Mary Surratt's Denial of Lewis Powell

[BettyO]

(08-08-2012 11:05 AM)MaddieM Wrote:  I hope I have this in the right section, forgive me if I don't.

The night that Lewis Powell turned up at Mary Surratt's Boarding house masquerading as a labourer, I've always wondered why she denied knowing him so emphatically! Was she covering her own back? Trying to protect him? Bit of both? It seems an odd thing to do. Surely, she would realise the situation and admit hiring him? Or did she think he'd been picked up at random and was trying to deny knowledge of him to protect him? He seemed mighty protective of her. Did she betray him, or try to protect him?

I think that yes, emphatically that Mrs Surratt KNEW who Lew Powell was. She knew the boy's voice as well as his appearance (who could forget those eyes!) At any rate, I'd bet dimes to donuts that she knew him and denied knowing him as she knew that he had been involved in the kidnap plot which in a round about way would tie him in with the assassination. So, yes, she denied knowing him. Lew felt very badly about going back to her house and more than likely incriminating her. He was remorseful about all that had transpired from the attack on Seward including Mrs. Surratt's possible incrimination from his involvement in the kidnap plot. She was a woman and he, as a gentleman, held women in high esteem and regard. I also think that he saw her as a possible "mother figure." He would therefore not want to think that he had any hand in her doom.