POD's regarding Lincoln's assassination

[kodak]

John Wilkes Booth and his plot(s) against Lincoln leave a lot of PODs that don't seem to get much attention. Some examples :

Booth previously plotted to kidnap the president on his way to a play- more than once, IIRC- , but the Lincolns cancelled and foiled the plans.

The entire plan to kill Lincoln was concocted in one day- Booth had wanted to kill him but wasn't sure how or when. He happened to arrive at Ford's theater around the same time as the mail on April 14. Being a regular actor there, he took it and read Lincoln's letter saying he would be watching a play that night. Had Booth stayed home that day, he might have instead bided his time and plotted to kill Lincoln at a later convenient date.

Booth was using a single-shot pistol that could have misfired. He also had a knife, but could have easily been overpowered by the Rathbones and Lincolns.

Seward and Johnson were almost killed the same night, but one assassin failed to kill anybody and the other opted to get drunk.

All of these could potentially have huge impacts.

 

[Emperor Norton I]

What about having it all be the same, except Henry Rathbone takes a fatal bullet/stabbing for Lincoln, who survives because of that? Rathbone went insane and murdered his wife anyway. We wouldn't lose much.

 

[Indicus]

What about having it all be the same, except Henry Rathbone takes a fatal bullet/stabbing for Lincoln, who survives because of that? Rathbone went insane and murdered his wife anyway. We wouldn't lose much.

Yeah, I read somewhere he goes all The Shining on his wife.

Maybe we can have Rathbone take the bullet non-fatally.

 

[frustrated progressive]

Yeah, I read somewhere he goes all The Shining on his wife.

Maybe we can have Rathbone take the bullet non-fatally.

Cracked,maybe? They literally said that.

 

[Corjomc]

I thought it would be great if just as Booth gets behind Lincoln the president either sees him in a reflection or out of the corner of his eye. (Maybe Asa Trenchard was having an off night and was less humorous thus less distracting on stage)

Lincoln then swiftly turns around and grabs booth by the hand.

"Hey Everybody" he says happily "Look its John Wilkes Booth!"

Lincoln then tells Booth that he's his favorite actor and this must be the luckiest day of his whole life. he then asks for an autograph and has Matthew Brady take their picture together.

They go back to the Whitehouse and Lincoln, Booth, the would-be assassin and Rathbone, the one day murderer, all get totally plastered.

Lincoln survives, Rathbone never goes around the bend, and Booth wakes up with a hangover, and news of his engagement to Lucy Lambert Hale made public and their nuptials to take place at the White House.

(Booth in his stupor having told Abe all about his secret engagement)

 

[Corjomc]

On a more serious note, what if Booth and Company were able to kidnap Lincoln? The plan was to take him to Richmond.

If they succeed early enough does this throw the 1864 election to the peace democrats?

What if they kidnap him but can't escape with him and it turns into a hostage stand off? Does Booth end up killing Lincoln if he thinks there is no way out or does Booth and his conspirators negotiate their release?

If Booth and his group are able to negotiate sparing Lincoln for their release to the CSA what is the Confederate reaction to them? WOuld the CSA even accept them?

 

[kodak]

On a more serious note, what if Booth and Company were able to kidnap Lincoln? The plan was to take him to Richmond.

If they succeed early enough does this throw the 1864 election to the peace democrats?

What if they kidnap him but can't escape with him and it turns into a hostage stand off? Does Booth end up killing Lincoln if he thinks there is no way out or does Booth and his conspirators negotiate their release?

If Booth and his group are able to negotiate sparing Lincoln for their release to the CSA what is the Confederate reaction to them? WOuld the CSA even accept them?

The movies and novels about Lincoln's kidnapping would be glorious.

 

[Alanith]

Snip

I seem to recall that Lincoln had two bodyguards that were supposed to be with him at Fords Theater. However if I remember the story right, one came down with something that night and was unable to perform his duties, and Lincoln told the other one to take the night off as a result. Have them both guarding the door and notice a famous actor acting dodgy nearby.