Herold and Surratt

[RJNorton]

Very interesting, Pam. If not Booth, is it possible Mary herself sent him the telegram? I find the April 11th trip very interesting. Many books imply that Booth made the decision to assassinate Lincoln on the night of the 11th after hearing Lincoln's final speech. But, Mary and Louis Weichmann were already on the road at 9 A.M. that morning on their way to Surrattsville. During this trip, according to Lloyd, Mrs. Surratt told him the "shooting irons" would be needed soon. So I am thinking Booth may have already changed plans before Lincoln's speech. (?) It also seems that Weichmann could take off work almost at will as she had asked him the night of the 10th if he could take her the next day. He said "yes." Did he call in sick?

Booth's "activities" involving John Surratt at this time are very interesting. According to Kate Larson's book JWB told both David Herold and George Atzerodt that John Surratt was in Washington on the 14th. The assumption is that both Herold and Atzerodt thought Surratt was in town to assist with the plot.