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J. Beckert · 07-17-2013, 10:43 AM

I know Coyle made that statement, but he also stated he was given a letter by Booth. At dinner with several others in Wormley's Restaurant, he recounted meeting Booth on the 14th. after they were told Lincoln had been shot by Booth.

"My God, gentlemen, this very day I met John Wilkes Booth in the market space. He was on a bay mare, and rode up to me and handed me a sealed envelope, saying, as he did so: "If you hear of me in 24 hours, publish this. If you do not hear of me in that time destroy this." and he rode away". He said it was then decided to burn the letter without opening it. He stated the doors were locked, the letter was burned in the fireplace and the ashes were collected and mixed with water.

I don't know much about Coyle, but I've heard it said his story is very suspect.

RJNorton · 07-18-2013, 01:31 PM

(07-17-2013 10:43 AM)J. Beckert Wrote: I don't know much about Coyle, but I've heard it said his story is very suspect.

I agree, Joe...something is not right here. If we take everyone at their word then we have 3 Booth letters written on the 14th. Two got burned, and the third one never surfaced (at least to my knowledge). Plus we have the huge embellishment of what Mathews said was in the letter during that 1881 interview he did with Philadelphia journalist Frank A. Burr.