Dramatic Oil Company

[Rob Wick]

One of the last things Ida Tarbell tried to publish was a story about John Wilkes Booth and the Dramatic Oil Company which he formed along with John Ellsler and Thomas Mears. Tarbell collected information about it throughout the years and wrote to George S. Bryan among others, trying to find out information. I know that Ed Steers and Mike Kauffman mention it in their books, but not in great detail. I'm wondering if anyone is aware of any book-length treatments or anyone who is currently researching this question? Of course, I've got Tarbell's material which will form the nucleus of what will be a chapter of its own, but I would like to see what others might have turned up or what others might say.

By the way, Tarbell's article "A Neglected Episode in the History of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln" appears to have been rejected by the New York Times in 1941. By this point, Tarbell was well past her prime and in three years, would die at the age of 86. Her papers show that article, plus two others, both of which total 80 pages on Booth. She was also interested in whether or not it was Booth who scratched "Abe Lincoln Departed This Life August 13th, 1864 By The Effects of Poison" in a window at the McHenry House in Meadville, Penn., where Allegheny College is located, which was Tarbell's alma mater.

Best
Rob