New Eyewitness Account?

[John Fazio]

While interesting, I am somewhat skeptical of the account. The letter is dated April 21, 1865 and references a Harper's Weekly "description." The first account of Lincoln's assassination did not appear in that paper until April 29th.

I am somewhat skeptical, too, Bill. It’s hard for me to see him getting close enough to see the wounded President's head on Laura Keene’s lap. IMO, it sounds like the “rubber room” concept applied to the State Box.

Harper's Weekly issues were postdated to increase sales, like some magazines and comic books are today. Publishers are afraid issues with dates already past wouldn't sell anymore, I guess. Harper's Weekly was postdated 10 days at the time, so the issue actually came out on April 19, before the letter was written.

Steve:

An excellent observation. We need to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water. I have seen example after example of dogged research confirming the truth of events as originally reported and later said to be false by those who rejected tradition too quickly and too easily.

John