Mask For Treason

[BettyO]

Quote:Apparently Lewis Paine (whom Shelton feels was framed) was allowed to keep his penknife (Shelton calls it a jack-knife) throughout his incarceration/trial.

I seriously doubt that Powell kept a penknife with him throughout his trial - or that any of the prisoners kept anything which could be used as a weapon; irregardless of what Shelton said. The prisoners were allowed their own clothing and a change of clothing (Powell was denied even keeping his own personal effects for definite reasons of identification) and they were only allowed a change of underclothing, clean socks and handkerchiefs. Powell had one possession which he cherished - a little pin cushion which his mother had made for him as part of his army "housewife" kit when he joined up in 1861. He carried that thing all through the war and yes, it was in his pocket when he attacked Seward and when he was captured. This precious memento of his mom was taken away as evidence number 13, and was later returned to him. It was said that he begged and plead for the pincushion to be returned. The penknife, was more or less, I believe given back to him on the day before or the day of the hanging. I seriously doubt that he would have had this in his pocket while in the courtroom or in his cell. Just my thoughts.