Surratt's telegram to Booth

[Lincoln Wonk]

This John Surratt article from the Rochester, N.Y. paper presents an interesting localized view of Surratt's time in that area:

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/stor.../28148965/

[RJNorton]

Very interesting article, Kathy. Thanks for posting.

In the article it says, "Surratt arrived in Elmira on April 12, signed the register at the Brainard House as "John Harrison,"

I know the key page(s) of the register went missing. Does anyone have a theory on what happened to them?

[Lincoln Wonk]

Roger, I know almost nothing about John Surratt during the war, but I think it's so interesting how, after the war, he led a normal life and married a shirttail relation of Francis Scott Key and had seven children. Also how entrepreneurial he was, trying to start up a speaking tour after his trial.

[RJNorton]

Kathy, an item that could help prove John Surratt was in Elmira, not Washington, mysteriously went missing.

In Lincoln's Assassins: A Complete Account of Their Capture, Trial, and Punishment by Roy Chamlee the author writes:

"Surratt told his lawyers that he had stayed at the Brainard House in Elmira on April 13 and April 14. But when the lawyers searched for the crucial register, it could not be found. Their exhaustive efforts lasted several weeks. They questioned everyone connected with the hotel, but no one could find the register. Every other guest book before and after the missing one was available."

Just seems strange.

[L Verge]

Kathy, an item that could help prove John Surratt was in Elmira, not Washington, mysteriously went missing.

In Lincoln's Assassins: A Complete Account of Their Capture, Trial, and Punishment by Roy Chamlee the author writes:

"Surratt told his lawyers that he had stayed at the Brainard House in Elmira on April 13 and April 14. But when the lawyers searched for the crucial register, it could not be found. Their exhaustive efforts lasted several weeks. They questioned everyone connected with the hotel, but no one could find the register. Every other guest book before and after the missing one was available."

Just seems strange.

Not too strange if you consider that upstate New York had Copperheads and Confederate sympathizers (some likely stationed at the hotel) who could make things disappear if necessary.

This article seems to indicate, however, that those pages somehow made it to Surratt's trial. I am very weak on that subject because his trial is even more confusing to me than the 1865 one. Has anyone tackled the testimony of his trial to remember if such pages were used as evidence? For some reason, I don't think they were.

[Lincoln Wonk]

Kathy, an item that could help prove John Surratt was in Elmira, not Washington, mysteriously went missing.

In Lincoln's Assassins: A Complete Account of Their Capture, Trial, and Punishment by Roy Chamlee the author writes:

"Surratt told his lawyers that he had stayed at the Brainard House in Elmira on April 13 and April 14. But when the lawyers searched for the crucial register, it could not be found. Their exhaustive efforts lasted several weeks. They questioned everyone connected with the hotel, but no one could find the register. Every other guest book before and after the missing one was available."

Just seems strange.

Not too strange if you consider that upstate New York had Copperheads and Confederate sympathizers (some likely stationed at the hotel) who could make things disappear if necessary.

This article seems to indicate, however, that those pages somehow made it to Surratt's trial. I am very weak on that subject because his trial is even more confusing to me than the 1865 one. Has anyone tackled the testimony of his trial to remember if such pages were used as evidence? For some reason, I don't think they were.

---

Thanks for explaining, Laurie

[RJNorton]

I found this testimony, but I do not know who David C. Robinson was.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

David C. Robinson sworn and examined.

By Mr. Bradley:

Q. Where do you reside?
A. In Elmira, New York.
Q. Do you recollect being at Brainard's Hotel in 1865?
A. I do.
Q. Do you know who kept it in April, 1865?
A. It had several different proprietors in the course of a month. There was one firm by the name of Granby & Walker, or Walker & Granby, who kept it through the largest part of April, 1865; I think as late as the latter part of the month.
Q. After the 15th?
A. Yes, sir; I think so.
Q. Have you or not made very diligent search for the register of that hotel during that period?
A. I have.
Q. And have been unable to find it?
A. Yes, sir.

No cross-examination.