The “rubber box” or did Laura Keene indeed held Lincoln’s head?

[loetar44]

The Ferguson route: I still think it is highly questionable whether Laura Keene would have been able to follow this route (in ca. 20 min), while there was complete pandemonium in the theatre.

   

The Gourlay route: I now think it is possible Laura Keene followed this route (if she was indeed in the State Box, which is IMO still questionable). She actually was not really in the 4 feet wide passage. If she was with her hooped skirt it seemed to me an extra difficulty (does someone know how wide her hoop was?). One point: was the outside stairway reachable as I’ve sketched? Or were there buildings preventing this?

   

[wsanto]

We may need to consider that not everyone that was in the box or entered the box stayed in the box for extended times. Some may have exited the box into the dress circle from where they could possibly re-enter the box on occasion depending on the circumstances. This probably includes Rathbone and Clara and maybe even Mrs. Lincoln.

I got a good look into the box last weekend through the new glass door to box 7 and, with the furniture, there was very little room for a crowd of people to be around a 6'4" man laying on the floor. I'm sure there was some deference to giving the doctors some room to care for Lincoln.

[Gene C]

(09-16-2014 10:46 AM)loetar44 Wrote:  . If she was with her hooped skirt it seemed to me an extra difficulty (does someone know how wide her hoop was?).

I agree, thanks for posting the inside diagrams. It helps to visualize the situation. Laurie mentioned something about the size of hooped skirts in post 16. (3-4 foot circumference)

[RJNorton]

At the beginning of this discussion I said I was straddling the issue of Keene's presence in the box. I think I am now leaning more toward her being there.

I came upon this account written by a person named Spencer Bronson. He was present at Ford's that night and wrote a letter to his sister on April 16, 1865. Included in his letter was the following:

"In the mean time Mrs Lincoln came to the front of the box with loud cries & screens know to the horror struck audience that Mr Lincoln had been assassinated Help was called for & men was hoisted up with water & spirits Miss Keene (mostly?) regain her presence of mind & went around into the box holding the President head while an examination was being made Enclosed is one of the handbills of the Theatre that evening."

Since this was written only two days after Booth's shot it would seem to me it is probably pretty good evidence she got into the box (unless I am missing something).

[Eva Elisabeth]

(09-16-2014 11:03 AM)Gene C Wrote:  

(09-16-2014 10:46 AM)loetar44 Wrote:  . If she was with her hooped skirt it seemed to me an extra difficulty (does someone know how wide her hoop was?).

I agree, thanks for posting the inside diagrams. It helps to visualize the cituation. Laurie mentioned something about the size of hooped skirts in post 16. (3-4 foot circumference)

How stiff were the hoop skirts? When pressed from the sides? (Sorry if this had been mentioned.)

[L Verge]

It depends on what size hoop Keene was wearing. I had given a previous size of 3-4 feet in diameter because I was actually typing and looking at one of my staff in her day dress for tours. I am suspecting, however, that Keene may have been in a larger hoop - if her dress was designed for a wedding scene.

As to how stiff it would be, STIFF! Modern hoops are mainly material with three to five rows of wires. In 1865, they literally looked like a bird cage with rows upon rows of exposed wire held together by seaming tape (unless the theater designers used something different). They could be pressed from the sides, which caused them to "hoop" out in front and back. Hence, ladies did not sit in chairs with arms for fear of exposing their ankle or leg! They could sit very neatly, however, with only the back of the hoop being pressed down. I used to demonstrate the technique when I gave tours at Surratt House. It really got the kids' attention!

[Gene C]

Just a thought, is it possible that some in the audiance see Clara Harris in the box and assume or think it's Laura Keene. They both have dark hair, and they probably are only going to get a glimpse of her at the time. With all the flags around the box, is who ever in there going to that be easy to see from the audience, even when you turn up the gas lights? Either way she goes, Laura Keene is trying to make her way through a crowd trying to go the other way.

Weren't most people interested in getting out of the theater quickly instead of trying to see what's going on inside the presidential box?

[L Verge]

Bless you for saying that, Gene. I have had the same thought about Keene being mistaken for Harris, but thought I'd be eaten alive by this group! LOL. Remember there were flags and draperies surrounding the box also to block the view.

[Eva Elisabeth]

(09-16-2014 12:56 PM)Gene C Wrote:  Weren't most people interested in getting out of the theater quickly instead of trying to see what's going on inside the presidential box?

If the theater had been burning, or the murderer still somewhere been inside with a loaded gun I would have agreed. Since this was not the case - what about human curiosity and sensationalism?
The thought of Clara Harris being mistaken for Laura Keene is interesting - but then e.g. Spencer Bronson (thanks for adding this account, Roger!!) must also have seen Clara holding Lincoln's head???

[L Verge]

By the night of April 16, 1865, whoever Spencer Bronson was had the opportunity to read accounts of the tragedy and assume that they were correct in it being Miss Keene in the box. Especially if she did indeed kneel down to take the President's head in her lap, I doubt that anyone outside of that box or immediately in the small anteroom could have recognized it as Keene. And, if Bronson did see Clara, would he have known who she was? Even when she entered with the Lincolns, I suspect that all eyes were on the presidential pair.

As for exiting the theater, I think that most accounts give credence to it being bedlam in there with people crushing to get to the exits. Citizens of the city that night had to still be in war mode, and any gun shot would spook them. Inside, one could be a sitting duck - outside was a wider space to run, unless Mosby's men had the theater surrounded.... Just adding the latter for a little levity!

[Eva Elisabeth]

What I wanted to point out - do you believe then that Clara cradled Lincoln's head?

[L Verge]

I truly have my doubts as to whether anyone cradled the President's head. I continue to think of that action as part of the legends that have grown up around the event - and maybe started by Laura Keene to put a good light on her and her profession.

[Eva Elisabeth]

(09-16-2014 07:03 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I truly have my doubts as to whether anyone cradled the President's head.

So do I, absolutely!!!

[J. Beckert]

Maybe it's just me, but I find it hard to dismiss Dr.
Leale's 1909 account that he allowed Keene to do so. Even though it was a long time after, he was 68. By no means an old man. I can't see him adding that due to other accounts when he was actually there and in charge. I also see the route to box factor adding up also. Especially if she was bringing water.

[STS Lincolnite]

Though I find Dr. Leale generally credible, I can't say I trust his 1909 lecture in this instance. He made no mention of Keene in his 1865 or 1867 statements. And more importantly to me, as has been discussed in another thread, he also reported in his 1909 lecture (with no mention in 1865 or 1867) that he performed resuscitation techniques on the president. Only problem - the first recorded use of these techniques was 1891 - 25+ years after the assassination.

I think that he became familiar with the technique in the intervening years and used it to embellish his lecture. I think he did the same thing with Keene. He heard that tale of her cradling the president's head and so he used it to embellish his lecture. Let's face it, it makes for a good story.