March 2012 Auction Ends Wednesday, March 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/28/2012
Letter handwritten by Dr. George Porter, doctor for the imprisoned Lincoln assassins, who was present at their execution and at the midnight burial of John Wilkes Booth's body by the War Department. Dated 30 August 1900, Porter writes to Louis Weichmann, chief prosecution witness at the conspirators' trial, who wrote a book about the assassination. Porter praises Weichmann on the accuracy of his book, ''...I have read and reread with great interest the chapters of the new book wh. you were so kind as to send to me. The charm and value of personal knowlege of important incidents and events give an actuality to the narratives of history which can not be found in the compilation of books. The incident of the cavalry men on the road over the Eastern Branch carried one back to the time where we originated Camp Stoneman with the Regular Cavalry Brigade waiting there for recounts. I congratulate you upon the method, manner, and style of the manuscript and the many men and important incidents described...'' He signs, ''Geo. L. Porter''. The Eastern Branch refers to a branch of the Potomac River crossed by Booth during his escape from Washington. Minor soiling and creasing to 8'' x 12.5'' single page letter, else very good.
Lincoln Assassination Letter Signed by George Porter, Doctor to the Imprisoned Conspirators -- ''...personal knowledge of important incidents...cannot be found in the compilation of books...''
Click above for larger image.