The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-19
BOOTHS SLAYER ALIVE.
"BOstOn" COrbett Not Dead, as Re-
ported, but Alive I'm Kansas.


Washington Letter in Kansas City Journal.
The report that Boston Corbett was
dead and that the Pension Office was
anxious to secure positive proof of the
fact is without foundation. and it was
learned from authoritative sources at the
Pension Bureau that the slayer of John
Wilkes Booth is alive and has turned up
In Kansas.
He was last heard from as on his way
from Arizona to Kansas, with big two
horse peddling outfit. He has not drawn a
pension for years, and the papers in his
case have been sent to Topeka to head him
of when he reaches there. He was In an
insane asylum. from which he was dis
charged, but he is now under guardian
ship. While there is little doubt that the
man who has been heard from is Corbett,
yet the question Of identity will come up
again before the Pension Bureau, and to
satisfy the technical. requirements of PEN
sion legislation this matter must be inyes-
tgated and his identity be re-established
before the pension can be paid to him.
Corbett was the sergeant who was de-
tailed to capture Booth, who, while wound
ed. had sought shelter in a barn. While
the structure was on fire Booth attempted
to escape from the burning building at a
point where Corbett stood in charge of his
guard. He raised his rifle and ended the
life OF the murderer of Lincoln. After the
war Corbett went to Boston, Mass, where
he secured his nickname. In 1878 he went
to Camden. where he conducted a mis-
sionary church at Third and Zine streets
for several years. He lived alone in a
many times was found wanting the neces-
stiles of life. He gave or spent all of his
money in the cause Of religion. In the
early early eighties he went to Topeka, Kan.
an asylum. One day while he, with TWEEN
ty others, were out for exercise, under
guard, he spied horse under a tree. He
mounted 1t and was next heard from 120
miles from Topeka. There he met a friend,
whom he told that he was Disguised with
the way the United States government had
treated him, and he intended shaking en-
the dust of his country.
Afterward 1t was reported that he had
died in Mexico, then Texas, and finally
Other places also reported his death.
The records of the Pension Bureau show
that Boston Corbett first enlisted in
Company l, Twelfth Regiment of New
1861. and was discharged from this COM
pany Aug. 5, 1861. He enlisted in Com
pany X, Twelfth Regiment of New York
of this company Oct. s. 1852. He again
| enlisted In the same organization on June
| 49, 1853, and mustered out of this company
July 20 1863 On Aug. T. 1868, he enlisted
for three years in Company L, Sixteenth
Regiment of New York Volunteer Cavalry
| and was mustered out on detachment mus
| terout roll dated Aug. IL, 1865. During his
last service, or much Of the time, he per-
| formed the duties of scout
| At the battle of Centervile he was cap.
| tured by the enemy and remained in pris
| on until Nov. IL, 1864, when he was paroie6
at Savannah. Ga. Most of his imprison.
ment was in Andersonville. After dis
| charge he went to New York and was EN-
| ployed there and in New Jersey at hi:
trade. that of halter, UP to 1878. In 1871
| he went to Kansas, taking up home
| stead, and besides his farming was preach
| ing at times throughout that country.