Extra Credit Questions

[Eva Elisabeth]

Brilliant, Laurie! The photo, taken in 1937, shows the barracks at Veroli, Italy, from where John Surrat purportedly escaped arrest by Papal authorities, surviving a 100-foot drop. In 1867, the towers weren't connected by a wall, but by a low balustrade.

On November 6, 1866, Lieutenant-Colonel Allet of the Commanding Zouave Battalion, Velletri, was instructed to "cause the arrest of the Zouave Watson (alias John Surratt), and have him conducted, under secure escort, to the military prison at Rome. It is of much importance that this order be executed with exactness."

The following day, Lieutenant-Colonel Allet telegraphed as follows:

"Pontifical Zouaves, Battalion Headquarters,
Velletri, November 7, 1866.
His Excellency, the General-Minister of War, Rome.
General: I have the honor to inform you that the Zouave John Watson has been arrested at Veroli, and will be taken tomorrow morning, under good escort, to Rome. While he was searched for at Trisulti, which was his garrison, he was arrested by Captain De Lambilly, at Veroli, where he was on leave.
I have the honor to be. General, your Excellency's Very humble and obedient servant, Lieut.-Col. Allet."

...and another day later:

"Velletri, 8.35 a. m., November 8 1866.
His Excellency, the General-Minister of War, Rome:
I received the following telegram from Captain Lambilly: At the moment of leaving the prison, surrounded by six men as guards, Watson plunged into the ravine, more than a hundred feet deep, which defends the prison. Fifty Zouaves are in pursuit.
Lieut.-Colonel Allet."

At four o'clock on the morning of the 8th of November a sergeant and six men knocked at the gate of the Velletri prison, which opens on a platform which overlooks the country. A balustrade prevents promenaders from falling on the rocks, situated at least thirty-five feet below. After leaving the gate of the prison Surratt made a leap and cast himself into the void, landing on a ledge of rocks projecting from the face of the mountain, where he might have been seriously injured, but gained the depths of the valley. The refuse from the barracks accumulated on the rock, and in this manner his fall was broken. Had he leaped a little farther he would have fallen into an abyss. Patrols were immediately organized, but in vain. He was tracked from Velletri to Sora and Naples, stopping at the latter place for a few days, when he left on the steamer Tripoli for Alexandria, Egypt, under the name of Walters.

(Osborn H. Oldroyd: "The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln," pp. 230-232.)

Laurie, one prize matching the question would be a free bungee jump, but I'm afraid you wouldn't appreciate it. Allora ti auguro solamente una splendida giornata - so I just wish you a wonderful day!