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John Wilkes Booth[post=34995 /] 11,986 Views I went to the Greenmount Cemetery today for a little investigation by myself. I walked into a tour and recorded all of it on my digital evp recorder. From other information I have found,I discovered where John is buried. It is an unmarked grave right where the obelisk is and its on the edge. If you look close you will see a penny with the Lincoln side facing glued on the stone. On May 19th they are having a gathering for Johns Hopkins birthday. The guide told me that they do this secret event every year. I will be attending.
Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=34996 /] 11,986 Views I just found out that tours are on every Saturday from 9-11. Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=34997 /] 11,986 Views
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From wikipedia.org: The corpse of John Wilkes Booth was taken first to the ironclad USS Montauk at the Washington Navy Yard for identification and autopsy. The body was then buried in a cell in the Old Penitentiary at the Washington Arsenal. In 1867, the body was exhumed, placed in a pine box, and locked in a warehouse at the prison. In 1869, the body was once again identified before being released to the Booth family, who buried it in an unmarked grave in the family plot at Greenmount Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. ... Some believe that John Wilkes Booth escaped the tobacco barn at Garrett's farm, with a Booth double named James William Boyd dying in his place. A few speculate that a cabal within the government concocted the assassination plot and supported Booth. However, most "conspiracy theorists" point to a group of angry bankers who were rebuffed by Abraham Lincoln when they offered to aid the Union's war efforts. When these bankers attempted to surreptitiously usurp the government's traditional duty of minting and circulating currency with the goal of selling the government their currency with exorbitant interest rates attached, Lincoln ordered the minting of non-interest-bearing notes. The angry bankers retaliated and saw an ideal assassin in John Wilkes Booth and plotted with him to kill the president. "Conspiracy theorists" claim that eventually, the bankers did gain control of minting United States currency with the signing of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 by conspiring, at Jekyll Island, Georgia in 1910 to create a European-style banking system. Many supporters also claim that the reason President John F. Kennedy was himself assassinated ninety-eight years later was that he was going to abolish the Federal Reserve. Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=35005 /] 11,986 Views
There's a good book about Booth by local author, Michael Kauffman. It's called "American Brutus". I don't blame the Booth family for burying him in an unmarked grave. Imagine if it were marked: it would probably be vandalized in the 1860s by pro-Lincoln factions and in the 2000s it would be vandalized by a bunch of jerks(like the horrible vandalism at Gettysburg!) Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=35125 /] 11,986 Views
Thanks for posting this...he's one of my ancestors. I won't defend what he allegedly did, but even he deserves to be remembered. Scott Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=35209 /] 11,986 Views I know another one of his ancestors. She is a friend of mine and I took her there to see the unmarked grave as well. Yes,he should be recognized indeed. Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42486 /] 11,986 Views
Friends, Hello. Are both John Wilkes Booth and Edgar Allan Poe buried at Greenmount Cemetery? In February of this year (2006) I was driving North on Route 301 and was near the bridge that crosses over the Potomac River. I caught sight of a Historic Marker informing me that John Wilkes Booth was shot nearby on the adjoining property to the road. Since the barn he was shot in was burned to drive him out, I wonder if there is some marker on that spot other than the Historic Marker along Rt.301. Anyway, I would like to go back there and kinda' 'wander' around in that area a bit. If anyone knows more about the ex-location of the barn and related matters, I'd surely appreciate you letting me know. And Ol' John W. Booth wasn't all bad. He was just a man doing his duty as he saw it. War is hell, and I consider his shooting of Lincoln to be one of those 'hells', and not to be some cold-blooded murder. And he did save Lincoln's son from falling into the path of a train when a crowd had gathered around the younger Lincoln at the train station and were pressing him towards the tracks. Yeah...Ol' John reached in there and pulled the man away from that danger. Oh...one last favor, if anyone has the directions to the Mary Surratt's boarding house in Clinton, Maryland (formerly 'Surrattesville), I'd really love to have them. Thank you. Scary Christmas and a Happy Boo-Year! Beast Witches Owl'ways, Terry Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42488 /] 11,986 Views
Garret Farm no longer exists: it is now the highway. The barn's location is the median strip where you saw marker. There's nothing there to see in terms of building remains, etc. Surratt House is on Old Branch Ave, in Clinton, off Route 5/Branch Avenue. Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42490 /] 11,986 Views [post=42493 /] 11,986 Views
Maggie (and All), Howdy. Thank you for that information. So, I apparently drove right over the spot where the unfortunate Mr. Booth was killed. The address for Mary Surratt's Boarding House will come in quite handy. Being highly interest in the Civil War, I really need to visit this place at least once. I've seen it on television, and it is supposed to be haunted. That would be great, but even if it isn't I still want to take in the atmosphere of the place where so much history was 'plotted', and such sad things were set into motion (especially the death of Mary Surratt). Sad. Oh...I've found that Edgar Allan Poe is at Westminster Cemetery, and is not keeping company with John Wilkes at Greenmount Cemetery. I used to know this, but it's been a while since I've went over this subject. I think it is very interesting that John Wilkes Booth was at the hanging of John Brown in 1859 in Charlestown, West Virginia; and then was at Lincoln's swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol Building. Well, not so much surprised that Mr. Booth was there, but that he is in that Olde Photograph of Lincoln getting sworn-in. This is a photograph with a huge crowd, and how anyone spotted John W. Booth among all those faces is beyond me, but supposedly there he is and is even pointed-out. It looks like him. I think I'll get over to Greenmount Cemetery to visit John W., and then over to Westminster Cemetery to see Ol' Edgar Allan. Then, a possible Spring trip down to Mary Surratt's place. I want to spend enough time there in the hopes of detecting anything paranormal, so I don't want to be freezing for hours. Well...thank you again, Maggie. I appreciate your help greatly. Mostly Sin-seared, Terry Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42494 /] 11,986 Views
The Surratt Boarding House and Surratt Tavern are different buildings in different locations. The Surratt Tavern/House was the Surratt residence in Surrattsville (AKA Clinton). It also served at the post office. When Mary's husband died, she and her daughter moved to their property in Washington DC---the Surratt Boarding house. The Tavern was running during the assassination, but they had someone living there and running it. It's run by the Surratt Society and the Maryland National Park and Planning Commission. The Boarding House is located in DC's Chinatown. Currently it houses the "Wok N' Roll" restaurant. (Take the Metro to the Gallery Place/Chinatown Station. Go to the Chinatown exit. When you surface, the Chinatown Arch will be on your left-side. Walk about 1/2 block away from the Arch. The restaurant will be on your right side just before you reach the intersection.) They do have a historic marker thing outside the building and the present owners do capitalize on the building's fame. However, the interior of the building has been altered over the years, so there is really no Mary Surratt things there other than the exterior walls and some interior ones. Oh, and the Boarding House/ Wok N'Roll restaurant is not affiliated in anyway, shape or form with the Surratt Society. Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42495 /] 11,986 Views
Kmmouse (and All), Thank you for wanting to help. That's what makes this place so nice. If anyone has the photograph of that Historic Marker along Route 301, it'd be great if you could post it here. I only saw the thing that one time, and I backed-up to read it all. Just as I finished a car was coming-up behind me so I had to move on. I wanted to photograph it, but alas, the road was a bit curving and it was only two lanes (one in each direction) and with the traffic at that moment I relunctantly moved-on. But, I vowed to return (in this lifetime) and by jingos ... I shall! Sir_Smurfalotster, it's neat to meet an descendant of Mr. Booth. I believe it was the Night before Lincoln went to Pennsylvania to give his 'Gettysburg Address' that Mrs. Lincoln got Abe to take her to the theatre (you know what a 'social butterfly' she was). And, yep...there was Ol' John W. himself on the stage. Life sure is ... 'something'. Do you have any 'Family Stories' about John Wilkes Booth? Any legends of his haunting some place? Well, Mr. Lincoln wasn't above ordering the deaths of some folks. That's war. Plus, he imprisoned almost the entire State Legislature of Maryland and shipped them up North. Many folks wanted Abe dead. I don't think I'd have been a fan of us had I been alive at the time. In fact, I know I'd have hated him, too. I'll tell you who really angers me something fierce ... it's that Lew Wallace, who was the military judge who sentenced the commandant of Andersonville Prison to death. And then was the judge for the 'Lincoln Conspirators' Trials'. He was going to hang just about anyone at that time, and the Army knew it and put him on the job. Then Wallace goes on back to Texas and writes 'Ben Hur: A Story of the Messiah' (as he called it). I guess he must have had a clear conscience ... but still, a little mercy would have been nice. But, April of 1865 and the next few months were not a time of too much forgiveness. Quite unfortunate. So, Lincoln is haunting the Whi Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42496 /] 11,986 Views
Maggie (and All), Hi. I didn't know the the boardinghouse and the tavern were two different buildings. Hmmm..... The building I saw on those 'ghost shows' was in a semi-rural area. I took this to be Clinton, Maryland. The caretakers of the building said that people hear whispers as if people were talking in hushed tones being as they were conspiring to assasinate Lincoln. I never knew anything about Mary having a place in what is now Chinatown in D.C. I am surprised, indeed. As I try to put all this together in my feeble (yet weak) mind, it seems that the plotting was done at the Tavern. Is this the way you see it to be? That the meetings were held in Maryland? I am quite befuddled, as is my normal state-of-mind. Well, I thank you again. I shall seach the Web in the hopes of sorting this all out. I shall re-read your post in order to get on the right trail. Any help from anyone (even Lew Wallace...grrr.....) would be most-welcomed. But, Lew ... that won't make us friends. Adíos For Now, Fellow and Fellowette Ghost-Hunters. Terry (just a good ol' country boy meanin' nobody no harm) Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42497 /] 11,986 Views
Anna Surratt allegedly haunts the White House. On the the eve of her mother's execution, she supposedly went to the White House to beg for clemency. Since part of the assassination plot was to kill Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, and Edward Stanton---it's not surprizing that no one opened the door. Anyhow, her spirit is said to be seen knocking on the White House door on the anniversary of the eve of the execution. Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42498 /] 11,986 Views
Maggie and All, Man! This just keeps getting better! I'm definitely putting together a plan to check this out. I live too close to these places to just do nothing. I think I'll call this investigation, 'Mary and John: Together Again!'. Or, 'Mary and John: NOT a Story of the Messiah'. This'll be great! And just why was Lincoln shot? Because he was sitting in John Wilke's booth. Anywhey and curds, I'm familiar with D.C. and the Metro there. Okie-doke ... gotta' get to my own 'plotting'. From what I saw of 'the Tavern' on 'ghost shows', it does look like it has the potential to be haunted. Thanks A Million For The Help! Conspiratorally Yours, Terry E. Collins Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42503 /] 11,986 Views
FMS, Hey. You seem a bit hard on old John W. I can understand that; but ya' know, one just doesn't have much time to shoot a President and get away alive. Is there any doubt that is Lincoln had turned fully towards Booth (even been standing at the time), that Booth wouldn't have shoot him? Unlike onstage, Ol' John didn't have the means to pose the President for a shot (pun intended). Was the killing a tragedy? Sure. Was Lincoln signing the 'Death Sentences' for Yankee Soldiers a tragedy. Sure. Sure. Was Booth's death a tragedy? Sure. Was the whole nation going through a tragic times? You bet. I know you are an historian, FMS, and these things mean a lot to you. That is commendable. Your feelings are yours, and they are valid. I just don't agree with you that Booth was any sort of coward. Despite the terrible purpose of assasination, it took guts to carry it through. And as we know, all kinds of horrendous things happened during the Civil War. While some may view Lincoln's death as a separate kind of killing that is more of a civilian-type of crime, I see him as being one of the War's fallen heroes. Do I agree with some of his decisions? No, indeedy. Do I know he had an extremely difficult task to undertake? Absolutely. And knowing that, I do not hate him. But, if I were alive back then I do believe I would find his unconstitutional actions to be the actions of a tyrant. 151 years later I see it for what it was ... desperate times calling for desperate measures. I believe it was Seward that was stabbed in his bedroom that same night. He lived. When getting back onlne here at MGSA, I saw a picture of none other than 'Black Aggie' herself. She is at the Courthouse in D.C. right next to where Seward had his dwelling at the time of his being stabbed. There is a plaque there that has some information on that event. Just the fact that John W. Booth wanted to kidnap Lincoln instead of killing him does show that Booth preferred a non-lethal way of doing things. Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42513 /] 11,986 Views
Friends, Hi. Okay ... 1.) Booth did not just shoot the President and run. He had a bit of a scuffle with one of Lincoln's officers who was with him in the booth; 2.) The act of a desperate man do not necessarily equate to 'the act of a coward'; 3.) My statements about Booth were to be taken from 'those times', not the present; 4.) I clearly stated that the whole thing was a tragedy; 5.) You are not the only one who takes in the whole picture of the historical consequences; 6.) I have at least 5 direct ancestors who fought in the Civil War (covering both sides); 7.) I know that my having Ancestors in the Civil War does not give me any special position upon which to judge others; 8.) Cowardice and Bravery all are very much relevent today just as back then (though I will frankly state that such a creature called a coward does not exist); 9.) And to insult another's Ancestors (especially on a forum such as this) may not be classified as cowardice, but it is certainly without 'class'. Or, is that something that means nothing to some nowadays, too? This, of course, does not apply to anyone here. 10.) And it is sad that J.W.Booth did not have a crystal ball to adjust his behavior (then again, no one really knows just what would have happened if Lincoln lived anyway); 11.) Yes, Lincoln did think signing those 'Death Sentences' was a waste of life, but he signed them nonetheless, and it wasn't just a few. I had apologized for posting the previous letter here, although I found it sad to see someone here insulting another's Family. And then saying they were sorry about being judgemental. If someone was sincere in that respect, there is that good ol' delete key one could have hit before sending it. I was hoping any other personal stuff could be handled in private email and be of no more bother to the friendly folks here. Alas, such was not to be. I respected your position, but it is clear you respect your position a whole lot more. In fact, you respect your positi Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42520 /] 11,986 Views
Friends, Hey. As concerns Greenmount Cemetery ... is that a large cemetery? And does anyone know if the people in charge there have some sort of leaflet and/or map with locations of 'celebrity gravesites'? Down in D.C. at Rock Creek Cemetery (where the original statue 'Grief' is located) I found the gravesite of Edgar Allan Poe's sister. At Rock Creek they have free maps of the place. If I recall correctly, it is Westminster Cemetery that is a rather small cemetery> If Greenmount Cemetery is much larger, then that gives me hope that any citizen is free to drive onto the grounds and search about for John Wilkes Booth grave. Am I correct in thinking this is the case? As for Westminster Cemetery, is that one only accessible by appointment? When I was there quite a while back, the gate was locked during regular daylight business hours. Is this how it is on a regular basis? Thanks for any and all help. I really want to put together a nice trip to see both John Wilkes Booth and Edgar Allan Poe's Gravesites. I don't think I'll be able to wait until Spring to get myself to Mary Surratt's Olde Tavern. I'll have to check with the organization that Maggie gave me the name of that runs the joint and see if I'll be allowed to stay there after dark. They may get this kind of thing all the time, and have a flat 'no' to give me. The story about Anne Surratt going to the White House the eve of her mother's execution is touching and very sad. After years of researching and watching all those 'ghost shows', I somehow missed poor Anne's sorrowful tale. Kinda' ironic that the ghost of Abraham Lincoln walking the halls of the White House while the ghost of one his alleged killer's daughter's ghost, Anne, is knocking on the White House door trying to get in. It all so romantically sad. I'll probably be thinking about that all Night and on many other Nights, especially on the anniversary of Mary Surratt's execution. This is undoubtably one of the most saddest paranormal stories I've ever he Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42526 /] 11,986 Views
Based on what I know of his actions, I don't think Booth was a coward. Maybe a bit of a dark fan or hanger-on, judging by the inauguration pictures and the bit about saving-Lincoln's-son-from-the-train... Instead, I think it took enormous resolve to follow through with the assassination, right or wrong. Who could possibly know the layout, the particulars, the moment-by-moment play out of history? I bet he just walked in and opened fire, shaking uncertainty pitted against scheming resolve, not wanting to miss a certain kill. Maybe it was even a kindness, like a blindfold or black hood, to not let Lincoln see it coming. Snipers shoot people from every angle all the time, from hidden nests. Bombardiers destroy many people at once, unseen from miles above the tops of heads and by way of unexploded ordnance underfoot. These are not actions of cowards but merely circumstances of situation and attack. Same with Booth. Being so close so many times in the past, I'm sure it would have been no problem to get that close again. Besides, I thought Lincoln's attendance at Ford's Theatre was a chance set that night by Lincoln's wife. Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42554 /] 11,986 Views
Hi all, New to the site, love it. I clicked on the Booth thing because i am a native Harford County Resident and am very familiar with the Booth property on Tudor Lane. My mom owned a house on Churchville Rd that was once part of the farm. The reason for my entry is not to debate the assassination, that was done during the trial, but to speak more about the family and its historical importance to Harford County. There is an old house directly across the street from where my mom lived on Churchville RD, it is currently for sale. The house had no electric and according to rumor no running water. rumor also has it that the lady who lived there, who died about 6 years ago, was the last remaining decendant of the Booth family slaves. It was said, the land was a grant to them after the civil war. You cannot reach the house without 4 wheel drive and cannot see it in the summer time due to the foliage. This place and the stories have always intrigued me, does anyone, especially the decendants of the family (which by the way have my utmost respect) have any info on this place? Thank You! Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42556 /] 11,986 Views
I referenced a book upthread by Michael Kauffman. It's an excellent book. The Lincoln Assassination was a complex plot to take down the government. Lincoln, Vice President Andrew Johnson, and Edward Stanton (Secretary of War) were the 3 politicians to be killed that night. Johnson left town, if I recall correctly, so he wasn't attacked. Stanton was in his DC home recovering from a horrible riding accident (his jaw was broken and was wired shut). On the eve of the assassination, one of the conspirators forced his way into Stanton's home. Wielding a large knife, he hacked and stabbed Stanton's servants, his son and a messager boy and made his way to Stanton's bedroom. He fought off Stanton's daughter and managed to stab Stanton several times---on his head. Luckily for Stanton, the wiring around his jaw deflected the knife. Afterwards he fled the house. The Stanton house was supposedly covered in blood due to the attacks. The house is no longer standing, but Kauffman's book contains a photograph of the Stanton house. Anyhow, the Surratt Tavern is in Clinton. It's on Brandywine Road. Sorry for giving you bad info earlier, but the intersection there is confusing: Brandywine Road runs from the intersection east. Old Branch Ave runs from the intersection west. Woodyard Road runs from the intersection north and Piscataway Road heads south. The tavern was investigated by paranormal investigator, Hans Holzer, during the 1960s. The paranormal investigation is documented in Holzer's book "Ghosts". From what I recall of Holzer's investigation there are 6 ghosts in the Tavern. One is of a little girl. Mary Surratt allegedly haunts Brandywine Road. Supposedly on dark, foggy nights/mornings you can see her ghost walking along Brandywine and Horseshoe Roads which are adjacent to her home. Anyhow, the Surratt Society offers a "John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Tour" twice a year. I went on it a few years ago. It was very good. If you google the Surratt Society website, it will give you more information on it. If you wan Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42557 /] 11,986 Views
MdMike and All, Howdy. If possible would you give us directions to this ex-Booth Property? I take it that since the lady you wrote about was an descendant from slaves owned by the Booth Family, that the house was either lived in at one time by the Booths? Or was this an additional building on the Booth Property? Do you know who the last Booth Family Member was who last lived in the home (besides any slaves)? Do you like answering questions? (laughing) I love those Olde Houses that have a history, and are not easily visible (and in this case not easily accessible) to the general public. As with the Garrett Property where Booth was shot, I knew the barn had been burned down, but had hopes that other buildings might still be standing. According to Maggie (who I believe) there are no buildings from that time (1865) on the old Garrett property. Still, having found out that I drove right over the area where the unfortunate Mr. Booth met his end, that was something. But, there in Harford County you have not only a building standing, but it is a 'home'. I'd love to see the place. Any information about that Booth property would be much-welcomed. And, Maggie, I called Mary Surratt's daughter, Anne. I re-read your post and saw her name is 'Anna'. Sorry about that. I was just very excited about all this neat and new (to me) information you were supplying me with in such a short time. I did some online research and found that Mary Surratt was executed on July 7, 1865. So, that makes the anniversary of her hauntings on July 6 of each year. I guess the White House isn't giving any public tours at Night. Can you imagine standing outside the White House gates with a pair of binoculars (and possibly a few other interested companions) and constantly watching the door of the White House while being watched in return by Treasury Agents? I guess one or more of the White House Security would come over for a little 'chat' about what's going on. Then one has to explain to th Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42558 /] 11,986 Views
Im not sure of the address, but my moms old address was 2012 churchville rd. The property is directly across the street and has no mailbox or identifying features. There is a long and foster sign out front of it. If you look into the woods, you will see an old white house back there. Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42559 /] 11,986 Views
I dont belive any of the Booth family lived in the house, there were several "farm hand" Houses on the property. One is getting ready to be torn down at the corner of Prospect Mill and 22. Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42560 /] 11,986 Views Maggie, Hi. Okay...first, I stand corrected (by you) that it was Stanton and not Seward who was stabbed that Night. I knew when I was typing 'Seward' that it just didn't feel right. (laughing) But, I knew what he looked like ... kinda' mean and serious. Gosh, I used to know this stuff. The information about "John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Tour" is very, very appreciated. Just as soon as I send this little missive on its way, I'll mosey on over to that website and see if I can get a form sent to me. I am not usually one for 'tours', but this one sounds great. And no need to apologize, Maggie, about some slightly incorrect directions ... I'll sort through all this neat 'BoothSurrattLincoln Business' and put some order to it in my befuddled mind. And the help from you and the others is a kindness. Thank you all. Geez, that conspirator at Stanton's dwelling sure meant business! Ouch! As for Hans Holzer ... I had the pleasure to attend a lecture given by Mr. Holzer some years ago at Essex Community College in Rosedale, Maryland. I had been reading his books since the late 60's ... 1960's, and was a big fan of his. I remember reading about Hans' outings to many places, including the USS Constellation in Baltimore' very own harbor. Back then the waterfront wasn't all fixed-up, and Holzer and his travelling companion, Sybil Leek(sp?), had to climb up ropes on the side of the ship to get aboard. Such were those days. To be seen here ... Never More. By the time I saw Holzer, Miss Sybil had passed-away. At the end of his lecture there was the standard 'Question & Answer Session'. Holzer was a semi-hero to me back then, and I wanted so bad just to talk to him, if only through asking a question. So, after failing to get 'called-on' (despite my raising my hand, which I'd been taught in school was the correct procedure) I was giving-up hope. Then Mr. Holzer says, 'I have time for one more question. So who here has 'the most' important question to ask'. We laughed, and then al Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42561 /] 11,986 Views
Maggie, MdMike and All, Hi. I've just downloaded the form for 'The John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Tour' and the application to join the Mary Surratt Society (although that sounds a little gay). Well, it could have been worse ... 'The Mary Surratt Sewing Circle Society'. Not this boy. These folks aren't booking tours until January for the upcoming Spring Tour! This must be a good one! I think I'll sign-up for the Spring and Fall Tours. Things are somehow more atmosfearic to me in the Fall. I'm okay for the Spring Tour since it was in the Spring-time when Booth became the first person to take this tour. MdMike, thank you for the additional information about the ex-Booth Property in Harford County. I'm sorry to hear another Olde Building is about to be demolished. Maggie wrote this: "Mary Surratt allegedly haunts Brandywine Road. Supposedly on dark, foggy nights/mornings you can see her ghost walking along Brandywine and Horseshoe Roads which are adjacent to her home." Me now ... Terry: Oh, boy! I know that yesterday I said this just keeps getting better, but by jingies, it surely does! Now 'that' is a sight I'd love to see. I will be doing my homework on all this so I won't appear to be as ignorant as I truly am. I'll be printing-out all these directions and locations. I've just made a 'John Wilkes Booth' folder on my computer, and will be putting this altogether so that even a 'Terry' can understand it. If anyone here is going on the Spring or Fall Tour of J.W.'s 'escape' route, I'll be the one at 'Question and Answer Time' who raises his hand and asks, "Mr. Holzer, how did you become interested in ghost?" (ha!) But, it does show that there 'IS' such a thing as a stupid question. Have A Great Day, Everyone of Yous! Stay Safe For The Holidays (if you want). Beast Witches Owl'ways, Scary Terry Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42565 /] 11,986 Views
Re: Sybil Leach (I think that was her surname) was the psychic who helped Holzer with the Surratt House investigation. The Escape Tour is really good. I highly recommend it to anyone who's interested in that part of history. The tour starts at Ford's Theater and ends at the median strip where the Garret farm was. Also, it's an exclusive tour so the homes/buildings are open for the tour group only. When I went on it, we had Ford's Theater to ourselves and were able to run around it. Be sure to bring some cash because you stop for lunch at Captain Billy's seafood restaurant in Pope's Creek. IIRC, John Wilkes Booth's family home in Harford County was Tudor Hall. Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42567 /] 11,986 Views can you post a link for information on the Escape tour.... or did I miss it? Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42568 /] 11,986 Views
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I came across this. I hadn't realized there was such a big to-do about it. Another conspiracy theory! EXPOSING THE MYTH THAT JOHN WILKES BOOTH ESCAPED SOURCE The most recent development in the history of the Lincoln Assassination is the 1995 trial on the petition to exhume John Wilkes Booth from Green Mount Cemetery. The name of the legal case is Kline v. The Green Mount Cemetery. Like the lingering controversy over the assassination of President Kennedy, for 50 or more years after the assassination of President Lincoln there were theories and speculation that Booth escaped, including a popular book published in 1907. The official and accepted history, however, is that Booth is buried in Baltimore in an unmarked grave in the Booth family plot in Green Mount Cemetery. In 1991, NBC's Unsolved Mysteries produced a TV show that depicted the escape theory, and the myth that Booth escaped was up and running again. In 1993, a small group of "historians" pushed for the exhumation of Booth's body. Green Mount Cemetery opposed the exhumation, so these historians filed a petition with the Circuit Court. The case was tried here in Baltimore before Judge Joseph H.H. Kaplan. During the trial, the escape theory was presented, subject to the scrutiny of the legal process and the rigors of cross examination. The case attracted national and international media attention. Judge Kaplan's opinion recounts the evidence he found most important in denying the Petition. The appellate opinion of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals affirming Judge Kaplan is officially reported at 110 Md. App. 383 (1996). As of today, it is the last chapter in the history of the Lincoln Assassination. This trial and appeal are a unique combination of law and history! Rarely do history debates leave the confines of classrooms, academic journals, or meetings of amateur historians. In Maryland, however, an obscure history debate exploded into the courts. The debate involve Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42599 /] 11,986 Views
Here's another site about escape route tours: http://www.civilwar-va.com/maryland/booth .html
Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42601 /] 11,986 Views Last fall the Washington Post... they had posted the escape route as a driving tour! If I can find that information I will post it! Join free for top speed and maximum content. [post=42618 /] 11,986 Views Hi, All. That J.W. ... I swear. Will that boy never stop stirring-up mischief? Interesting reading about the recent Court Case dealing with Booth's remains. I can understand some folks not wanting to disturb the 'resting remains' of Booth, but as additional information that might be gained by obtaining a 'sampling' of his DNA, it seems that it would be mostly 'a good thing'. If it could be proven by DNA that it is Mr. Booth buried in Greenmount Cemetery, then that would kinda' put a lot of questions to rest. If the DNA could be proven to definitely not be that of Booth, then, lordy! Mark one up for the 'Conspiracy Theorists'. Having what's left of my memory jarred over these 'Booth Matters' lately, I do recall some rather good testimony given by some who captured Booth, and tended to him while he was dying (I think in the back of a wagon ... stationary on the Garrett Property). The account given by a soldier (whose name escapes me at this moment) gave a very detailed account of Booth's final moments on Earth ... before he became a 'Ghost'. I don't have much doubt that the unfortunate fellow lying there dying was J.W. Having possible 'definitive proof' that Booth is or isn't buried in Greenmount Cemetery would be historically quite valuable. I guess back in 1865 they had all the 'definitive proof' they needed, and I cannot rightly say they were wrong. People wanted 'blood', and I don't think Booth could have gotten away and have people believe he was dead. As we know, some Cemeteries, Historic Houses, Churches and so on do not want their 'special attractions' to be proven to be false. Sometimes their revenue depends on such legends persisting. I hope this is not the case at Greenmount Cemetery. If I had the right to exhume the body alleged to be Mr. Booth's, I'd just have to do it for the enlightenment of History. Naturally, it would be a very respectful occassion, and done with the supreme care, not just to keep the bones together, but because I would be dealing with the rem |
