Passing of John Fazio

[RJNorton]

Sadly I have been informed that John Fazio, author of Decapitating the Union: Jefferson Davis, Judah Benjamin and the Plot to Assassinate Lincoln, has died. John was a member and frequent contributor to this forum. His book included several unique theories including John's belief that there was never a plot to kidnap Abraham Lincoln. John will certainly be missed.

Here is an example of one of John's theories that is in disagreement with most Lincoln assassination books:

"The presidential party, consisting of the President, Mrs. Lincoln, Major Henry Rathbone, and Miss Clara Harris, left the White House in the same carriage and at the same time, driven by the President’s coachman, Francis P. Burke, and with Charles Forbes, the President’s footman, aboard. The presidential carriage was probably used to bring Rathbone and Harris to the White House. The carriage was not accompanied by a military guard or escort when it left the White House."

Most assassination books have the Lincolns picking up Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris.

https://www.clevelandcivilwarroundtable....e-riddles/

[Rob Wick]

Sorry to hear of John's passing. I didn't agree with a lot of what he offered, but he definitely never backed down.

Best
Rob

[GustD45]

Rest in peace John. You will be missed.

[Steve]

I'm sorry to hear of John's passing. Once when there was an article about Confederate spying which he referenced, and I had really wanted to read but was behind a paywall, John was kind enough to print out a copy of the article and mail it to my house. Truly a nice and classy thing to do.

I enjoyed reading John's book Decapitating the Union, but I don't necessarily agree with some of his theories:

- I strongly disagree with his idea that Charles A. Dunham (aka "Sanford Conover") gave his perjured testimony at the Conspiracy Trial as a way to discredit the trial for the Confederate cause.

- My gut instinct, based on the way Booth acted and what he said to his fellow conspirators in the weeks preceding the assassination, makes me think John may have been right about the kidnapping plot being a smokescreen to hide Booth's intention to murder Lincoln for as long as possible for security reasons. But I just don't think there's enough evidence to be sure either way on whether Booth initially planned to actually go through with a kidnapping. Including the issue of Booth's letter to his sister from late 1864 which reads in part:

Nor, do I deem it a dishonor, in attempting to make for her a prisoner of this man

which, along with Booth's sojourns into Maryland, definitely cuts against John's thesis. But even still, the way of Booth's use of attempting and the intent for the letter to become public after Booth "acted", does make me wonder if Booth was just spouting self-serving rhetoric to make it seem like despite his best efforts otherwise he had no choice but to go full Brutus.

- Roger, I agree with John's scenario of Clara and Rathbone arriving at the White House first with the Lincolns then joining them in the carriage. It makes the most sense.

So, John you will be missed! Your legacy of research, articles and books have been thoroughly enjoyed. Even if I disagreed with your conclusions, it still helped me question my own assumptions and dive deeper into the sources to come up on a more sure footing. Just look how what was originally intended to be just a short memoriam post with an anecdote about the mailed article has expanded! Again John you will be missed.

[jbarry]

I am sorry to hear of John's passing. I recently purchased Decapitating the Union, and was impressed with his level of research. I am conducting research on Joseph B. Stewart, of whom Fazio had a particular dislike, and I was hoping to reach out to him to compare notes.

Although I never corresponded with John, I have noted in older threads how well he received criticism, and he always remained polite. We could use more of that approach in days like these.

[Eva Elisabeth]

I, too, am very sorry to hear this. And I feel the same as most here - I like "Decapitating the Union" even though I don't fully agree, and appreciated how politely l he dealt when his points were challenged.