!