Mathews, John, 1835 or 1836-1905

Handwritten note in another hand on the back of the envelope: "Mem. Poor Mr. Matthews was one of the unfortunate people unjustly suspected of complicity in the Lincoln murder plot (being friends with John Wilkes Booth). He was seized and for a time imprisoned. The dreadful experience affected his mind and he was eccentric almost to derangment. I knew & often talked with him. L.[?]M."

From the description of Autograph letter signed from John Mathews to William Winter, New York [manuscript], 1900 March 16. (Folger Shakespeare Library). WorldCat record id: 416480688

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