The Lincoln Traveler

[Eva Elisabeth]

(06-03-2016 05:13 PM)Thomas Kearney Wrote:  

(06-03-2016 03:10 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Thomas, in the video you make some claims that were new to me and I am curious as for from what sources exactly they come from - I'd love to read these.

1. E.g. that Booth barred the presidential box’s hallway door with a piece from a piano bench - all I've remember reading so far is that it was from a wooden music stand. Where does the piano bench "origin"?

2. As for  Baptist Alley, you claim (there's a pamphlet) that Booth had to dismount and unlatch a gate at the F Street opening to the Alley in order to enter, and that, when escaping this, he supposedly by-passed the gate by turning right, exiting onto 9th Street.

I've never read this either (but admittedly am no expert). Is there any written source as for the gate? I'd like to read and learn more. (Where did you get the information from otherwise?) It seems amazing that it's not more "commonly" told. Didn't he turn left at all?

Thanks for any further information and enlightenment on this!!

Eva,

The alley part is in the author's note at the beginning of Jim Bishop's classic "The Day Lincoln Was Shot" so I was able to draw from the description of how the alley looked in 1865. Booth likely made a right turn onto 9th Street. As for the piano bench, that is a mystery. I'll have to look into it.

Thank you, Thomas - I cannot believe it, I overlooked or forgot to read this preface!!! I would have highlighted this point, but the preface is all virgin! And this is even one of my favorite books!

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(06-04-2016 06:56 AM)Wild Bill Wrote:  What does this say about Mike Kauffman's contention that Booth broke his leg in a fall with his horse after leaving Washington? Food for thought. Getting on his cayuse with a broken leg is one thing but having to dismount to open a gate is quite another. As for doing it while mounted, has anyone tried that with a spooky broomtail in a narrow alley? Getting his horse to approach such a gate might have been problematic.

IMO it would have born the risk to waste precious time at all with a "spooky broomtail". Horeses smell excitement (Booth certainly was), and this would have increased her nervousness and make her more difficult to handle in such tasks.