What’s Juicy?
The story outlined in the beginning of the video is the version that is taught in most History books. Booth did time the gunshot with the “funny” line in play to reduce disruption in the theater. Sockdologizing is a mix up of the word doxologizing.
Booth shouted “Sic semper tyrannis” which is Latin, not Greek. It means “thus always to tyrants.” I’m not sure if anyone knew what he was talking about.
Lincoln did institute the first income tax in the US and he did die on April 15th. I made up the part about his death being commemorated by making it Income Tax Day. It is a much better story than what really happened. The saying about death and taxes was attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Who knows if that’s true.
Finis Bates is Kathy Bates’s grandfather. It is a strange and beautiful connection. The rest of the narrative comes directly from his book. It is archived here and is an interesting read.
The cabin in Glen Rose is west of the square and is restored. I am not sure if you can go inside or if there is anything in there. It was closed up when I went by. The store on the south side of Granbury’s town square with the St. Helen’s sign is assumed to be his old saloon. The opera house is next door.
This story fascinated me for several years. There is something inside us that wants to believe in conspiracy theories. The mundane is dead and boring and needs to be juiced up a bit. Or in this case, have some brandy rubbed on it. That may be what has kept this one alive for so long.