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RJNorton · 04-03-2021, 05:26 AM

Hint #3: The photo was taken in Michigan.

Wild Bill · 04-03-2021, 05:32 AM

Zach Chandler

Steve · 04-03-2021, 05:51 AM

Emory Parady?

RJNorton · 04-03-2021, 07:44 AM

Nope, not Chandler or Paraday.

Rob Wick · (This post was last modified: 04-03-2021 07:51 AM by Rob Wick.)

Is it an elderly Luther Byron Baker? He was from Michigan. If it is that is a picture I don't recall seeing before.

ETA: Didn't see the second clue, so I know it isn't Baker since he died in 1896.

Best
Rob

RJNorton · 04-03-2021, 07:50 AM

Same here, Rob. I had not ever seen this photo until a few days ago. It is not Baker.

Steve · 04-03-2021, 12:27 PM

Christian Rath

RJNorton · 04-03-2021, 12:52 PM

Kudos, Steve. Yes, it is Christian Rath, the hangman of July 7, 1865. A few days ago I came upon an article on Rath that included a photo I had never seen before.

https://wjimam.com/lincoln-conspirator-hanging/

Christian Rath

RJNorton · 04-09-2021, 02:41 PM

Evidence that was found in a streetcar was introduced at the conspiracy trial. What was the nature of this evidence?

wpbinzel · (This post was last modified: 04-09-2021 04:06 PM by wpbinzel.)

It was two letters, the exact contents of which I would have to look at my notes at home.
-----------
It was the testimony of Mrs. Mary Hudspeth that she was "riding on the Third Avenue Cars, in New York City," when she overheard two men making plans and exchanging letters. According to her, as she and her daughter were exiting, her daughter "picked up a letter which was lying on the floor of the car, immediately under where they sat." There were actually two letters. The first letter was addressed to "Dear Louis:" and included the words Abe must die and now, and signed, "Charles Selby." The second letter appears to be from St. Louis, dated October 21, 1864. begins with "Dearest Husband," in which "your broken-hearted wife" begs the recipient to return home, and is signed, "Leenea."

While introduced at the trial, apparently Tidwell, Hall and Gaddy did not view them as relevant to connect the conspiracy to Richmond, as neither Mrs. Hudspeth nor Mr. Selby are mentioned in Come Retribution.

RJNorton · 04-09-2021, 03:42 PM

Good job, Bill. A lady named Mary Hudspeth testified that she was sitting behind two "suspicious" men (one of which resembled Booth apparently) while riding a streetcar in New York in November 1864. When the men departed the horse car she found two letters that the men dropped. The prosecution tried to show that plotters were already discussing the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in the fall of 1864. These letters were referred to as the "Selby letter" and the "Leena letter." The letters passed through several hands (including Stanton's) and eventually were found in the President's desk in an envelope marked "Assassination."

The Selby letter:

DEAR LOUIS: The time has at last come that we have all so wished for, and upon you everything depends. As it was decided before you left, we were to cast lots. Accordingly we did so, and you are to be the Charlotte Corday of the nineteenth century. When you remember the fearful, solemn vow that was taken by us, you will feel there is no drawback -- Abe must die, and now. You can choose your weapons. The cup, the knife, the bullet. The cup failed us once, and might again. Johnson, who will give this, has been like an enraged demon since the meeting, because it has not fallen upon him to rid the world of the monster. He says the blood of his gray-haired father and his noble brother call upon him for revenge, and revenge he will have; if he cannot wreak it upon the fountain head, he will upon some of the blood-thirsty Generals. Butler would suit him. As our plans were all concocted and well arranged we separated, and as I am writing -- on my way to Detroit -- I will only say that all rests upon you. You know where to find your friends. Your disguises are so perfect and complete, that without one knew your face, no police telegraphic dispatch would catch you. The English gentleman, Harcourt, must not act hastily. Remember, he has ten days. Strike for your home, strike for your country; bide your time, but strike sure. Get introduced, congratulate him, listen to his stories; not many more will the brute tell to earthly friends. Do anything but fail, and meat us at the appointed place within the fortnight. In close this note together with one of poor Leenoa. I will give the reason for this when we meet. Return by Johnson. I wish I could go to you, but duty calls me to the West. You will probably hear from me in Washington. Sanders is doing us no good in Canada. -- Believe me, your brother in love.

CHARLES SELBY

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

The Leena letter:

"ST. LOUIS, October 21, 1864.

DEAREST HUSBAND: -- Why do you not come home? You left me for ten days only, and you now have been from home more than two weeks. In that long time only sent me one short note -- a few cold words -- and a check for money, which I did not require. What has come over you? Have you forgotten your wife and child? Baby calls for papa until my heart aches. We are so lonely without you. I have written to you again and again, and as a last resource, yesterday wrote to Charlie, begging him to see you and tell you to come home. I am so ill, not able to leave my room; if I was, I would go to you wherever you were, if in this world. Mamma says I must not write any more as I am too weak. Louis, darling, do not stay away any longer from your heart-broken wife. LEENEA."

wpbinzel · 04-09-2021, 04:11 PM

(Roger, it would appear that we both were typing at the same time.... I knew it was a letter (or letters), but did not remember "Hudspeth" or "Selby" without looking at my notes.)

Steve · 04-09-2021, 07:34 PM

Apparently a New Jersey historical society gave a talk on the life of Mary Hudspeth a few years ago. From the description it looks like she led an interesting life:

https://facebook.com/428635080654154/pos...603050896/

It also looks like there's a New Jersey state park named after her as well:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/3408435029

Steve Whitlock · 04-09-2021, 11:54 PM

(04-09-2021 03:42 PM)RJNorton Wrote: Good job, Bill. A lady named Mary Hudspeth testified that she was sitting behind two "suspicious" men (one of which resembled Booth apparently) while riding a streetcar in New York in November 1864. When the men departed the horse car she found two letters that the men dropped. The prosecution tried to show that plotters were already discussing the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in the fall of 1864. These letters were referred to as the "Selby letter" and the "Leena letter." The letters passed through several hands (including Stanton's) and eventually were found in the President's desk in an envelope marked "Assassination."

The Selby letter:

DEAR LOUIS: The time has at last come that we have all so wished for, and upon you everything depends. As it was decided before you left, we were to cast lots. Accordingly we did so, and you are to be the Charlotte Corday of the nineteenth century. When you remember the fearful, solemn vow that was taken by us, you will feel there is no drawback -- Abe must die, and now. You can choose your weapons. The cup, the knife, the bullet. The cup failed us once, and might again. Johnson, who will give this, has been like an enraged demon since the meeting, because it has not fallen upon him to rid the world of the monster. He says the blood of his gray-haired father and his noble brother call upon him for revenge, and revenge he will have; if he cannot wreak it upon the fountain head, he will upon some of the blood-thirsty Generals. Butler would suit him. As our plans were all concocted and well arranged we separated, and as I am writing -- on my way to Detroit -- I will only say that all rests upon you. You know where to find your friends. Your disguises are so perfect and complete, that without one knew your face, no police telegraphic dispatch would catch you. The English gentleman, Harcourt, must not act hastily. Remember, he has ten days. Strike for your home, strike for your country; bide your time, but strike sure. Get introduced, congratulate him, listen to his stories; not many more will the brute tell to earthly friends. Do anything but fail, and meat us at the appointed place within the fortnight. In close this note together with one of poor Leenoa. I will give the reason for this when we meet. Return by Johnson. I wish I could go to you, but duty calls me to the West. You will probably hear from me in Washington. Sanders is doing us no good in Canada. -- Believe me, your brother in love.

CHARLES SELBY

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

The Leena letter:

"ST. LOUIS, October 21, 1864.

DEAREST HUSBAND: -- Why do you not come home? You left me for ten days only, and you now have been from home more than two weeks. In that long time only sent me one short note -- a few cold words -- and a check for money, which I did not require. What has come over you? Have you forgotten your wife and child? Baby calls for papa until my heart aches. We are so lonely without you. I have written to you again and again, and as a last resource, yesterday wrote to Charlie, begging him to see you and tell you to come home. I am so ill, not able to leave my room; if I was, I would go to you wherever you were, if in this world. Mamma says I must not write any more as I am too weak. Louis, darling, do not stay away any longer from your heart-broken wife. LEENEA."

The letters seem like a hoax to me. Were "Selby and "Leena" ever researched, and verified in a Lincoln assassination plot?

Steve · (This post was last modified: 04-10-2021 02:45 AM by Steve.)

It's impossible for Booth to have been the man Hudspeth claimed she saw on the train, whom she thought was Booth. Hudspeth claimed the incident happened the day that Gen. Butler left New York City, 15 Nov. 1864 - though prosecutors said it was the 14th to account for Booth's signing into the National Hotel in Washington on the 14th. But he hadn't yet been to New York that month yet. According to Art Loux's book John Wilkes Booth: Day by Day, Booth was last in New York during the weekend of Oct. 29-30 and wouldn't return to New York again until 23 Nov.

According to Loux prior to signing in to the National Hotel in Washington on 14 Nov., Booth was in or near Bryantown, Maryland for the preceding 3 days. On 12 Nov., Booth was taken to the home of Dr. William Queen and discussed the abduction plot with him. Booth stayed the night and accompanied Dr. Queen and Queen's son-in-law John C. Thompson to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bryantown the next day. Loux speculates that Thompson may have first introduced Booth to Dr. Samuel Mudd on the 13th as well.