Bang! The Curse of John Wilkes Booth....

[BettyO]

OK --

Back in January 1980, Joan Chaconas came down to Richmond and we went to Norfolk to visit John Wilkes Booth IV. This gentleman lived at the Norfolk VA Hospital and had contacted the Surratt Society to say that he was the grandson of the original John Wilkes Booth. He also told us that he "wrote a little."

Joan and I drove the 2 hours down to Norfolk from Richmond and finally found the hospital. Mr. Booth was a small, gentle looking man and we spent about an hour or two talking to him. As we were getting ready to go, he placed a notebook in Joan's hands and told her that he wanted her to have a "sample" of his writings....

We piled back into my car for the trip back to Richmond. As we were driving along Interstate 64, I asked Joan to read what he had written in the notebook he had given her. It was a book of poems. Joan opened the book and began to read. Suddenly she slammed the book shut with a gasped "My goodness!" and a strange look on her face.

I asked what was wrong?

Joan turned to me with a shocked look and said, "Pornography!"

It was a book of filthy writings! Obviously this Mr. Booth had a lively imagination enough to rival the REAL Mr. Booth!