Thomas F. Harney

[Gene C]

I am more inclined to believe O'Laughlen came to DC with his friends to celebrate the end of the war. As a former confederate, and growining up in Baltimore, it might be better for him to celebrate out of town. The friends also make it more difficult for Booth to speak to him privately, and give him a reason why he can't participate in Booth's crazy scheme. What is O'Laughlins motive for going along with Booth, now that he war is over? This was an ill conceived plot from the beginning, and now the success of escaping safely is not very good. Kidnapping the president and holding him for ransom to free POW's is one thing, murder is something worse. The war is over, there is no glory in ringing a doorbelll and shooting an unarmed man, even if it's Stanton. I think O'Laughlin was slightly brighter than Herold & Paine. He quit once before. I don't think Booth has anything to offer him as to why he should get further involved.

I have not read enough of the trial transcripts to comment on what eye witnesses said. I have read that a few of these witnesses called to testify against some of the conspirators gave questionalbe testimony.