March 2012 Auction Ends Wednesday, March 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/28/2012
Letter, dated 17 November 1901, from Almarin C. Richards to Louis Weichmann, prosecution witness at the trial of the Lincoln assassination conspirators. Richards, D.C. Police Superintendent at the time of the assassination, mentions Gen. Thomas Harris, a member of the military commission that tried the conspirators. Harris wrote books and articles on the assassination. Richards also gives his opinion of John Clampitt, a member of Mary Surratt's defense team, in his one page letter. It reads in part, ''...I read Gen. Harris' article and was very much interested in it. He always seems to make strong points. It seems to me Clampitt is hardly worthy of his attention. I had not heard or thought of Clampitt for years before reading your letter. When I knew him in Washington he was little more than a big mouthed political rounder -- certainly had no standing as a lawyer, or otherwise, except as a rebel sympathizer without the courage of his opinions...'' Light toning and chipping to 8'' x 10'' single sheet, else very good.
Abraham Lincoln Assassination Letter From the Lead Detective -- ''...Clampitt [Mary Surratt's defense lawyer] was little more than a big mouthed political rounder...''
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