Booth in the Finger Lakes

[L Verge]

Bill and I had the opportunity (if that is the correct term) to read Mr. Stelnick's original manuscript for DR about four years ago. At that time, it was about 400 pages. I understand that the final copy - that is only available on Kindle - is over 500. I have no intentions of checking that out -- once was enough.

It was the most convoluted, confusing, confounding piece of work that I think I have ever read. There were some pages that I had to re-read in order to figure out what was being said. Much of this, however, can be blamed on the author's style and his never-ending desire to throw every little tidbit of history into the work (I suspect to try and show people how intelligent he was).

He did not take kindly to suggestions or comments. Questions were usually answered with words to the effect that "it's all there in the sources I listed." The only problem was that the sources were not made available. To this day, I don't believe that we have proof that some of the important citations even exist.

That said, IF (and that's a big IF) his claims and suppositions could be backed up with heavy primary source material, it would give us much to digest and rethink.

[RJNorton]

(04-16-2014 12:49 PM)HerbS Wrote:  It has now passed Lake Tahoe in property value! Canandaigua is a very beautiful town in the Finger Lakes.The Seneca's called it,"The Chosen Spot".

Canandaigua Easter link to Lincoln's assassination?

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/stor...d/7788263/

[HerbS]

Thanks-Roger!

[Anita]

(04-18-2014 09:19 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Canandaigua Easter link to Lincoln's assassination?

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/stor...d/7788263/

Canandaigua Easter link to Lincoln's assassination?

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/stor...d/7788263/
[/quote]

Roger, the article in the above link re: Surratt states "On Saturday, April 15, he heard the news of Lincoln's assassination. He decided to leave quickly, but before he did, he sent a telegram to Booth, thinking he might have been in New York City. Just as the telegraph operator sent the message, Surratt heard more news. Four women in the hotel lobby were saying, "That actor Booth ... killed the President." Surratt panicked. He tried to cancel the telegram, but it had already moved across the wires.

Is there a record of this telegram?

[RJNorton]

(04-20-2014 02:27 PM)Anita Wrote:  Roger, the article in the above link re: Surratt states "On Saturday, April 15, he heard the news of Lincoln's assassination. He decided to leave quickly, but before he did, he sent a telegram to Booth, thinking he might have been in New York City. Just as the telegraph operator sent the message, Surratt heard more news. Four women in the hotel lobby were saying, "That actor Booth ... killed the President." Surratt panicked. He tried to cancel the telegram, but it had already moved across the wires.

Is there a record of this telegram?

Hi Anita. I do not know. If there were a record of this I would guess it would have been submitted by the defense in his 1867 civil trial. A good part of that trial dealt with Surratt's whereabouts - Elmira or Washington at the time of the assassination - and a telegram such as that would have been valuable to the defense IMO. It would show not only was Surratt not in Washington but also he was ignorant of Booth being the assassin (if he thought Booth might be in New York). Maybe someone else will know if this telegram was used as evidence in his trial.

[HerbS]

After two days of searching John Surratt's trial records.John does state that he did send a telegraph to John Wilkes Booth.He changed his mind and wrote to JWB,he reached for it,and the telegraph operator snatched it and said,"We must file all telegrams"! So Surratt left,and stated," that telegraph never could be found".Same-with Hotel Ledgers that he signed as,"John Harrison".

[Anita]

(04-21-2014 09:39 AM)HerbS Wrote:  After two days of searching John Surratt's trial records.John does state that he did send a telegraph to John Wilkes Booth.He changed his mind and wrote to JWB,he reached for it,and the telegraph operator snatched it and said,"We must file all telegrams"! So Surratt left,and stated," that telegraph never could be found".Same-with Hotel Ledgers that he signed as,"John Harrison".

I wondered about those hotel ledgers also. Did they attempt to locate the telegraph operator? It appears that there is no paper trail but only "eye witness" testimony placing Surratt out of Washington at the time of or just prior to the assassination.

[HerbS]

Everything is one big Mystery! I have found,after chasing John Surratt for years-He was slick!But,how did he and JWB become such "experts" in this geographic area?-Help from,Sympathizers and Copperheads?

[RJNorton]

Herb, thank you for doing all that research! Much appreciated. I have pretty much decided to go with the majority and place John Surratt in Elmira, not Washington. However, the fact that certain evidence has disappeared continues to intrigue me. Thanks again, Herb.

[HerbS]

Thanks-Roger-I do want him to be in Canandaguia for local history and intrigue!

[HerbS]

Today was a Senior Citizen Lunch Day.The person whose ancestor had a cottage next to JWB was there and provided letters about JWB being there.She showed me where her uncle would write about JWB always writing as he looked in the window at JWB.

[L Verge]

Herb,

Were the letters dated, or have you found a definite time that Booth was staying in Canandaguia?

[HerbS]

Laurie,Yes the letters were dated!JWB was there at different times-usually-late Spring and Summer.He was there in 1863 and 1864.At that time,the area was very remote and his "cottage" was next to some very high cliffs.Today that area is still somewhat remote,but very expensive!Now,they have condos and an elevator for the cliffs to the beach and marina.Our next bit of research will be to find out who the landowners were and are.It seems like no one wants it known that JWB stayed here.

[HerbS]

I feel that it's now time to sit down and try to figure out,Is this-despite the letters-Fact,Folklore,or Legend?My next quest is to go to the County Clerk's Office and research the deeds of that time.