Comments on: Dr. Samuel A. Mudd http://www.historynet.com/dr-samuel-a-mudd.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:31:52 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: cliff meneken http://www.historynet.com/dr-samuel-a-mudd.htm/comment-page-1#comment-82026 cliff meneken Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:14:07 +0000 #comment-82026 Unfortunately, based, no doubt, on John Ford's treatment of Mudd in his 1936 film, The Prisoner of Shark Island, the modern view of Mudd's complicity in the Lincoln assassination has been blurred considerably. In tfiis work, written for the screen by Nunally Johnson, a Georgian, Mudd is seen as simply a doctor who helps strangers who come to his door late at night. Not only did he not know Booth, acording to the film,he did not recognize him when he came to his house then. The film further resurrects all sorts of racist themes, like the carpetbagger myth, the good slave owner (Mudd!), the hapless slaves, Northern brutality (a Northern soldier breaking the doll of Mudd's daughter in front f the girl (!), etc. None of the facts of Mudd's complicity, or the trial transcript with incriminating evidence are presented. In fact, Ford intentionally misrepresents history by suggesting that there was no evidence whatsoever of Mudd's guilt when the reverse is true. He bases the movie entirely on the self serving fabrication of Mudd's daughter, who penned a tribute to her father. Unfortunately, based, no doubt, on John Ford’s treatment of Mudd in his 1936 film, The Prisoner of Shark Island, the modern view of Mudd’s complicity in the Lincoln assassination has been blurred considerably. In tfiis work, written for the screen by Nunally Johnson, a Georgian, Mudd is seen as simply a doctor who helps strangers who come to his door late at night. Not only did he not know Booth, acording to the film,he did not recognize him when he came to his house then. The film further resurrects all sorts of racist themes, like the carpetbagger myth, the good slave owner (Mudd!), the hapless slaves, Northern brutality (a Northern soldier breaking the doll of Mudd’s daughter in front f the girl (!), etc. None of the facts of Mudd’s complicity, or the trial transcript with incriminating evidence are presented. In fact, Ford intentionally misrepresents history by suggesting that there was no evidence whatsoever of Mudd’s guilt when the reverse is true. He bases the movie entirely on the self serving fabrication of Mudd’s daughter, who penned a tribute to her father.

]]> By: A. MacLean http://www.historynet.com/dr-samuel-a-mudd.htm/comment-page-1#comment-71529 A. MacLean Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:47:23 +0000 #comment-71529 Barbara, It was Laura Keene, playing in the 1000th performance of Our American Cousin. Regards, Archie Barbara,

It was Laura Keene, playing in the 1000th performance of Our American Cousin.

Regards,
Archie

]]> By: Barbara Renfrow http://www.historynet.com/dr-samuel-a-mudd.htm/comment-page-1#comment-44115 Barbara Renfrow Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:11:32 +0000 #comment-44115 I am trying to rember to famous actor ....female.....that was performing at Ford Theatre the night Booth assisinated President Lincoln. Does anyone know? Thank you, I am trying to rember to famous actor ….female…..that was performing at Ford Theatre the night Booth assisinated President Lincoln. Does anyone know? Thank you,

]]> By: katie kennedy http://www.historynet.com/dr-samuel-a-mudd.htm/comment-page-1#comment-28302 katie kennedy Sun, 18 Jan 2009 03:21:57 +0000 #comment-28302 Mudd was guity then and he is guity now,his name is mudd for a reason. Mudd was guity then and he is guity now,his name is mudd for a reason.

]]> By: Randy http://www.historynet.com/dr-samuel-a-mudd.htm/comment-page-1#comment-196 Randy Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:35:59 +0000 #comment-196 I met Mudd's grandson, 20 years or so ago. He invited me to his house in Saginaw, Mi. He had me convinced. But after more reading and research, I have probably come to the conclusion that Mudd did know Booth. He did realize soon on that it was Booth whose leg he was fixing. And I think that he probably told Mudd that he had just shot Lincoln. I'm still not convinced that he had anything to do with the assassination or kidnappng beyond that. Getting life in prison (although pardoned by Johnson) seemed a bit harsh. I think 10 years would have covered it. I met Mudd’s grandson, 20 years or so ago. He invited me to his house in Saginaw, Mi. He had me convinced. But after more reading and research, I have probably come to the conclusion that Mudd did know Booth. He did realize soon on that it was Booth whose leg he was fixing. And I think that he probably told Mudd that he had just shot Lincoln. I’m still not convinced that he had anything to do with the assassination or kidnappng beyond that. Getting life in prison (although pardoned by Johnson) seemed a bit harsh. I think 10 years would have covered it.

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