Booth's Mental health

[Rick Smith]

(07-25-2015 06:11 PM)Pamela Wrote:  As a doctor in that era, would Mudd have likely given Booth whiskey for pain or would he have had a drug for that purpose? Mudd went to town supposedly to buy calico, if I remember right. Could he have gone to buy whiskey for Booth? Also, Davey Herold parted company with Booth for a while and went off with the Confederate soldiers, is that right? Could he have gone to buy whiskey for Booth?

While resting at Mudd's, Booth asked for brandy, but was told by Mrs. Mudd there was none in the house. She offered him whiskey, but he declined it.

While at Locust Hill Farm, the Garrett place, Herold and Booth did part company. Herold went to Bowling Green with Willie Jett, Absalom Bainbridge and Mortimer Ruggles, saying that he wanted to get his shoes repaired. I doubt that he had money to buy much whiskey. I am not sure if Herold did get his shoes repaired, but he did meet Mrs. Carter and her daughters.

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(07-25-2015 03:16 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I have never seen mention of that, but would think they did not take anything except what might be stuffed in pockets. Anything heavy would be difficult on horseback. Also, remember that they purchased milk(?) and bread from Swann(?) before asking him to take them to Cox. Cox and Jones both fed them. I can't imagine that Jones - who had a large family to feed - could afford to supply the fugitives with much, especially liquor.

On a different note, I would not judge the words that Booth wrote while in hiding to be those of a man high on liquor or even one in withdrawal. His writing is legible, his thoughts logical (albeit dramatic), no signs of a shaking hand from DTs, etc.

Booth and Herold also got milk and bread from Colonel J. Hughes near Indiantown. I believe that Booth asked for something stronger to drink but was told by Hughes that he kept no whiskey.