The Reason Lincoln Had to Die

[RJNorton]

The book has a different take on Powell yelling "I'm mad! I'm mad."

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Now engaged with two men Powell's attack seemed hopeless. At close range in the well-lit hallway Augustus stared into the face of the assassin. Powell hollered to his secret accomplice (who was also close by within the house), "I'm made! I'm made!" Then, breaking away from Augustus and Robinson, Powell charged down the stairs and disappeared out the door.

Margaret Coleman was the chamber maid at Mr. Seward's home, and she was Powell's secret accomplice in Seward's assassination attempt. It was Margaret Coleman who had been hired by Baker and Stanton to pose as an ally to Booth and Powell. She was the one who informed Booth about Mr. Seward's doctor, she told him what medicine Powell should bring, what Powell should say, and also described the layout of the house, including which bedroom was Mr. Seward's on the third floor.

Augustus Seward had misunderstood Powell's Alabama drawl when he heard him call out, as saying, "I'm mad! I'm mad!" while Powell struggled to break free from the army Major. Powell was actually hollering to Margaret Coleman that he had been made"”clearly seen. He had lost his hat and his face had been seen, and he knew he could now be identified.