WikiPedia Blunder

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handcuffs

For some reason the detail page does not open up in the forum.
Here is the handcuff link

m

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

I found another error.
They claim that the Royal Mounted Canadian Police used Mitten Handcuffs. I assume they are talking about McKenzie Mitts.
Before I contact anyone, do we have any understanding that a pair was actually used by that agency?
I recall hearing that, but it might have been from the original Wikipedia entry in the first place.
I don't see this as a valid requisition from the agency as they would have had hundreds of these mitts in use and we all know that their production was much lower than this.


mark
O--O

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Mark, we have all seen the photos of what the prisoners were wearing while being kept on the ship but what were they wearing at the trial?. I have not seen any cuffs like that before. The shape suggests that some room was left to attach a chain link. Very interesting and worth delving into a little deeper.
Thanks
Paul

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

PS
We also know that at least one was wearing a ball and chain on ship. How was the ball attached? Food for thought.

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

The only reference I ever found to how the eight defendants were confined in the courtroom (as opposed to jail) while on trial is in Mask For Treason: The Lincoln Murder Trial, by Vaughn Shelton (1965). All eight were tried simultaneously in a hearing room constructed for the event in order to accommodate the unusually large number of guards, defendants, legal counsel, and prosecutors.

The defendants were all kept seated in a row and were shackled to a chain that in turn was secured to a large, cast iron pyramid weighing several hundred pounds. Mr. Vaughn makes no mention of the prisoners also being in handcuffs during the actual trial proceedings. Unfortunately, Mr. Vaughn gives no source note regarding this iron pyramid, chain and shackles. Since the individuals had to be transported daily to and from the courtroom, this peculiar shackling arrangement obviously must have included some type of removable fastening device, perhaps padlocks or maybe even simple nuts and bolts.

As for the WikiPedia photo, while I don't think those things are handcuffs, they do appear to be some type of leg shackle.

Who knows?

Franklin

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

what type of ball and chain were the conspirators made to wear, anyone have that information, we all know Lily cuffs but what type of ball and chain?

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Tom:

As for the ball and chain, the best hint I ever found was this contemporary woodcut depicting Samuel Arnold:



Being a woodcut, its accuracy is open to debate.

Based upon this sketch of Arnold made during the trial proceedings, the defendants were also confined in Lilly irons.



Franklin

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

These photos have appeared here before. 2 of Payne showing a Ball behind his right foot. One with hand irons, one without.
But also notice the difference in the clothes and the brand new boots. Obviously some effort was made to dress him up for the photo shoot but why the casual pose without the cuffs and better coat?

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Here are a few more pics including the cuffs in question. The cuff on the left still has both rivets intact.


And some illustrations of just hours prior to execution with chain handcuffs on.



Also some close ups of Paynes feet with twisted chains showing and what looks like a metal stand and pole rising up behind him.
I have heard of similar braces used to hold people still during long exposure photography.

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Paul:

Not really handcuff related, but you asked why the odd clothing.

Lewis Powell a/k/a Lewis Paine a/k/a Lewis Payne a/k/a Lewis Wood a/k/a Lewis Hall was what you could call the "mystery man" amongst the Lincoln conspirators. His birth name was Powell. As a Confederate soldier, he was wounded in the hand at Gettysburg and taken prisoner. He escaped and rejoined another Confederate unit, but later deserted and took the Oath of Allegiance, using the name Paine. After he connected with John Wilkes Booth to participate in a conspiracy to kidnap, and later assassinate, President Lincoln, he used the names Wood (claiming to be a minister) and Hall at various times.

Powell was a little nutty. He showed up at the Surratt boardinghouse just as Union soldiers arrived to arrest Mrs. Surratt, just before sunrise a few days after the assassination. He was carrying a pickaxe and wearing his drawers on his head in lieu of a hat, claiming he was there to dig a gutter. He was arrested on general suspicion, giving his name as Payne (he had been introduced to Mrs. Surratt as Rev. Wood).

After being confined on board an ironclad, he drew further attention to himself by banging his head against the iron wall of his cell, causing Secretary of War Stanton to order that all the prisoners thereafter be kept in padded hoods to prevent similar apparent suicide attempts.

When Alexander Gardner arrived at the ironclads to take photographs of the prisoners there confined (Mrs. Surratt and Dr. Mudd were in a regular land jail), Powell alone was taken up on deck for an additional photo shoot in various poses and garb so that the photos could be circulated in an attempt to try to figure out just who he was and where he came from.

Here's another one:



The canvas background is not a tent (as sometimes described) but wind sails used on moored ironclads to provide ventilation below deck. At the bottom left, you can see the base of the gun turret, also visible in your postings, along with a vent in the ironclad's deck.

Franklin

Franklin

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

I did some digging around trying to find some background information on that picture of those pear-shaped irons. I am now wonderfully confused.

In the source notes for the picture, WikiPedia notes it came from Picture History LLC, an outfit in Pleasantville, New York http://www.picturehistory.com). They have a rather large collection of pictures relating to Lincoln with an entire section devoted to the assassination, including the subject picture, which they state are "handcuffs":
http://www.picturehistory.com/product/id/2516

They also have a picture of three Lilly handcuffs used on the conspirators at trial, which they refer to as "wrist irons":
http://www.picturehistory.com/product/id/2515

They also have a picture of two Lilly leg irons and a darby style leg iron (Providence?) stating that the seven male prisoners where hobbled using these while confined, and that each was connected to a seventy-five pound ball:
http://www.picturehistory.com/product/id/2510

They have no picture of any ball and chain.

They do not state any source for any of these pictures. I suspect they came from the Smithsonian (three handcuffs, three wrist irons, three shackles as well as a picture of three jail cell keys). Museum curators are perfectly happy with representative samples rather than complete sets.

We know without any doubt that Lilly hand irons were used. It makes logical sense that any leg iron would also be a Lilly, whether as a set of leg shackles or as part of a ball and chain; after all, the eight conspirators were government prisoners and Sgt. Lilly was a United States Marine. If they were running a little shy on Lilly leg irons, then use of a Providence product is understandable.

But using a hand-forged, pear-shaped thing without any incorporated locking device doesn't make sense to me.

Oh, well. Probably just another instance where we'll never know for sure.

Franklin

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

There is a new book in the works as yet to be published entitled, "Inside the Walls" which deals with the Lincoln conspirators while incarcerated but prior to their execution. Hopefully this book will shed some light on the various irons used on them and what became of them.

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Thanks Spencer.
Sounds like you know a lot more than you are willing to let on. I hope you will keep us informed about the book and its impending publication.
Paul

Thanks Franklin. Welcome back.

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

The title of the pending book is, "Inside the Walls: the Final Days of the Lincoln Conspirators" co-authored by Barry Cauchon and John Elliott. Sounds fascinating to me. That's all I know at this point but I'd keep checking Amazon as well as the various Lincoln Assassination web sites for an update.

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Spencer:
Thanks for the heads up on the new book. I look forward to its publication.

Paul:
Your closeups of Powell's feet intrigued me. After going back and rereading trial transcripts and other items, I'm of the opinion what we see in the photos is not a ball and chain. Yes, keeping those guys in balls and chains sounds really wicked and romantic, but as much as we may want it to be true, that in itself doesn't make it so, particularly when they were confined on an ironclad.

Work with me here.

1. Powell is wearing shoes, not boots.

This is what got me to thinking. If those are boots, then how could you securely fasten the shackle of a ball and chain in place? If you fasten it around the ankle of a boot, then you could slip it off with the boot. If you fasten it to the actual ankle, then you can't put a boot on.

When Powell was arrested, he was described as wearing very heavy, muddy boots. His captors noticed that on the inside of one of them, it appeared that a name was written that had been inked over. It was given to a Treasury official familiar with printing and ink, who used acid to remove the top layer of ink to reveal what seemed to be the name: J W Booth. That boot was introduced as evidence during the trial, as was the boot Dr. Mudd cut off of John Wilkes Booth's broken leg that had his initials written inside.

I think what Powell is wearing is a brand new pair of military issue shoes, provided by his military captors, since his own footwear had been taken away from him. On standard issue Civil War shoes, the laces started at the ankle level with a top lower than modern Army boots. Powell's baggy pants are covering the laces. A leg shackle is in place above the shoe top on his right leg, but also covered by his trousers.

2. The thing in the background is a 32 pound cannonball and nothing more.

Six of the male prisoners were confined on board the ironclads Montauk and Saugus. Couldn't find much on the Saugus, but did find that the Montauk was outfitted with two Dahlgren guns that fired 32 pound solid shot. A 32 pound solid shot cannonball is 6.1 inches in diameter. Powell was just over 6 feet, one inch tall, so his shoe size was around a 10 or 11, which means the overall length of his shoes would be 12 to 13 inches.

In your first closeup, the diameter of the ball seems to be about half the length of Powell's shoe; right around 6.1 inches, a 32 pound cannonball.

So why is it there?

The ball is resting on top of the edge of the corner of the canvas wind sail in place at the groove between the ironclad's gun turret and the deck. My guess is that the sailors on board, being practical sorts, tossed a cannonball (which they had plenty of) down there to keep the wind sail from flapping around in the breeze, just as you or I would do with a rock to keep our tent flap from blowing around when camping. The turret groove keeps the cannonball from rolling away.

3. Powell is wearing a set of leg irons (maybe Providence) that have been removed from his left ankle but still attached to his right ankle.

Powell was kept below deck. To get topside for these photos to be taken, he had to climb a ladder. As soon as the photos were taken, back down he goes.

How are you going to climb a ladder, lugging a ball and chain along with you? How do you accomplish this wearing leg shackles? You can't, unless you want to risk breaking your neck.

From that Photo History bunch, they have that one photo of two Lilly leg irons and what seems to be a Providence leg iron. That photo is what really got me to thinking about all this ball and chain stuff. From what is visible of the chain links in your two closeups, the chain is of the same type as used on Providence leg irons and not the flat, oval links used on a Lilly leg iron.

The whole thing of a ball and chain being used on board an ironclad always bugged me. Why not just use a set of leg irons? After all, that is the traditional navy way of slapping a prisoner in irons and stowing them away below deck.

I suspect what happened was this. Alexander Gardner shows up to take pictures. All six of the prisoners are in Lilly handcuffs and leg shackles below decks. Five of the prisoners get their photos made, but only from the waist up. Powell is the only one who gets more photos taken for the reasons stated in the previous post. They remove the leg shackle from one leg so he can climb the ladder safely, as well as remove the Lilly handcuffs. They also loan him a new pair of Army shoes, as well as a hat and coat and vest. Pictures are taken. Back down he goes. Handcuffs and fetters back in place.

Why not fully remove the leg shackles from both legs? Simple. Guards are lazy. I recognize that is not a very complimentary thing to say. So, try this: the guards are soldiers. Soldiers are lazy. Rule #1 of soldiering: never do anything more than the absolute bare minimum.

All in all, I happily recognize that having a big round ball in the background of a prisoner photo is suggestive of a ball and chain. Why else would it be there? It's not something you ordinarily see, unless you are on board a Civil War ironclad that only had two guns that fired nothing but those things.

So, could that thing pictured be a ball and chain? Sure. And the foregoing does not disprove that it is. But upon due reflection, as much as I would like it to be, I must sadly admit to myself that I don't think it is.

Franklin

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

HI Mark,
I'm not convinced the RCMP bit with the mitts is an error. But I think I know where Wiki got the information; Numerous articles from newspapers at that time listed the inventor as a former RCMP member. I found no evidence they used them, and no connection to the RCMP other than the news articles. A. L. Elliot, A. G. Jacobs, and Jacob O. McKenzie--the RCMP has no listing of any of the three men claiming to have invented the mitts as members of the RCMP. The mitts were marketed and sold at inventor's fairs around the US from 1933-1936, mostly in 1934 & 1935. So they may well have never been used by the RCMP but at least a dozen articles Joshua and I uncovered do mention the RCMP. Perhaps that is where they got their information?
John

As for Lincoln conspirator photo: I vote ball and chain.

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

I know of one guy here in Canada who has a pair of Mitts that came from his grandfather who was a guard at the Kingston Pennitentary.

He said his grandfather told him that at one time the guards used them on prisoner escorts.

S.S.

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Hey Franklin,

One thing that I'm unable to make out for sure either way is in the SECOND closeup photo (of the feet above);

Between (and behind) his feet, the image is kind of faint but looks like either the locktube of a darby with protruding endcap, or the "base" of the "propping-up stand" as described earlier (which would form the locktube) & a lighter spot of his trousers (which would form the "endcap")


Can anyone else see what I'm imagining???
Perhaps we'll never know for sure...


Conspiracy theoristically yours,
--Vince

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Hi Vince:

I love those closeups Paul provided. There is a lot in them.

Of course, if you look at them long enough, and speculate enough, and obsess enough, you can probably find Badge Man lurking around somewhere in those baggy britches.

Upon reflection, looking at the photos again, and looking only at Mr. Powell's ankles, there very well may be a leg shackle on his left leg as well. I really can't tell. And if there is one there, I can't tell if there is a chain connected to it. I do think I detect a hunk of chain going up (coming down?) his right leg.

Just as there is a cannonball in the background, but you can't see if there is a chain attached to it.

Forgive me, but I just can't see the efficacy of using a ball and chain on a naval vessel when a regular set of leg irons would work just as well, if not better, and would have been more readily available under the circumstances.

In any event, I trust I have not offended anyone with my speculations. I've had a very enjoyable time using this as an excuse to review old writings I have, and to explore others thanks to the wonders of the Internet. I have been very pleased to see new research out there regarding this entire period of history, and have learned some new things uncovered by others.

Thanks to all. Especially Barry Cauchon and his Lincoln website.

Franklin

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Franklin,
I guess I see what I want to see and we will never know the truth for sure but I cannot fault your logic. Payne is wearing the ankle high military boots as shown in the Illustration of him in the cell.
I have now learned from you about his muddy boots being taken as evidence and his different sets of clothes. The illustration shows him back in his original clothes as photographed in front of the iron cladding.

You could then wonder about the scale of the chains in that illustration and whether the links are made of the same material as the cuffs??

It may be unraveled rope to the right of his right foot but it sure looks like chain between his feet of a similar width to the "rope" but they would be big links. If it is chain to the right, it is more chain than you'd expect on a Lily or a Providence that runs from leg to leg but could be as you've described as being removed from one leg. There may also be two ball and chain as shown in the fist illustration. (My Lily leg iron has the twisted links like Providence leg irons.}

You would have to believe he is wearing something on his ankle to stop their prisoner jumping overboard to his watery grave.

Thanks
Paul

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Paul:

I'm still having fun with this. In all the years I've spent messing around with Lincoln stuff, this is one aspect I never really delved into.

Did some more digging around about ALL the photos taken of the Lincoln conspirators. I had always assumed that the Powell-Not-Standing photos we see of Powell and the others were taken below decks of the ironclads. I then realized the obvious. There probably wasn't enough light below decks for the photos to be taken given the state of photography at the time.

According to research done by Messrs. Cauchon and Elliott, they think, but cannot conclusively prove, that the standing photos taken of Powell were taken on April 18, 1865, the day following his arrest. It also seems they were taken on deck of the Montauk.

O'Laughlin turned himself in on the 17th. Spangler and Arnold were arrested on the 18th and Atzerodt on the 20th.

It seems the waist up photos of Powell, Spangler, Atzerodt, O'Laughlin and Arnold were taken on board the Saugus on April 27, 1865. On that day, the day following the capture of Herold and Booth's death, an autopsy of Booth was conducted on the deck of the Montauk. Alexander Gardner and his assistant, Timothy H. O'Sullivan, were present to take photographs. The Booth photos (glass plates) were given to Secretary of War Stanton, who presumably destroyed them so that they would not become sort of icon of Booth for Confederate sympathizers. So, it seems that while the photographers were there for the Booth autopsy photos on the Montauk, the waist up photos were made on board the Saugus. Judging from the rivet pattern of the iron wall in the background, that may be the gun turret you see.

On April 29, 1865, the prisoners were transferred from the ironclads to the Old Arsenal Penitentiary for confinement and later trial; Surratt and Mudd were similarly transferred there from the Old Capitol Prison.

It therefore seems that whatever in the world that leg shackle is that Powell is wearing, it had to be something they had readily available, which points a finger at standard leg irons (either Lilly or Providence) and not some specially constructed item. If the April 18th photo date is correct, there doesn't seem to be enough time for anything else to have been used.

Franklin

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Well, still looking for information regarding restraints on the ironclads, but found this regarding restraints during confinement and trial in the Old Arsenal.

It is from Ben "Perley" Poore's introduction to his verbatim transcripts of the Lincoln Conspirator's Trial, Volume I, page 12 (1865). Mr. Poore was the Washington Correspondent for the Boston Globe.

The prisoner's "dock" was a platform raised about one foot from the floor, and about four feet broad, with a strong railing in front of it. Along this "dock" sat the prisoners. Mrs. Surratt had the left-hand corner to herself; a passage-way to the door leading to the cells intervening between her and the seven male prisoners, who sat sandwiched with six soldiers who wore the light-blue uniform of the Veteran Reserve Corps. Dr. Mudd wore handcuffs connected with chains; but the "bracelets" of the other male prisoners were joined by wide bars of iron ten inches long, which kept their hands apart. All of the prisoners, including Mrs. Surratt, wore anklets connected by short chains, which hamper their walk; and heavy iron balls were also attached by chains to the limbs of Payne and Atzerodt, attendants carrying them as they go to and from their cells. As the prisoners entered and left the room, their fetters clanking at every step, they formed an impressive procession.

Considering that this is a narrative of an eyewitness, who was there for the express purpose of recording and reporting all aspects of the trial, I consider it reliable.

Franklin

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Okay, so the reliable source confirms, Lilly Irons and possibly Lilly short chained leg irons as well as handcuffs connected by chains (which may be those shown in the illustrations) as well as ball and chain with chains long enough to be carried by an attendant. I can believe all of that. Also the illustrations seem to be fairly accurate and may be copied directly from photos. There is an illustration of the hanging which is a very close match to the photos.

I have not read any of the works you have read Franklin, but I am very interested to clarify exactly when was used where and when.
Paul

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Hi Paul:

Again, I want to thank you for posting those closeup photos of Powell's feet. Was that something you did?

Being mostly retired these days, I get to indulge my passion of historical research on obscure things from the past that most people undoubtedly find boring as hell but that I find curious. To me, the joy of research is in the hunt, even though I may never bag what I originally was after. But, in all the wandering around, you find all sorts of other nifty things.

Thanks for inspiring to go hunting again in the Lincoln field.

Whilst at the library yesterday, I placed a request for an inter-library loan for some books and microfilm stuff not available on the internet. Also, in hawking around for more information on the previously mentioned book, A Peek Inside the Walls, I discovered that while that book has not yet been released, two supplements to it have. Weird, but true. One of them is entitled: A Peek Inside the Walls: The Final Days of the Lincoln Conspirators - 13 Days Aboard the Monitors. I've ordered it (and some other stuff) from the Surratt Museum (www.surratt.org). They don't do online sales, only phone orders.

When goofing around the Surratt Museum website, I was bowled over by the fact they had an online copy of the Poore transcript of the Lincoln Conspirators trial. That thing is impossible to find. All the other "trial transcripts" are merely narrative summaries of witness testimony. The Poore thing is the "real deal", although the end of it was never finished.
http://www.surratt.org/documents/Ben_Perley_Poore.html

What truly surprised me in Mr. Poore's account was that Mrs. Surratt was in leg irons, but not handcuffs. Given my understanding of mid 19th century sensibilities, that was rather shocking. But so was hanging her.

Now, for the not-so-good news regarding post-ironclad restraints at the Old Arsenal.

Being all smug that I had solved, to a degree, a portion of the mystery, I bounded away to read some more regarding other nuances about the conspirators that had piqued by interest. And I found this:
http://www.iment.com/maida/familytree/b ... m#sentence
Scroll down a little ways and you'll find statements from two other eyewitnesses to the trial, one of the trial judges and Mrs. Surratt's defense counsel who both state that she was never in manacles nor fetters.

So much for eyewitness testimony.

As for Poore's transcript, I doubt there will be much there. In doing a quick browse through it for Powell/Payne material, the only restraint thing I see is:
After being arrested on general suspicion at Mrs. Surratt's just before midnight on April 17, he was taken before the Provost Martial. Around 3:00 in the morning, they brought down Secretary of State William Seward's house servant, who identified him as the man who had stabbed Seward and four others in the household. He was then placed "in irons" (whatever that means) and around 4:00 a.m. taken away for confinement at a secret location.

Anyway, when the research material arrives, I'll let you know if there is anything there.

Franklin

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Paul:

It is a ball and chain depicted in your close-up photographs.

And I readily admit my conjectures were wrong.

For anyone interested in pursuing this further:

Lincoln's Assassins: A Complete Account of Their Capture, Trial and Confinement
Roy Z. Chandler, Jr.
McFarland & Company, Inc. (1990)
ISBN 0-89950-420-5

The Lincoln Assassination Conspirators: Their Confinement and Execution, as Recorded in the Letterbook Of John Frederick Hartranft
Edited by Edward Steers, Jr. and Harold Holzer
Louisiana State University Press (2009)
ISBN 978-0-8071-3396-5

Alias "Paine": Lewis Thornton Powell, The Mystery Man of the Lincoln Conspiracy
Betty J. Ownsbey
McFarland & Company, Inc. (1993)
ISBN 0-7864-2555-5

A Peek Inside The Walls; The Final Days of the Lincoln Conspirators; 13 Days Aboard the Monitors; The Early Incarceration of the Conspirators, the Mug Shot Photo Sessions and the Truth About the Hoods
Barry M Couchon and John T. Ellliot
Prepared for the Surratt Society & Surratt House Museum 2012 Conference
Law & Order, L.A. [Lincoln Assassination]
March 16-18, 2012


All of the foregoing are available from the Surratt Museum bookstore.

For what it is worth, I want to extend my honest congratulations to all of the authors of the foregoing works. They spent untold hours delving through mountains of materials in the National Archives, uncovering things "always in plain sight" yet never before acknowledged.

On April 14, 1865, an awful thing happened. On July 7, 1865, it was concluded.

As these historians prove, by their honest and sincere efforts, there is still much to learn from the past.

But, that goes far beyond this forum.

Franklin

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

This is wonderful.

I had earlier stated Mask For Treason as an authoritative source.

Well, and this is funny, in a brief interchange with folks I find quite responsible, it seems that the author of my supposed authoritative source gained his wondrous insights from revelations from his wife's revelations from a ghost.

Researching is so much fun.

Franklin

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/350580499270 ... 1423.l2649

This interesting photo is for sale on eBay showing the single leg cuffs previously shown, along with a Lily leg iron and a British Darby style leg iron. First time I have seen them photographed together.
Origin unknown, but is probably from the museum housing the Lincoln relics.

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Hi u'll i tracked down the possible source of the photo Paul is talking about, i think,haven't gone thru them as of yet,but can see that this might be a nice site for any research projects.

really nice is he has them in alphabetized
75 pages here is the link:

http://www.jp-themint.com/Vintage%20Pho ... 20Military


THE ABOVE IS NOT THE HOME PAGE


LK D~D

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

CORRECTION NOT IN ALPHABETIZED ORDER,USES ADM./ ECT. MY BAD

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

CORRECTION NOT IN ALPHABETIZED ORDER,USES ADM./ ECT. MY BAD

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

I know who the seller is but not the source of the photo he is selling, which must be The Smithsonian.

The other thing to note, which we assumed earlier, is that the pear shaped cuff seems way to big to be a handcuff and is the wrong shape, and must surely be a single leg cuff. Maybe it was slipped through a link in a chain which was then attached to a ball??

Paul

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

Wikipedia is not the absolute truth in anything, it is just a quick resource and written by people who want to have something in their name. The teardrop shaped thing is just that, a thing. I have never seen anything like it before and don't trust that it is a real shackle nor have been used by any enforcement department.
When I first saw this thread and saw the picture, I thought it was this shackle that was going to be the subject of the blunder.
It's a shame how wikipedia is changing some facts and history and no-one really cares.
Ian

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

FROM FRANKLIN's 1st post:

The only reference I ever found to how the eight defendants were confined in the courtroom (as opposed to jail) while on trial is in Mask For Treason: The Lincoln Murder Trial, by Vaughn Shelton (1965). All eight were tried simultaneously in a hearing room constructed for the event in order to accommodate the unusually large number of guards, defendants, legal counsel, and prosecutors.

The defendants were all kept seated in a row and were shackled to a chain that in turn was secured to a large, cast iron pyramid weighing several hundred pounds

COULDN'T they be part of the connecting way to the pyramid???

LK D~D

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

I don't think anyone actually believes Wikipedia. I'd rather question the Smithsonian who should have some sort of provenance for the items they display. Wishful thinking?? Until there is some proof of these pear shaped shackles it is all conjecture either way.
Paul

I was informed today that I was just included in the list of experts who appeared on 2 or more episodes of Pawn Stars on WikiPedia. While reviewing things for accuracy, I came upon the link for "handcuffs" and found an odd error.
They show some rare (Australian?) restraints and indicate that they are the Lincoln/Booth Conspirator cuffs.
As we all know, the Lily Irons were used and we have pictures of the conspirators wearing the irons.
I am trying to get this corrected as the page is semi-locked and need to find an editor who is willing to do this correction.



The above is the info page which pops up when you click on the picture.
I will keep you posted if and when this concludes.

mark
O--O

Click to expand...

I cant speak to the lincoln conspirators, but I can somewhat to RCMP use of mitts.

My grandfather was an early RCMP officer in Saskatoon saskatchewan. During the time of his service I can attest that he used at least 3 different types of handcuffs. Bean's, Early peerless ( both of which I have the keys for), and yes Mitts were mentioned. I dont think the RCMP had any kind of "standard issue" back then and used what they could get their hands on.The Mitts were used for transport.

Steve is likely bang on about the mitts out of KP, they had 8 pair. They were disposed of along with several other items from the armory that were of no further use in the early 80's. Items that were potentially weapons were destroyed with a bandsaw and then burned in the Scott Paper factory . For example there were some S&W .22 cal revolvers that when full were weighted exactly like a full .38 but I have no idea why . I know that 4 were made in total by S&W and they were nickel finish, and all were destroyed in the Scott factory I remember thinking it was a shame as i had shot one of them several times ( my stepfather's issue at one point) . Other things like restraints were ordered disposed of by the guards, some made their way into dumpsters and others ( like Mitts and other restraints) found their way into several of the guards private collections and treasures from service.I've some S&W 94's first version from that same lot as well.

One of the more interesting stories I know of were from early world war II. The japanese had taken to flying baloons over and dropping bombs from them. One of them crashed and was captured on the saskatoon plains and Grandpa was called to respond. He had picture of Grandpa holding one of the bombs roughly a foot to a foot and a half in length ( surprisingly small) in front of the wreck.I unfortunately dont know what happened to the pictures, My mom had them at one point but she died a couple years ago and my siblings went through he house and disposed of quite a bit. At one point I think they were offered to the war museum but that was before the new one, and they had no room to store artifacts back then.