Musical chairs in the State Box?

[Jim Garrett]

The distance from muzzle to head is usually recounted as being around 18 inches. I think it was probably closer, just because of the size of the box. If Booth was standing near the wall, or against the wall, and had his arm partially extended, it would be very close indeed.

[Houmes]

I need Wes Harris to tell us about how far the gun shot residue would fly from a small gun like the derringer. Could it have reached Mary if she were within less than an arm's length of her husband (considering they had just been arm cuddling). It would seem that Booth would be closer to Lincoln than to Mary if he came from Door #7. Where is CSI or Bones when we need them?

Three years ago the veil Mary Todd Lincoln wore to Ford's Theatre was tested by law enforcement evidence officers with forensic alternate light sources. There was no residue or evidence of blood, gunpowder, or burn marks.

[L Verge]

Thank you, Blaine. I was either asleep or unaware that such a test was done. One more item to add to my arsenal of assassination knowledge.

[RickBeaver]

Were there any people occupying the box below the Lincolns on that night? Wasn't there a place there for watching a play?

[LincolnToddFan]

I need Wes Harris to tell us about how far the gun shot residue would fly from a small gun like the derringer. Could it have reached Mary if she were within less than an arm's length of her husband (considering they had just been arm cuddling). It would seem that Booth would be closer to Lincoln than to Mary if he came from Door #7. Where is CSI or Bones when we need them?

Three years ago the veil Mary Todd Lincoln wore to Ford's Theatre was tested by law enforcement evidence officers with forensic alternate light sources. There was no residue or evidence of blood, gunpowder, or burn marks.

MTL wore a veil that night?? I always thought it was a simple bonnet. This is the first I've ever heard or read of a veil.

[RJNorton]

Were there any people occupying the box below the Lincolns on that night? Wasn't there a place there for watching a play?

Hi Rick. I believe there were eight boxes in all - four on each side of the stage. The only ones occupied the evening of April 14th were boxes 7 & 8 occupied by the Lincoln party. Some assassination artwork shows the boxes below the Lincolns as being occupied by theater patrons - this is not correct.

[loetar44]

Were there any people occupying the box below the Lincolns on that night? Wasn't there a place there for watching a play?

“Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever” by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard says on page 160: “Out of respect for the office, none of the other boxes are for sale when the Lincolns occupy the state box”.

When Judge Advocate Bingham cross-examined H. Clay Ford at the conspiracy trial on May 31, Ford declared: “None of the other boxes were occupied on the night of the President’s assassination, and I do not remember any box being taken on that night.”

[L Verge]

Toia,

I believe that Mary's veil is now in the hands of a private collector.

[wsanto]

The distance from muzzle to head is usually recounted as being around 18 inches. I think it was probably closer, just because of the size of the box. If Booth was standing near the wall, or against the wall, and had his arm partially extended, it would be very close indeed.

Jim,

Do you think Booth shot over the back of the rocker or from one side or the other?

If Lincoln was sitting back in the rocker would his entire head be above the back of the rocker?

[LincolnToddFan]

Toia,

I believe that Mary's veil is now in the hands of a private collector.

I am floored...thanks Laurie.

[Jim Garrett]

The distance from muzzle to head is usually recounted as being around 18 inches. I think it was probably closer, just because of the size of the box. If Booth was standing near the wall, or against the wall, and had his arm partially extended, it would be very close indeed.

Jim,

Do you think Booth shot over the back of the rocker or from one side or the other?

If Lincoln was sitting back in the rocker would his entire head be above the back of the rocker?

I believe at least one account has AL leaning forward and looking down at the audience. This accounts for the location of the wound. I think I remember reaching across and holding AL in the chair, pushing him back in the seat.