On September 12th, 2012, I put up a quick little post highlighting the 10,000th “hit” to this site. As a blog devoted to a fairly small niche of American History, I was very happy that so many people were visiting and finding the site to be valuable. Now, a little over a year later, I’m ecstatic that BoothieBarn is over the 110,000 mark!
This means that over the last year this blog had over 100,000 clicks on it. The majority came from repeat visitors and followers who are so engaging with their comments. Thank you all for your continued support.
The creation of the BoothieBarn Picture Galleries during this last year also gave a boost to the number of visitors and clicks. As a visual learner myself, I’m striving to provide a beneficial archive of images relating to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Lastly, my foray into recording parts of the escape route has been very well received. As a recent transplant to Maryland, I’m happy to show the escape route locations that are now in my backyard.
While I rarely know what I’m going to blog about when I sit down to write, I thank you all for coming back day after day to check it out. At the very least, there are still many Picture Galleries to add and I’m actively developing a plan to recreate Booth and Herold’s time in the pine thicket during their escape. I’m really excited over the prospect of immersing myself into the history and sharing my experiences with you all.
Thank you so much for reading BoothieBarn and for keeping me motivated to write about a subject I find endlessly fascinating.
Sincerely,
Dave Taylor
P.S. Tomorrow (9/21) I will be going on one of the John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Tours run by the Surratt House Museum. While I won’t be “live blogging” it like last time, I’d be happy to take pictures of any requested site or artifact. Just let me know in the comment section.
Congratulations on your success. Here’s to many more postings and comments.
P.S. One of these days, I would like to see you narrating one of our Surratt Booth Tours. Just say when…
Somewhere in this thread I wrote that Dave Taylor would make a great BER tour guide, but he would have big shoes to fill, since John Howard is undeniably the best in many years (not since Kauffman has there been one so dynamic and entertaining.) The thought recently occ’d to me that by writing that Dave would have big shoes to fill, it made it sound like John would and could be replaced by Dave. I hope I didn’t give anyone that impression! John is simply the best!
CONGRATULATIONS, DAVE! The work that you are doing here could/should be a template for “how to study history online.” It’s inspirational, not only for its design and ease of use, but its pure purpose, impeccable intent and high standard of excellence. Thank you.
Erik, you are far too kind, sir. Coming from the man who created such a wonderful production with “Killing Lincoln”, I’m honored to have your support.
You might want to do me the favor of removing the knee-jerk possessive apostrophes from my last two “it’s.”
Congrats, Dave! Every person who’s “hit” your site has left with a better and more vivid understanding of the Lincoln assassination; you are doing good and important work.
Jim Garrett and I were discussing the pine thicket last weekend; your name may have come up in our conversation, as your blog had reawakened my long-time interest in it. As with the level of involvement of Mrs. Surratt, my views regarding the pine thicket are in the minority. I feel as though Thomas Jones, even at the late date he wrote of his experiences with Booth, was still guarding what happened; I believe some local persons provided shelter and food for Booth and Herold at least part of the time, and maybe even most of the time, they were supposed to be laying low in that thicket.
I look forward to seeing what you “recreate!”
Best regards–
–Jim
An interesting hypothesis, Jim. We do know of the cabin that was supposed to have cooked the food that was brought to the pair.
As one of the more undocumented parts of the escape route, I’m still trying to scrounge up resources and references. We’ll see what turns up!
Thanks for your kind words.
I concur with Laurie — Dave would certainly — one day — become a wonderful tour guide for the esc. rte. I have only been taken on the bus over the years by John Howard, James O. Hall, and I believe Joan Chaconas. (Mike Kauffman privately took me along the route once, too.) All were g-r-e-a-t, and left nothing to be desired. They were memorable. But there was something about John’s tour last March that made him captivating to me. He added dynamics and an intensity that set him apart from all the rest. Dave will surely have big shoes to fill!
Congratulations, Dave on reaching this great landmark!
P.S. When you go on the esc. rte. again, I would like to know how far (in inches) the outer door to the vestibule is from the door to the box that has the plexiglass behind the rocker. I know you can’t go into the box, but I wish I knew how many inches it is from Lincoln’s rocker to the sofa on which Major Rathbone sat.
All the bus tours I’ve been on have been with John Howard. I agree, Richard, that he does an exceptional job. He’s developed a talk that is not only educational but also extremely engaging. I’m looking forward to another romp with him today.
I have a tape measure with me to fulfill your request. I’ll post about it later.
Here are the pictures I took, Richard:
May I ask what you need this measurement for? I’m sure you’re aware that since the interior of the Ford’s Theatre was reconstructed, it’s highly improbable that this is the exact measurements of the original box.
Dave,
Again many thanks for your continued posts. I do not respond very often but I read everyone and look forward to the next .. I trust someday we will be able to visit. Plainfield missed you.
Thanks, Richard. I spent a good month at home in Illinois this summer, connecting with my roots. I’m so glad to have blog supporters like you.
You are doing a great job, Dave. Kudos.
Thank you, Roger. Your website and forum are the models I strive to replicate here.
Let me add my “like.” Dave investigates and reports on the nuts and bolts of each topic. When someone reads a story and then say’s “I want to know more,” that’s what Dave gives us.
Thanks, Rich. I’m looking forward to reading about all of the nuts and bolts you’ve been researching too.
Dave,
You are a true bright and shining star in the Lincoln Assassination research/history field. Your topics and posts here are thought provoking and innovative! Congratulations and keep up the good work – now get to work on that book!
Thank you, Betty! You are one of my biggest supporters and I’m so grateful to have your friendship.
Congrats, Dave! This blog has become a must-read for me and for countless others.
Thank you for reading, Sharon.
Great job!!
Keep up the good work!!
Thanks, Mr. Hess.
I look forward to this site. It gives me fodder for my tours.
Maybe that’s why you’re my favorite Mudd docent, Donna! 🙂
Also I might be contacting you in the future regarding a future project of mine that could involve the Mudd house.
Greetings, Dave-I’m a lurking reader who’s been visiting your blog (and the prominent message boards) since late last year-just wanted to take the occasion to say how fantastic these posts are-wonderfully well written, tremendously well-presented stuff! As a history buff stuck on the west coast I get to visit these spots I read about thanks to you. Congratulations and kudos!
Thank you, Jenny! I’m so glad my little outings have helped you see a part of the country that is so far away. I’m on the other side of that coin as I’ve never been west of Tucson, Arizona.
Congrats Dave! I always look forward to your next posts. Always educational and fascinating.