The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-03-31
DELAYED HISTORY
How the Assassins of Abraham Lincoln Were
Tracked by the Provost Marshal Of
the District Of Columbia
The Trail Followed Through Dense Swamps,
Across Rivers, and into the
Enemy's Country.
The Part Played by Booths Crutch in the His.
tory Of His Pursuit and Capture

Jflct OF Columbia III 1865, at the time
of President Lincoln's assassination,
publishes series of chapters giving
the hitherto unknown details and in
terests connected Herewith. After de-
scribing the immediate incidents con-
nected with the death of the martyred
President, Gen. O'Beirne gives the
particulars Of the pursuit of the assas-
sins, Of which as Marshal, he had con-
troll.
"With the determination and increas-
ing activity and vigilance which had
actuated the provost marshal and his
competent force of detectives from the
very start, it was resolved to run down
the assassin of President Abraham
Lincoln, and his companion, without
any delay. The different clues were
in turn rapidly exhausted by inves-
tigation, and finally, from reports and
gossip, which were carefully weighed,
the evidence became more and more
unmistakable that the flight of Booth
and Herold, who were now known to
be together, was continued from the
Maryland shore to the Virginia side
OF the Potomac. This was discovered
mainly by the tracking Of the marks
made by the crutch which Booth had
carried on account Of his broken leg.
On securing the skirt of the woods
near Byrantown swamps the provost
marshal suddenly observed a singular
indentation in the dead leaves. Stoop-
ing down to scrutiniZe it, he found it
20 be three covnered, corresponding
with the shape of Booths crutch and
clearly defined. Here was indeed
THE FIRST POSITIVE TRACK
OF the assassin, and new sensation
was felt by the pursuing party. From
that moment the provost marshal
never lost the trail. Proceeding foot
by foot, crawling on his hands and
knees, he brushed away dead leaves
and followed the tell-tale marks until,
after short detour was made, evil
IDENTIFY while Booth had shrunk tenn
porarily into the timber to avoid
observation, the crutch-marks were
again traced to the edge of the woods.
There two wagon roads ran together,
like the half of letter OK" and
one fresh trail on each was dicovered.
Thre was no merging of the two tracks
nor two different ones in the same
direction discernible. After care
full weighing of the indications the
conclusion was reached that the wagon
had been lifted bodily out of the track
OF one road and placed carefully on
the other, going in an opposite direc-
Glon. SO as to avoid discovery Of the
actual course taken by those in the
vehicle. This was judged to bear
toward Aliens fresh, and thither the
pursuing party under the provost
marshal rapidly rode at a gallon,
following the hoof-marks of the team
and the track Of the wagon in which
Booth was undoubtedly carried off
But no one knows to this day who
owned Or drove that wagon, nor has
the horse which Booth rode ever been
discovered. No one can tell it's where
abouts, nor the place of it's final dis.
appearance. Reaching the bank of
the creek which debouches from the
Potomac to Chapel point, it was deter.
mined to proceed at once to the Vir.
ginia shore opposite.
On crossing the river in a ploWed
field hard by a boat was found turned
up. TWAS of the fat fshings cow pat.
tern. Near by was pair of suspend
ers, and little further on again was
seen the crutch mark of Booth, three
cOrnered, the unerring sign that he
had crossed the river, had safely landed
IN Virginia, and had pursued his jour
ney on by the road which led up from
the bank and passed a little negro hut
close by, and which turned out to be
King George Courthouse road. An
Old couple who were very feeble, a
negro man and wife living in the
cabin, told the story of Booths land
ing, and identified him individually.
So here were the exact footsteps and
and crVtch mark on Virginia soil fer.
reted out and followed up the provost
marshal and his force, while all the
available detective Skill of the United
States was of the opinion and arguing
that Booth was in Maryland some.
where about Bryantown swamp.
The hveliest sense Of duty and the
resolve to prosecute the investigation
promptly were evident upon all sides.
The investigation and the clues it
developed had thus far been well
followed up, and were successful in
the results accomplished. The evil
dence was unmistakable. and after a
long and most trying pursuit it now
pointed to the early capture of the
heelng assasssins. But little over
twenSy-four hours had elapsed since
they were seen neal the very spot
where the small pursuing force now
stood. No time was to be lost. Rapid
movements were necessary if final
success was to be achieved. But how
were these movements to be carried
out? The little band of men on whom
alone the provost marshal had to RELY
were footsore, weary, and almost
unable to walk, from the severe ordeal
through which they had gone. Itwas
necessary to do something to effect
speedy progress in further pursuit,
which now promised to end in an early
capture. A consultation was had
hastily in an open field, on the exciting
juncture which affairs had reached
The unmistakable indications had
been obtained that Booth and one. or
perhaps two, other persons had landed
in Virginia. The crutch marks were
at the feet of the pursuers; the boat
in which he had crossed the river was
before them. The road they took was