Grant and Lincoln's invitation

[RJNorton]

I will offer a long shot possibility. Kees indicated the New York Times reported that the Grants checked in at the Willard during the afternoon of the 13th and were going to stay several days. But they left the next day, and the question is why. I will ask - is it conceivable Julia Grant observed something at the Stantons' reception that scared her? At the trial the prosecution tried to show that Michael O'Laughlen was a "mysterious man" who showed up at Stantons' door during the reception. Three witnesses testified the strange man asked for Stanton and Grant.

Michael Kauffman writes, "Mike O'Laughlen had gone to Stanton's house on the night of the thirteenth, and prosecutors alleged he was lying in wait for the secretary's guest, General Grant."

Here is the testimony of one of these witnesses (from Poore):

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JOHN C. HATTER

a witness called for the prosecution, being duly sworn, testified as follows:—

By the JUDGE ADVOCATE:

Q. Will you state whether or not you know the prisoner O’Laughlin?
A. I know a man by that name.
Q. Do you recognize him here?
A. It is that man sitting back there [pointing to the prisoner O’Laughlin].
Q. Will you state whether you saw him on the 13th of April last? and if so, where, and under what circumstances?
A. I saw him on the night of the illumination—I suppose it was the night General Grant came from the front—at Secretary Stanton’s house.
Q. What occurred there between you and him? What was said?
A. I was standing on the steps, looking at the illumination; and this man [O’Laughlin] approached me, and asked me if General Grant was in. I told him he was. He said he wished to see him. Said I, “This is no occasion for you to see him. If you wish to see him step out on the pavement, or on the stone where the carriage stops, and you can see him.”
Q. What time of night was it?
A. I should judge it was about nine o’clock: it may have been a little after nine.
Q. Was that all that occurred between you?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. He did not go in the house, or attempt to go in?
A. No, sir.
Q. Was he on the steps of Mr. Stanton’s house?
A. Yes, sir: I was standing on the top step.
Q. Was he on the top step also?
A. Yes, sir: he was on the steps, I should judge about two steps below me; which brought him, I believe, about the third step from the pavement.
Q. Did he leave the steps while you were there?
A. He left the step after I spoke to him. He was talking: but I did not understand what he was saying. He walked off away from the step towards the tree-box. He seemed to reflect over something, and came back, and walked off; and then I turned my eyes off him, and did not see him any more.
Q. Was the house illuminated?
A. Yes, sir: the house was lit up from the inside; and it was pretty light outside too.

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Like I said I am really "stretching" here. But could it be possible Julia either saw the mysterious stranger asking for her husband or one (or more) of the 3 men who testified at the trial told her about the incident if she didn't personally see it? Could this have caused Julia to suddenly feel fear and want to leave town as soon as possible?