Dr. Mudd: The Deceptive Doctor, Or Not?

             cleared, or even if it should be. Did Mudd know about the conspiracy.
             all along and was he waiting for and expecting Booth, or was he just a.
             victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? .
             Dr. Mudd's Role in Lincoln's Assassination.
             During Mudd's initial interview with investigating detectives on.
             April 18, 1865, just three days after the shooting, he claimed, "I never.
             saw either of the parties before, nor can I conceive who sent them to my.
             house" (Steers 1). With these words, Samuel A. Mudd, was telling only half of the truth. This was because Booth and Mudd had.
             met at least three times in the preceding six months (Mills 112). The.
             first time that they met , Mudd claimed, was when Booth was interested.
             in buying his farm (Weichman 10). Some historians, however, believe that.
             since Booth lied trying to protect himself, that it was also quite.
             possible for him to be lying again about what events actually took place.
             with him and Booth. They believe that this was the first of the many.
             meetings in the plot to kidnap President Lincoln (Steers 2). .
             Consequently, Mudd's initial attempts to hide his acquaintance with.
             Booth, through lies, didn't stand up for long in the trial. This was.
             because Louis Weichmann, the government's key witness, testified that.
             while he and John Suratt were walking along Seventh Street toward.
             Pennsylvania Avenue, they met Booth and Mudd coming from the opposite.
             direction. He also testified that after introductions, the four men .
             went to Booth's room at the National Hotel (Steers 2-3). After this.
             situation was brought up, Mudd wrote this about the encounter:.
             We [ Mudd and Booth] started down the street, and up.
             another, and had not gone far when we met Suratt and .
             Weichmann. Instructions took place, and we turned back in .
             the direction of the hotel. After arriving in the room, I .
             first apologized to Mr. Suratt for introducing him to Booth, .
             a man I knew so little. Suratt and myself returned to our .