The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-04-28
SKETCHES OF THE AssAsslNs.
John wilkes Booth,

the assassin Of President Lincoln has at last beon
hunted from his hiding place, and in attempting to
cape has been shot and killed His desperate fight and
resistance until shot give additional interest to the
history of the desperate made notorious and infamous
by his cowardly assassination of the President
John Wilkes Booth, the third Of Lucius Junius
Booth the celebrated actor, born 'The Farm"
his fathers estate Baltimore, in 1888. He made
his rs appearance the stage in 1885, under tho
Of Wilkes as Richmond, in Richard ILL.,, at the st.
Charles theatre, Baltimore being then but seventeen
years Of age He subsequently made a regular dba un
der his proper in Philadelphia, but did not meet
with the success his young ambition had anticipated
In 1853 he went to Richmond Virginia, as stock actor
in George Kunkels company, but his vicious disposition
offensive manners and intemperate habits not only re-
arded his professionally but socially, and his
popularity confined to the class of young desperados
who haunt Southern cities in great numbers He habitu
ally went armed, and was often led by his dissipation
into numerous quarrels Leaving Richmond in 1850 he
wont to Montgomery, where he engaged as lcadng
man" at the Montgomery theatre. While here his habits
of dissipation did not improve In 1861 the pistol
which he always carried accidentally exploded woundng
him severely in tho leg He forced to abandon the
stage for time, and came North. When he had re-
covered he played star engagements in this city, Boston,
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washingon-hs last appear
professionally being at Fcrds theatre, Washington,
In the part u Pesora the Apostate for the benefit of
Joseph Mccullough This but short time previous
to the fearful tragedy In which he engaged at the same
theatre on the night Of April H. 1885,
1t is known that after committing the deed, which
resulted in the death Of the President Booth In attempt
ing to escape thrown from his horse and broke his
leg SO admirable however, the arrangements Of
his numerous accompces, that he was still enabled to
get or safely and in spite Of the vigorous pursuit OF the
government detectives both the Potomac and
Rappahannock rivers before being captured or killed
In person Booth not tall but handsomely formed
with regular features and fine complexion His hair jet
black and glossy cured slightly and set OFT in nne rele
high intellectual forehead and face full Of nteln
gence Both chin and marked prominent, and
the firm set lips and lines about the mouth indicated
nrmness Of will, decision and resolution He
puiousy neat in his Dress and selected his habit with
rare perception Of what becoming TO his figure
complexion He would pass anywhere for neatly houg
| not over-dressed Of fashion. He unmarried
| and much given to amours. II is said that he al
opium eater; but 1t is only certain that he frequently
drank TO excess He dead shot, a fine fencer,
thorough horseman and master Of the dagger bowie
knife. His personal bravery questioned. II
has been stated by Washington papers, with air Of
authority that a the time Of his murder Of the President
he hold commission in the rebel army lieutenant
colonel but So the appointment of secret
save 10 q few