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Lincoln Assassination Letter From Lead Detective -- ''...I think Mrs Surratt, next to Booth was the

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Lincoln Assassination Letter From Lead Detective -- ''...I think Mrs Surratt, next to Booth was the

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Auction Date:2013 Jul 23 @ 17:00 (UTC-7 : PDT/MST)
Location:11901 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90025, United States
Letter in pen from Almarin C. Richards, DC Police Superintendent and witness to Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre. Richards writes to Louis Weichmann, whose controversial testimony was the key evidence in convicting conspirator Mary Surratt. Richards discusses the level of John Surratt's involvement in the plot and his escape from America immediately after the assassination: ''...I cannot agree with you that next to Booth, John H. Surratt was the arch conspirator. I think Mrs. Surratt, next to Booth was the moving spirit. See that the book is well advertised and it will command a wide circulation. I observe that in Chapter 1 p 8 you state that Surratt was captured in Italy while serving in the Papal Zouaves. My recollection is that he escaped or left that service and fled to Egypt and was there captured. In this I may be in error as I write from memory only. I am quite sure that the accounts published of his capture at about the time it occurred located his arrest in Egypt. And I so understood the fact to be when I received Surratt at the Washington Navy Yard from the hands of the chief officer of the U.S. vessel that brought him to Washington. I took charge of Surratt at the Navy Yard and convoyed him to the City Hall where I handed him over to the U.S. Marshall. I note nothing to criticize in the chapters read. You handle the subject in a judicious and attractive manner. I hope to see succeeding chapters as you have opportunity to send them. Do you get anything satisfactory from [Detective James A.] McDevitt? He has written me twice on the subject. His letters are very brief and general in statements...A.C. Richards''. 8'' x 10'' letter is datelined 2 June 1898 from Eustis, Florida. Minor separation at the folds; overall very good.
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