Lincoln Conspiracy, the Evidence For

The interesting thing about the Lincoln assassination is that, unlike other presidential assassinations particularly JFK, the Lincoln plot was a real conspiracy. Not necessary to speculate any further than what we historically already know about Booth and his co-conspirators.
 
Here a note:

The Day of Atonement
The one fact that may be most significant is one that all theorists including Chiniquy seem to have ignored completely: April 14, 1865 was not just any Friday, but Good Friday. Perhaps this oversight was because the president’s life lingered until Saturday. To most historians, who see the assassination largely as a crime of opportunity triggered by the fall of the Confederacy, this means nothing; but even if it was, would Booth and his fellow plotters have seen it that way? Would it not be seen as entirely providential and foreordained that the “bloodthirsty tyrant” be slain the very day Christ was crucified? Would it not have given a fanatic even further impetus?
And how, for that matter, did the fact that Lincoln was shot on Good Friday contribute to his later being deified as the “savior” of the country?
As with that other assassination nearly a century later of a “martyred” Catholic president by a “lone gunman”, the truth will never be known. But considering the equally dubious conspiracy theories in regard to Kennedy that seem less implausible as time goes on, it may not be quite so easy to dismiss the Catholic connection to Lincoln’s murder as it once was.

Here is the link: http://archives.weirdload.com/lincoln.html
 
Gi have read a bit to and see not a conspiracy but an effort to cloud things maybe. I can't say it's the Catholics or any particular group. Inclined to believe many hands were work. Speaking of the Catholic thing...
Meade very Catholic, born in Spain, was visited supposedly by a very high Catholic envoy. Just prior to Gettysburg. Asked to throw the upcoming battle...
 
Let your inter conspirator be free, embrace the conspiracy...
Thanks for your response.
What makes the suggestion that a conspiracy attempted to get Meade to "throw" the Battle of Gettysburg even more ludicrous is that not so long ago a member insisted that Lee himself was part of a successful conspiracy to "throw" the Battle of Gettysburg and the entire rebel effort!
 
I'd like to see a counter argument to what Thomas says. He makes a lot of claims, but historians don't seem to follow his lead. So I'm skeptical at best.
He relies heavily on the 1977 FBI report on Booth's "diary." and a confession of Azerdot that was discovered the same year. As I read his second book, I would stop and question the logic on a number of things, but Azerdodt named names and the FBI proved that the diary was edited, cut up and recopied. That's a lot of smoke for there to be no fire.
 
Here is the third confession of Atzerodt which was published in 1977.

Atzerodt confession given to James McPhail and John L. Smith, May 1, 1865
Shortly after being transferred from the U.S.S. Saugus to the Old Arsenal Penitentiary, George Atzerodt was interviewed by his brother-in-law, John L. Smith who worked as a detective for James McPhail, the Baltimore Provost Marshal, who was also present. Over the course of two hours, Atzerodt gave a lengthy confession to the men. This statement was "lost" for over 100 years until 1977, when it was discovered by Lincoln assassination researcher Joan Chaconas with the family of Atzerodt's lawyer, William Doster.

"James Wood sometimes called Mosby boarded with Mrs. Murray an Irish woman on the corner of 9 & F St. in a three story house, front on the upper end of the P.O. and South End of Patent Office – with basement entrance on the left side going up 9th​ St. from Avenue. He was a little over six feet, black hair, smooth round face, gray coat black pants, & spring coat mixed with white & gray. Saw him last time on Friday evening about 5 o'clock with Booth. He sent letters to the post office with James Hall. He was brought from New York. Surratt told me so. He said he had been a prisoner in Balte. near the depot. He was arrested for whipping a negro woman. Mosby was Wood's nick name – did not know him by any other name than mentioned. Gust. Powell now arrested in Old Capitol was one of the party. He went also by the name of Gustavus Spencer, Surratt and Spencer came from Richmond, together just after it had fallen.
James Donaldson, a low chunky man about 23 or 24 years of age, small-potted, dark complexion (not very) deep plain black suit; only saw him one time & this was Wednesday previous to the murder, he was having an interview with Booth and told him to meet him on Friday eve & he replied he would and left and went up Penn. Avenue towards the Treasury building. I was under the impression he came on with Booth.
Arnold, O'Laughlin, Surratt, Harold, Booth and myself met once at a saloon or restaurant on the Aven. bet 13 & 14 St.
The Saml. Thomas registered on the morning of the 15th​ April at Penn Hotel, I met on my to hotel, he was an entire Stranger to me. I left the Hotel alone on the morning of 15th​ of April. A Lieut. In room No. 51 will prove this. Surratt bought a boat from Dick Smoot & James Brawner living about Port Tobacco, for which they paid $300.00 and was to give one hundred Dolls. extra for taking care of it till wanted. Booth told me that Mrs. Surratt went to Surrattsville to get out the guns (Two Carbines) which had been taken to that place by Herold, This was Friday. The carriage was hired at Howards.
I saw a man named Weightman who boarded at Surratt's at Post Office. he told me he had to go down the Country with Mrs. Surratt. This was on Friday, Also.
I am certain Dr. Mudd knew all about it, as Booth sent (as he told me) liquors & provisions for the trip with the President to Richmond, about two weeks before the murder to Dr. Mudd's.
Booth never said until the last night (Friday) that he intended to kill the President.
Herold came to the Kirkwood House, same evening for me to go to see Booth. I went with Herold & saw Booth. He then said he was going to kill the President and Wood, the Secy. of State. I did not believe him. This occurred in the evening about 7 ½ o'clock. It was dark. I took a room at Kirkwood's. Both Herold & I went to the room left Herold's coat, knife, & pistol in the room and never again returned to it. Booth said during the day that the thing had failed and proposed to go to Richmond & open the theatre. I am not certain but I think I stayed one night at Kirkwood's (Thursday) we were to try and get papers to Richmond from Mr. Johnson.
Booth spoke of getting the papers. He would get them out of the Theatre. Wood & Booth were apparently confidential with each other. Plenty of parties in Charles County knew of the kidnapping affair.
One of the men named Charles Yates, knew all about it, he went to Richmond during the winter he was to row the Presdt & party over.
Thos. Holborn [Harbin] was to meet us on the road and help in the kidnaping. Bailey & Barnes knew nothing of the affair unless Booth told Bailey & he told Barnes. Booth had met Bailey on "C" St. with me. I did not meet Booth or any of the party in Baltimore on or about the 31 of March.
Boyle also killed Capt. Watkins near Annapolis last month, was one of the party, in the conspiracy.
I repeat I never knew anything about the murder.
I was intended to give assistance to the kidnapping. They come to Port Tobacco (Surratt & Booth) several times and brought me to Washington. The pistol given me I sold or received a loan on it Saturday morng after the murder from John Caldwick at Matthews & wells, Store, High St. Georgetown. The knife I threw away just above Mrs. Canby's boarding house the night of the murder about 11 o'clock when I took my horse to stable. I had the horse out to help to take the President. I did not believe he was going to be killed, although Booth had said so. After I heard of the murder I run about the city like a crazy man.
I have not seen Arnold for some time, but saw O'Laughlin on Thursday evening, on the Avenue at Saloon near near U.S. Hotel. He told me he was going to see Booth.
Wood did not go on the street in day time for fear of arrest. When he first came to Washington he boarded at Surratt's. This was in Feby. He (Wood) went with Booth last of February to N. York.
Booth we understood paid the way. I know nothing about Canada. Wood told me he had horses in Virginia. Saml. Arnold & Mike O'Laughlin ought to know where the horses and pistols were bought.
Sam & Mike have a buggy and horse kept at stable in rear of Theatre. Booth had several horses at same place. I think the horses property was in Surratt's name. I sold one of the horses & paid part of the money to Booth and part to Herold, who said he would see Booth about it. The saddle and bridle belonging to Booth is at Penn House, where I left it. I overhead Booth when in conversation with Wood say, That he visited a chambermaid at Seward's House & that she was pretty. He said he had a great mind to give her his diamond pin. Herold talked about powders & medicines on Friday night at Mrs. Condby's. Wood, Herold, Booth & myself were present. This was a meeting place because Wood could not go out for fear of arrest.
Kate Thompson or Kate Brown, as she was known by both names, put up at National & was well known at Penn House. She knew all about the affair. Surratt went to Richd with her last March & Gust. Howell made a trip with her to same place. This woman is about twenty yrs of age, good looking and well dressed. Black hair and eyes, round face from South Carolina & a widow.
I did not see Surratt for seven or eight days before the murder nor have I seen him since.
Miss Thompson or Brown had two large light trunks, one much larger than the other. Young Weightman at Surratt's ought to know about this woman. This remark made by me in Baltimore on the 31 of March alluded to blockade running & privateering altogether & Booth said he had money to buy a steamer & wanted me to go in it.
I was to be one of them. In this way I was going to make a pile of money.
Booth said he had met a party in N. York who would get the Prest. certain. They were going to mine the end of Kirk House, next to War Dept. They knew an entrance to accomplish it through. Spoke about getting friends of the Presdt. to get up an entertainment & they would mix in it, have a serenade &c & thus get at the Presdt. & party.
These were understood to be projects.
Booth said if he did not get him quick the N. York crowd would. Booth knew the New York party apparently by a sign. He saw Booth give some kind of sign to two parties on the Avenue who he said were from New York. My Uncle Mr. Richter and family in Monty. Co. Md. knew nothing about the affair either before or after the occurrence & never suspected me of any thing wrong as I was in the habit of staying with him. My father formerly owned part of the property now owned by Richter. Finis."
 
The Don Thomas video is odd. Thomas takes on the role of a persecuted truth teller, telling a story that no one else has been able to. So in 157 years no one else has found what he has uncovered.

He raises a conspiracy theory about a mummy! Which he says there is no evidence for!

Thomas, in discussing the common claim that Booth's group was an existing Confederate intelligence cell, says "look at what we are accused of." Assuming that Thomas is not more than 160 years old, why lump himself in with the accused conspirators? Objective researchers don't do that.

Thomas says that there are thousands of books on the Lincoln assassination, but that his can't get published because of a conspiracy by publishers to keep selling their often decades old books on the Lincoln assassination at Ford's Theater! He clearly does not understand the economics of publishing. Old books rarely reap much profit for the publisher. New books claiming to offer fresh evidence can bring in bucks.

He also claims that college professors are blocking him because it would make their book obsolete. The problem is that academic historians rarely write about the details of the Lincoln assassination

Of course he contradicts himself by claiming that two other authors have ripped off his work to publish Lincoln assassination books.

I have not read Thomas's book and I offer no judgement on it, but the video makes wild and unsupported claims. I also raise a simple question:
Did Booth shoot Lincoln?
If so, Booth and his accomplices were all know activists in the pro-Confederate underground. That does not prove they had orders from Jeff Davis to murder Lincoln, but it makes it unlikely that they were working in league with the Radical Republicans.
 
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He relies heavily on the 1977 FBI report on Booth's "diary." and a confession of Azerdot that was discovered the same year. As I read his second book, I would stop and question the logic on a number of things, but Azerdodt named names and the FBI proved that the diary was edited, cut up and recopied. That's a lot of smoke for there to be no fire.
Like I said, I would like to read other people's analysis of the FBI summary.
 
Thanks for your response.
What makes the suggestion that a conspiracy attempted to get Meade to "throw" the Battle of Gettysburg even more ludicrous is that not so long ago a member insisted that Lee himself was part of a successful conspiracy to "throw" the Battle of Gettysburg and the entire rebel effort!
Not saying Meade was inclined too throw the fight. Apparently he turned the offer down.
Every army record says the entire army was for Meade to take army command, or they never heard of him. Hancock thought it was going to be him. Army rumor in his corps said he drove the Second line dogs when he didn't.
Meade is born in Spain it will prohibit him from being a presidential contender. Just buy choice the fight may be thrown.


And I still think mary tod Kennedy did it.
 
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