John Koster

Tom is a very decent, friendly, older gentleman, with such a love of history that he was willing to spend much of his life over a 10 year period researching dusty old archives, so that he, and others like him, could better understand that most tragic of all wars, the Civil war that ranged brother against brother on the field of battle.

While Tom has written several books, if money was his objective, he would have been better served by continuing to practice medicine. If fame were his objective, he could have signed up for one of those reality shows Beverly enjoys so much.

Some immature person altered one letter in an archive, probably a prank, he or she may have chuckled at the fact that others, both amateur like Tom, and professional like the archivists, were taken in by it. For heaven’s sake, it could even have been one of the archivists themselves, who, when faced with possible discovery, pointed the finger at Tom.

Was Tom singled out for fame and fortune for noting the (incorrect) date, no, but the document was put on display, as it had now assumed a greater importance because of the alteration. Here comes a second, and more plausible motive for railroading Tom Lowry, the archivists were embarrassed when the truth came out, and needed someone to hang. Tom was convenient because he had spent a lot of time in the archives, and an attractive target because he, as an enthusiastic amateur, had done something the archivists had been unable to do. He was also vulnerable, given his age, somewhat trusting nature, and preoccupation with his wife’s illness.

I have no doubt that the weight of the mighty Federal government will prevail. It’s a shame, because a good, kind, thoughtful man’s reputation has been ruined. He deserves better. I’d like to see the agents responsible for railroading Tom fired, or at least reprimanded, but I doubt that will happen. For those of you who have known Tom for longer than I, or relied on the wonderful research he and Beverly have provided, please stand up for your friend and colleague, and prove me wrong.

For those of you in the press, you ought to know better than to publish stuff the government puts out without questioning it. Are you simple tools of government propaganda? Show a little backbone and take a look at Tom’s side of the story a little more closely. Talk to his friends and colleagues, check the quality of his work, put some of the archivists, and the investigators under the microscope.