April 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, April 2nd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/2/2013
Fascinating and very scarce autograph letter signed regarding details of the plot to abduct and assassinate President Lincoln. Letter by Almarin C. Richards, Washington DC Police Superintendent and attendee at Ford's Theatre the night of the killing, writes to Louis Weichmann, the prosecution's chief conspiracy witness. Richards refers to the abortive attempt to capture and abduct the President to Virginia, and to the conspirator's meetings with Mary Surrat, Dr. Mudd and the infamous assassin, John Wilkes Booth. In full, ''My Dear Sir: Yours of the 4th inst. to hand, you request of me a statement of the facts you reported to me on Saturday April 15th 1865 and subsequently. I recall, generally that you reported very important facts in relation to your being present on occasions when Booth met Surratt, Dr Mudd, Payne and others at hotels on the street and at Mrs. Surratt's house. Also that you observed several movements of these conspirators that satisfied you that they, sometime in March, I think made an abortive attempt to capture and abduct the President to Virginia. Also I recall your statements in relation to your trip to Surrattsville with Mrs S [Surratt] on Friday the 14th of April. I think it was &c. &c. but just at that time I was getting so many reports from different persons that I fear I might confound reports made by you with those made by others. I kept no memoranda of those events and must rely entirely on memory. Thirty three years is a long time to retain particulars. Now I wish you would write me giving a statement of what you did report to me. Such a statement will refresh my memory and enable me to segregate your statements from those made by others. Also indicate the ground you want covered by my statement. On receipt of that I will prepare such a paper as will will meet your desires...I have written to [Detective James] McDevitt for certain facts and ought to hear from him soon. He is a little slow sometimes in answering letters. Very truly yours, A.C. Richards.'' The 8'' x 10'' 2pp. letter is datelined Eustis, FL, 9 May 1898. Minor smudging, chipping and toning. Overall in very good condition with bold, clear handwriting.
Eyewitness Letter to Abraham Lincoln's Assassination -- ''...Booth met Surratt, Dr Mudd, Payne...these conspirators...made an abortive attempt to capture and abduct the President to Virginia...''
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