Booth's diary and missing pages

[CJSchoonover]

Thanks Roger!

When the FBI examined it in the 80's or 90's did they come up with anything?

Cal, Ed Steers discusses this in Lincoln Legends: Myths, Hoaxes, and Confabulations Associated with Our Greatest President. Go here.

[brtmchl]

Maybe the missing pages were simply autographs or love letters to Booth's numerous admirers or "friends."

[Gene C]

Did the note Booth wrote to Dr. Stuart come from one of the "diary" pages?
Does the note still exist today?

[Cliff Roberts]

Did the note Booth wrote to Dr. Stuart come from one of the "diary" pages?
Does the note still exist today?

Booth actually wrote two almost identical notes to Stuart while at the Lucas cabin. Both were written on pages torn from Booth's memorandum book. The original version offered Stuart $5.00 for his lack of hospitality, the second lowered the amount to $2.50. This note was recovered from Stuart (which likely saved him from prosecution), and I believe the original draft was found with Booth's diary after his death. As to whether either exists today, that's a good question. I'm sure I've seen a scan of the revised note, but I can't put my finger on it.

[SSlater]

It would be great if any of the original pages could be found and examined ala FBI. As you know the second page of a tablet can reveal what was written on page 1. Matching the zig-zag tear line would reveal WHEN the note to the Dr. was written. If we can determine if the note to the Dr. was written -early or late- in the escape. Anything written "Early, Early", would tell a different story. Many notes written after the stay with Stuart, would put us on a trail we have never considered. (Does that make sense ?)

[L Verge]

I don't recall ever hearing mention of the two notes to Stuart still existing. If they do, I suspect they should be in the War Department Files at the National Archives - but I think master researchers like Hall and Kauffman would have found them. BTW: Years ago, we had a participant on one of our Booth Tours suggest that Charlie Lucas was the one who changed the amount from $5 to $2.50 and pocketed the rest before he delivered the note to Dr. Stuart.

Here's a nice article about the diary written by Dr. William Hanchett: http://www.heritech.com/pridger/lincoln/..._diary.pdf

[RobertLC]

I don't recall ever hearing mention of the two notes to Stuart still existing. If they do, I suspect they should be in the War Department Files at the National Archives - but I think master researchers like Hall and Kauffman would have found them. BTW: Years ago, we had a participant on one of our Booth Tours suggest that Charlie Lucas was the one who changed the amount from $5 to $2.50 and pocketed the rest before he delivered the note to Dr. Stuart.

Here's a nice article about the diary written by Dr. William Hanchett: http://www.heritech.com/pridger/lincoln/..._diary.pdf

Nice article, indeed, Laurie. Thanks for sharing.
Robert

[SSlater]

I don't recall ever hearing mention of the two notes to Stuart still existing. If they do, I suspect they should be in the War Department Files at the National Archives - but I think master researchers like Hall and Kauffman would have found them. BTW: Years ago, we had a participant on one of our Booth Tours suggest that Charlie Lucas was the one who changed the amount from $5 to $2.50 and pocketed the rest before he delivered the note to Dr. Stuart.

Here's a nice article about the diary written by Dr. William Hanchett: http://www.heritech.com/pridger/lincoln/..._diary.pdf

Nice article, indeed, Laurie. Thanks for sharing.
Robert

GREAT POST, Laurie. I remember reading parts of it before this, but I couldn't remember where. There are so many "supported " facts. (and thoughts and feelings). I will read that Post -over and over.

[Dave Taylor]

I'm sure I've seen a scan of the revised note, but I can't put my finger on it.

Cliff,

My understanding was that both notes had been lost after the subsequent trials (Conspiracy, John Surratt, Johnson's Impeachment). If you know of a scan of one of the notes, I would very much like to see it.

[Cliff Roberts]

I'm sure I've seen a scan of the revised note, but I can't put my finger on it.

Cliff,

My understanding was that both notes had been lost after the subsequent trials (Conspiracy, John Surratt, Johnson's Impeachment). If you know of a scan of one of the notes, I would very much like to see it.

Dave,

You’re correct about the notes being lost. As far as I can determine, the last time they were seen in public was on May 30, 1867, during the testimony of Thomas T. Eckert before the House Judiciary Committee Hearings on the Impeachment of President Johnson. On that date, Eckert produced the originals of both notes and testified that the only difference in wording between the two was the sum of money. The note found in Booth’s memorandum book mentioned $5.00, and the note delivered to Dr. Stuart mentioned $2.50. Both were written on pages torn from Booth’s memorandum book. The note delivered to Stuart had been rolled up with the money inside and sealed with a pin. It began “Dear Sir” and was signed at the bottom, “STRANGER,” April 24, 1865. On the outside was written, “To Dr. Stewart.” Eckert testified that the note mentioning $5.00 was found folded with other papers in Booth’s diary, and the original of the second note had been obtained from Dr. Stuart by Lt. Baker.

(Incidentally, Eckert testified that Booth’s diary contained photographs and papers, “but what they were I could not now describe.” I wonder if an inventory of the contents of Booth’s memorandum book was ever made? I don’t recall mention of any other “papers” besides the note.)

Sadly, I was mistaken about having seen a scan of one of the Stuart notes.  I went through my entire photo collection and couldn’t find anything.  I must have been thinking of something else, because if I had come across one, I definitely would have downloaded a copy.  At any rate, since they were exhibits at a Congressional hearing, perhaps the originals still exist among the other documents connected with the Impeachment proceedings.  Have no idea where such records are kept.  

I believe the Surratt trial began in June, 1867, but I don't know whether the notes were received as evidence during that proceeding.

Cliff

[RJNorton]

Regarding the missing papers that fell out of Lincoln's pockets as he was being carried to the Petersen House Dr. Oliver Orr's guesstimate is that "they are mixed in with thousands of other pieces of paper in the LOC and could be found only by a researcher with a great deal of time and patience." Conceivably this is also a possibility with Booth's notes to Stuart?

[BettyO]

Roger -

Do you think these items could be in the LOC or in the NA? I would think that it would be possibly in the archives, as Karen Needles told me a year ago that there were literally TONS of documents to be accessed in the archives that were still unboxed - also that a lot of unaccessed boxes were shipped to other holding areas and needed to be accessed.....

[RJNorton]

Hi Betty. I know that is where Karen found the second Grace Bedell letter to Lincoln. It was discovered in old Treasury Department documents at the National Archives. Anything is possible! I still hope for a photo of John Lloyd because every time I think of him I think of the actor who played him in "The Conspirator!"

[BettyO]

I agree - the actor who played Lloyd stole that show! He was also my favorite character in the movie. I think Powell (as well as JWB) were miscast in that one....

[L Verge]

I remember back in the mid-1960s, while I was still teaching, there was an article about an old warehouse in Chicago being discovered with boxes upon boxes of Civil War materials that no one knew existed. I often wonder what happened to those boxes...