Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-16
j, v. HUMPHREY DEAD
Native and Lifelong Resident
of Washington.
AN INCIDENT IN HIS CAREER
Owned Horse on Which Assassin of
President Lincoln Escaped.
WAS NOT AN ACC0MPLICE
Acquitted by Courts and Public opin-
ion-Was in Livery Business
for Years.

James W. Humphrey. long a prominent
and active business man of Washington.
died this morning at $50 o'clock at his resi-
dence. AT c street, after a short Illness
Mr.. Humphrey was native of Washing
ton, born here September II, 1882, and had
lived here all his life. He was connected
with the livery business for many years.
and an important incident in his career, for
which he was in no way responsible was
the circumstance that from his stables on
street northwest John Wilkes Booth en-
gagged the horse upon which he rode to the
rear of Ford's Theater prior to the assassi-
nation of President Abraham Lincoln, and
on which he afterward escaped into Mary
land, where he met his death.
The spurs which John Wilkes Booth
wore on this expedition were borrowed from
Mr. Humphrey, although the latter had no
knowledge of the purpose for which the as
sasssn intended to employ them. For some
time after this tragic event Mr.. Humphrey
was under surveillance, and was not re-
ieved until after the trial and conviction
or the parties who were accused of asso-
citation with John Wilkes Booth in the
sassination. AT the end of these trying
times Mr.. Humphrey. who had already
been acquitted by the courts was also ac-
quilted in popular estimation ard continued
for many years in his original business.
He was active. energetic and very char
liable in each and every walk of life. lie
had during life many friends which he con-
tinued to hold until his end.
Booth Alone Responsible.
While Mr.. Humphrey was identified in
striking manner with the great closing
tragedy of the civil war, he always held.
and his views were believed, that the idea
of assassination arose in the mind of Booth
alone, and that all the others who were
accused of participa ton in that sad event
were influenced by that peculiar and erratic
character He exhibited the deepest SYM
pathy for Mrs. Surratt, whom he regarded
as wholly innocent of participation, and it
is said he sat mounted on his horse for
hours waiting in the hope of having the
privilege of carrying President Andrew
Johnson's reprieve to Mrs. Surratt, then i'm
prisoned and afterward executed at the
arsenal in this city.
Mr. Humphrey often told his friends that
his only connection with the Lincoln con-
spfracy was that he lost his horse. Booth
had taken from the Humphrey stables the
horse which he rode to Ford's Theater,
which was waiting for him, and on which
he rode away to Maryland; and 1t is said
the horse was afterward killed by Harold,
Booths companion, after escaping into
Maryland, to avoid detection and capture.
Mr. Humphrey was for some time under
arrest, In common with almost everybody
| that knew anything about, or had any pos
| sible connection with, this incident Of
American history, but, stated. he was at
| the time, and has since been, absolved of
all connection with that lamentable occur
| renee.
Mr. Humphrey will be buried from his
| late residence AT c street northwest on
| Monday, but the hour has not yet been
| fixed. He leaves a widow and six surviving
| children, one son, Mr.. Percy Humphrey, and
| five daughters.