The Lincoln Assassination On This Day (July 4 – July 31)

#OTD July 4, 1864: #DavidHerold left the employ of druggist William S. Thompson. During his time with Thompson, Herold actually wrote up an order of castor oil for President Lincoln, though it’s unclear if he mixed & delivered the medicine himself. pic.twitter.com/Ayzcq4b5zb

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 4, 2022

🇺🇸🧵Benjamin Swearer was a recipient of the Medal of Honor as a Navy Seaman for being the first man to raise the American flag on the captured Confederate fort of Fort Clark on North Carolina’s Outer Banks in 1861. In 1863, Swearer was the color sergeant for the 9th MD Infantry… pic.twitter.com/odlBXGvdEs

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 4, 2022

#OTD July 5, 1865: President Andrew Johnson approved the sentences for the Lincoln conspirators including the execution of #LewisPowell, #DavidHerold, #GeorgeAtzerodt, and #MarySurratt which he scheduled for July 7. Johnson later claimed he never saw the clemency plea for Surratt pic.twitter.com/eCI4i5eTvR

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 5, 2022

#OTD July 6, 1865: Gen. Hartranft visited the cells of the four conspirators sentenced to death & informed them of their execution scheduled for the next day. Preachers & family were then sent for. Outside the cells, the sounds of a gallows being constructed could be heard. pic.twitter.com/EZJmAQhM8e

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 6, 2022

#OTD July 7, 1865: “Sic Semper Sicarii” pic.twitter.com/7VUTvmoXqt

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 7, 2022

Two years ago #OTD I was at the grave of #LewisPowell in Geneva, Florida and shot this video about his execution and eventual burial: https://t.co/xFwkgFMjtr

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 7, 2022

#OnThisDay in 1865, four people convicted of conspiring to assassinate #AbrahamLincoln were executed. They were George Atzerodt, Lewis Powell (aka Lewis Payne), David Herold and Mary Surratt.

More on the conspirators and the ALPLM's grim souvenir: https://t.co/kec47agDxA. pic.twitter.com/1QSgojK66d

— Lincoln Presidential Library (@ALPLM) July 7, 2022

#OTD July 8, 1865: An anonymous man wrote a threatening letter to President Johnson. The execution of the conspirators had “cost your life,” wrote “KWR”. The end of the manifesto contained poor drawings of a gun & knife (which, IMO, really weakened the seriousness of the threat). pic.twitter.com/dRSrIhDJmT

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 8, 2022

#OTD July 9, 1865: #MarySurratt was executed with her final words being “Unto God I would commit my cause”…at least that’s what this wildly incorrect plaque placed by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1917 would have you believe: https://t.co/WHKGyrOcmH

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 9, 2022

#OTD July 10, 1865: John T. Ford attempted to reopen @fordstheatre. However due to threats of rioting and arson, the War Department sent soldiers to shut it down. By the end of the month, Ford would make a deal with Sec. Stanton for the government to purchase the site for $100K. pic.twitter.com/yZaMy63jka

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 10, 2022

#OTD July 11, 1865: Benn Pitman, hard at work editing his transcript of the conspirators’ trial, wrote to Thomas Ewing asking for any corrections to his closing arguments for #DrMudd & #EdmanSpangler. Pitman was trying to “make a symmetrical thing out of a great heap of rubbish”. pic.twitter.com/3LaC0O3c3n

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 11, 2022

#OTD July 12, 1918: Everton Conger died at the age of 84. In 1865, Conger was a federal detective who tracked down #JohnWilkesBooth with the 16th NY Cavalry. It was Conger who set the Garrett barn on fire in hopes of smoking Booth out. Conger received $15,000 in reward money. pic.twitter.com/VvqsBWg1lK

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 12, 2022

#OTD July 13, 1863: Draft riots rocked New York City. Capt. Adam Badeau was recovering in the city & sought shelter with his friend, #EdwinBooth. Years later, Badeau recalled how Edwin’s brother, #JohnWilkesBooth, helped protect him & his Black servant from the murderous mobs. pic.twitter.com/1S5AaCkLpS

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 13, 2022

#OTD July 14, 1864: #JohnWilkesBooth wrote to Isabel Sumner in Boston. The 26 y/o Booth had become infatuated with the 17 y/o over the summer of ‘64. The @ALPLM has 6 letters he wrote & an engraved pearl ring he gave Isabel in their collection: https://t.co/bAbtbEwDMZ pic.twitter.com/xbncSHAVEQ

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 14, 2022

#OTD July 15, 1865: President Johnson modified the sentences for the four surviving Lincoln conspirators, changing their future place of confinement from Albany, NY to Fort Jefferson, @DryTortugasNPS. The conspirators were not aware of the change & would sail south in 2 days. pic.twitter.com/1IYKcNWEMR

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 15, 2022

#OTD July 16, 1858: #BostonCorbett, the future slayer of #JohnWilkesBooth, was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital. The deeply religious and eccentric hatter had castrated himself with a pair of scissors and, unsurprisingly, required medical attention. pic.twitter.com/0TwJcFi6po

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 16, 2022

#OTD July 17, 1884: Willie Jett died at the age of 37. In 1865, Pvt. Jett, along with two fellow Confederate soldiers, ran into the escaping #JohnWilkesBooth at Port Conway, VA. Jett assisted JWB, dropping him off at the Garretts’, but immediately informed on him when questioned. pic.twitter.com/mPLHXaP8XK

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 17, 2022

#OTD July 18, 1857: #JohnWilkesBooth offered up the Booth family home of Tudor Hall (@SpiritsTH) for rent. #EdwinBooth’s return from the west as a famous actor, allowed the Booths to leave their Maryland farm for a more prosperous lifestyle. JWB became a stock actor in Philly. pic.twitter.com/Odxdme00OH

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 18, 2022

#OTD July 19, 1893: The Galveston News published a letter by Rev. Richard B. Garrett regarding the theories that #JohnWilkesBooth wasn’t killed. As usual, Rev. Garrett, who witnessed JWB’s death firsthand, didn’t hold back when addressing such theories. https://t.co/JHunbvpxrz pic.twitter.com/egYcFGoFMx

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 19, 2022

#OTD July 20, 1865: Michael Henry, a bartender at the Kirkwood House hotel, wrote a letter inquiring about possible reward money. When Det. John Lee was sent to the Kirkwood House on 4/15 to protect VP Johnson, Henry told him about a scoliosis guest named #GeorgeAtzerodt… pic.twitter.com/8CaNyExSPq

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 20, 2022

#OTD July 21, 1861: Pink Parker joined the Confederate army. The epitome of a sore loser, in the decades after the war, Pink celebrated the anniversary of Lincoln’s death by wearing a paper badge. He even erected a monument to #JohnWilkesBooth in his front yard in Troy, AL. pic.twitter.com/fuYmngzOid

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 21, 2022

#OTD July 22, 1865: As #DrMudd was being transported by ship down to Fort Jefferson, @DryTortugasNPS, he allegedly told Capt Geo Dutton & others onboard that he knew who #JohnWilkesBooth was when JWB showed up at his door but due to his family was fearful to tell the authorities. pic.twitter.com/CFahQ5NDLa

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 22, 2022

#OTD July 23, 1865: Dr. George Porter, accompanying the conspirators on the ship to @DryTortugasNPS, wrote that they were “very despondent”. In particular, he noted that #EdmanSpangler’s “goodness seems to have vanished.” The next day they arrived at Fort Jefferson. pic.twitter.com/MEO47C7hoF

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 23, 2022

#OTD July 24, 1865: #JohnWilkesBooth wrote again to Isabel Sumner apologizing if his prior letters had offended her. JWB had expressed his amorous feelings for Isabel, & likely worried he scared off the 17 y/o. “Remember, dear friend not to let anyone see my letters,” he wrote. pic.twitter.com/iWSQ1a8heV

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 24, 2022

#OTD July 25, 1862: #JohnWilkesBooth wrote a letter to E. F. Keach of the Boston Museum agreeing to a future engagement at the venue. JWB was always well received in Boston. This letter is missing JWB’s signature, it having been clipped by some autograph collector. pic.twitter.com/X48ey3z8WA

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 25, 2022

#OTD July 26, 1900: Dr. Samuel A. H. McKim died at the age of 74. In 1865, McKim testified on behalf of #DavidHerold describing the 22 y/o as a, “light, trivial, unreliable boy – in mind about 11 years of age.” Portraying Davy as immature was a defense gambit to save his life. pic.twitter.com/AR133DSJu4

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 26, 2022

#OTD July 27, 1867: #DrMudd wrote a letter to his wife from @DryTortugasNPS. He had sent her a cribbage board from his work in Fort Jefferson’s carpentry shop. He also stated he passed up a chance to have his photo taken. At a later date #DrMudd did have his photo taken there. pic.twitter.com/0xGPRQXnc5

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 27, 2022

#OTD July 28, 1881: #EdwinBooth responded to a note asking for information about his brother, #JohnWilkesBooth. While Edwin tried to play it off that he never knew his brother well, I think historian Arthur Bloom aptly counters this myth: pic.twitter.com/9vlhP3rbkA

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 28, 2022

#OTD July 29, 1858: Future @fordstheatre stagehand #EdmanSpangler married Mary Brasheare. Their marriage was a short one, however, as Mary died at the age of 49 six years later. The @DrMuddHouse found Mary Spangler’s unmarked grave at Baltimore Cemetery as few years ago: https://t.co/F8vVGRbtAq

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 29, 2022

#OTD July 30, 1864: #JuniusBrutusBoothJr noted in his diary the arrival of #JohnWilkesBooth to New London, CT. The Booth family, including #EdwinBooth & #AsiaBooth, were all vacationing together at the beach home of theater owner William Stuart. They spent days sailing & fishing. pic.twitter.com/25HQlbJrte

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 30, 2022

#OTD July 31, 1854: An arrest warrant was issued for 16 y/o #JohnWilkesBooth. A farm overseer had spoken disrespectfully to his mother & sisters, so JWB clubbed him & “made him bleed like a butcher”. A trial of sorts occurred at @SpiritsTH, where JWB was told to keep the peace. pic.twitter.com/3lVGvet0Kh

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 31, 2022

I’m sadden to report the death of Bob Cook, of Bryantown, MD. Bob was involved in the Lincoln assassination scene for decades. In 1992, he purchased the Bryantown Tavern where #JohnWilkesBooth had stayed in 1864. Here’s a pic I took of Bob when we did a tour of @fordstheatre. pic.twitter.com/WJNUSgsO7Z

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 29, 2022

🧵 In 1907, the first film adaptation of Ben-Hur was produced. Author Lew Wallace had written the highly successful book 15 years after he had served on the commission that tried & convicted the Lincoln assassination conspirators. Wallace had died in 1905 & early filmmakers… pic.twitter.com/SvWrkGXXh6

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 12, 2022

🧵Immediately after the assassination of Lincoln, Sec. of War Edwin Stanton brought in three commissioners to gather & organize the evidence about #JohnWilkesBooth and his conspirators. One of these commissioners was Col. Henry Steel Olcott… pic.twitter.com/eLtwLgV2dR

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 26, 2022

In Hillsboro, TX is the grave of Richard Potts. Born in King George County, VA, a young Potts heard about the escape of #JohnWilkesBooth & #DavidHerold through his county from his father’s servant, William Lucas. JWB forced his way into Lucas’ cabin to sleep on April 23, 1865. pic.twitter.com/80AOLrIokH

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 15, 2022

As a fellow POW at Andersonville, Richard Thatcher met #BostonCorbett, the future slayer of #JohnWilkesBooth. In 1888, after Corbett escaped from a Kansas asylum, he visited with his old friend Thatcher (who had petitioned for his release) right before disappearing to history. pic.twitter.com/iy7LuwOYQj

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 15, 2022

Finis L. Bates wrote the book The Escape and Suicide of #JohnWilkesBooth popularizing the bogus theory that JWB escaped justice in 1865 & eventually died by his own hands in Enid, OK in 1903. Today, @thejen2615 & I visited his grave In Memphis’ @ElmwoodCemetery. pic.twitter.com/IibJ1sTtdr

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 23, 2022

On Dec. 24, 1864, Union Pvt. Augustus Lockner was captured near Warrenton, VA. While being held, an angry civilian attacked the captured U.S. soldiers. Lockner was saved through the intervention of future conspirator #LewisPowell, then a member of Mosby’s Rangers. pic.twitter.com/xZ9dp4ujYv

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 24, 2022

Printable version of the Civil War Trails brochure now available! https://t.co/PJxM5LW10r

— Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Society (@DrMuddHouse) July 4, 2022

The #JohnWilkesBooth CDV is also signed, but on the back. This was a photo JWB gave to Isabel Sumner during their correspondence in 1864. JWB’s letters and photos (he sent her 4) are in the @ALPLM’s Taper collection. https://t.co/xZNiYRPQ9O pic.twitter.com/kaXXIGeCQs

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 23, 2022

I stumbled upon this newspaper illustration of the time #EdwinBooth saved the life of Robert Todd Lincoln prior to the assassination. Never seen this depiction of the event before. pic.twitter.com/1EGeQnKWXs

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 8, 2022

Kittie Brink was the penultimate survivor of the cast & crew at @fordstheatre who witnessed Lincoln’s assassination. In 1865, she was the 14 y/o child bride of actor Edwin Brink, working backstage dressing actresses & sometimes acting. She died in North Dakota in 1935. pic.twitter.com/H6edRPoGLi

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 8, 2022

In 1849, a 15 year old Samuel Mudd enrolled in St. John's College in Frederick, Maryland. Here is a quick two part video on his time in Frederick. Part II will be in the comments. pic.twitter.com/4NVsADip2y

— Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Society (@DrMuddHouse) July 8, 2022

After President McKinley’s assassin, Leon Czolgosz, was sentenced to death in 1901, a resident of Michigan offered his services as Leon’s executioner. He was 70 y/o Christian Rath who had supervised the execution of the Lincoln conspirators in 1865. pic.twitter.com/KOPBQgGDuJ

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 9, 2022

Often confused to be a marker for the assassin, #JohnWilkes Booth, this white stone in the Booth family plot is #AsiaBoothClarke’s foot stone, his older sister. He is buried in an unmarked grave on the other side of the obelisk. https://t.co/3hAAAy95b6 pic.twitter.com/Sc5wBoVkke

— SpiritsOfTudorHall (@SpiritsTH) July 16, 2022

I just found this photocopy of an 1981 picture of Howard Fox. Howard and his wife Dorothy lived at the Booth family home of Tudor Hall for many years and worked to preserve it. Here Howard has a shirt he had made which says, “Expose Yourself to #EdwinBooth” 😂 @SpiritsTH pic.twitter.com/HBn2Od2QJM

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 19, 2022

We saved Lincoln. No big deal.

(It was a Lincoln assassination themed escape room in Omaha, Nebraska that I had wanted to do for years) pic.twitter.com/gQWJNl229G

— Dave Taylor (@LinConspirators) July 17, 2022