The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-04-09
EBENSBURG, PA, FRIDAY, APRIL 9. 1880
JOHN WILKES BOOBIES DEATH.
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PURSUIT AMI
CAPTURE OF THE MURDERER BY THE
OFFICER IN COMMAND.


Picay1ine appears statement purporting to
come from Captain Edward P. Dorherty,
now a street contractor in New Orleans, in
which are detailed some of the incidents re-
lative to the capture and killing of John
Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Lin
coin. There are said 20 be so many glaring
inaccuracies in the article, so many state
ments that are not substantiated by facts
and by the records of the War Department,
that history of the exciting event has been
obtained from the lips of Lieutenant l.. B.
Baker now a clerk in the Auditor Generals
office, who had command of the party which
captured the murderer.
At the time when Booth shot President
Lincoln-April 14th, 1865, in Ford's theatre
General L. G. Baker, chief of the detective
force of the War Department, and Lieuten-
ant l.. B. Baker were in New Y ork city
looking for bounty jumpers. Secretary
Stanton telegraphed these two officers to
come to Washington Immediately. They
arrived in Washington the morning of the
third day after the terrible deed was com
mitted. Cavalry had secured the country
for miles around and kilograms were sent
over all the lines. General Baker gained all
route Booth and his accomplices would pro-
badly take, and concluded that they would
go down the Potomac, taking in Surrattville,
cross the river, and make their way to Rich
mOnd. He sent telegraph operator and a
detective down the river by boat to Port
Tobacco and vicinity, with orders to tap the
wires and let him know if there was any
trace of the missing fugtives. Near Chap
pella Point the detectives found a negro
whom they brought to Washington, and who
stated that he was positive he saw both
Booth and Harold, whom he knew well. cross
ing the river in fishing boat. At first the
General discTedited his statement, but on
showing him several likenesses Of the assas-
sins and others, the coloTed man pointed out
Booth and Harold as the men whom he saw
An escort of twenty-five cavalrymen, under
Captain Dorherty, were placed at Lieutenant
Bakers command, who had orders to ''bring
Booth, dead OF live" At the request of
Lief tenant Btker, Lieutenant Colonel E. J.
ConS er, a bT5ther of Congressman Conger.
an 8sperieiced cavalry officer who had Just
becrksS< Tered out of the United States ser
vice. ;.S added to the party. Colonel Con-
ger had raided the country in every direction.
and was valuable on account of familiarity
with the roads and for his undaunted courage
and bravery. The party went on board the
John 5. Ide, and steamed down to Belle
Plain, near the mouth of Aqua Creek.
They landed about ten o'clock at night, ard
commenced the search.
The dash was made through the lane in
short ORDER and the house surrounded.
Lieutenant Baker dismouuted, went on to
the piazza and thuudered at the door The
old man Garrett threw up a window near
and asked in a frightened tone, ''What is
the matter ?'' Lieutenant Baker seized him
by the arm, and ordered him to unfasten the
door and strike light This he did and the
Lieutenant entered the hall. Mr.. Garrett
soon appeared with tallow candle The
Lieutenant took the candle and asked
"Where are the men who are stopping with
you ?" The old man was very much ex-
cited, and he stammered out that ''they went
to the woods when the cavalry went by"
The Lieutenant said ''DOn't you tell me
that again, they are here" The sight of the
pistol brought young Garrett to the front,
who said: "Don't jnjure father, and I will
tell you all about it,. they are in the barn"
About this time Colonel COnger came into
the hall. Lieutenant Baker took young
Garret by the collar and led him out on the
piazza, while COnger formed the men to sur
round the barn. The Lieutenant then o: der
ed Garret to lead the way. Before reaching
/ the barn Garrett said 'T have forgotten
/ the key, but my brother has it, who is sleep
. ing in the corn crib We would not let those
men sleep in the house, and were afraid they
would steal the horses and get away" The
/ brother soon appeared with the key and de-
! livered it to Lieutenant Baker. The barn
was then surrounded, and Lieutenant Baker
unlocked the door, Up to this time Booth
and Harold seemed 10 be asleep. Colonel
/ Conger came up, rustling was heard inside
the building, as if the inmates were rousinq
up from sleep. Lieutenant Baker said to
Conger, "Garret must go in, demand theil
surrender, and bring out their arms" TC
this COnger assented, but Garrett was re
lunctant to obey, saying ''they are desperate
fellows and armed to the teeth" Lieutenant
/ Baker seized him, opened the door and
showed him in, and then closed the door. The
/ Lieutenant hailed the assassins, and said
1--WE send you this young man, in who's,
custody we find you, and you must surrendei
your arms to him, or we will set fire to tn,
barn and have a bonfire and a shootin.
match" \ low conversation took place in
side the building, and Booth was heard t.
say to Garrett "D-n you You have be
tTayed me; get out of here OF ! will shoe
you -
Garret came to the back door, and said
Let me out, Captain. ] will do anything
for you, but l can't risk my life here" Tn
door was opened, Garrett came out with
Sound, and the door was again closed. Lieu
tenant Baker had the light in his hand an
! young Garrett said eff you don't put tha
light out he will shoot every one of you.
, The light was placed a short distance froI
+ the door, but so as to light the whole from
of the building, which had been once used q
a tobacco house. The light was necessar
in case the assassins should make a brea
for the door and get out. The soldiers wei
dismounted, but refused to stand in the fgl
, and they were allowed to seek a safe pos
ton Lieutenant Baker again demande
: their surrender. Booth replied in a clea
ringing tone, Captain there is a man
here who wishes to surrender very much.
At the same time conversation took plaC
within, and Booth was heard to say
! Harold, "D-n you, leave me, viii you
: Go, don't wish you to stay," and in fe
: minutes Harold raped at the door, sayin
''Let me out; l know nothing of this man.
Lieutenant Baker said ''Bring out Il
arms and you can come He replied, &
D have no arms % The Lieutenant said
/ a.