Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-05
BODY0F WILKES BOOTH.
Revival of Report That Assas-
sin Effected Escape.
DESIRE FOR INVESTIGATION
Transfer of Remains to the Family of
Deceased.
STAR REPORTER WAS PRESENT
Identification Was Complete-Open-
ing of the Ordnance Chest That
Contained the Corpse.

Since the assassination of President Lin
! coin by John Wilkes Booth at Ford S Thea
ter the night of April IA, 1855. there have
| been questions raised as to the identity of
| the assassin and of the body which, after
| interment for four years in the grounds
| of the Washington arsenal, in 1859 found a
permanent resting place with his kindred in
GreenmCunt cemetery, Baltimore. And now,
after nearly forty years. the story that
Booth in some manner made his escape and
| under another name lived for many years
is again revived. This time it appears in
the form of a letter to Speaker Cannon
asking a congressional investigation of the
subject to determine whether the body of
one John d. Heley who committed suicide
at Enid Okla. in 1893 is not the body of
the assassin. The suggestion is made that
if such is the case the body be placed on
exhibition in museum as an object lesson
That this story has, perhaps, no other
foundation than that the party in question
may have borne striking resemblance to
Booth and had woven an air of mystery
around him by his retlcence as to his ante
cedents is evident. From time to time such
stories have been put forth, one from South
America, another from Texas and still an
other from Georgia. Were they true, Booth
resided in several far-distant localities at
the same time 1t is said that in the Geor-
gia case the people who associated with the
party suspected as the assassin were so well
satisfied that he Ga school master) was the
real Booth that to this day they repeat the
assertion.
That Booth escaped from the theater after
firing the shot and rode across the Navy
Yard bridge through Prince George and
into Charles county, Md, and later crossed
the Potomac; that he was pursued and
wounded during this attempt to capture 4
him near Bowling Green, Va, are facts
which cannot be controverted.
Identity of Assassin.
Mr.. Lincoln was removed from the box in
the theater very short time after the shot
had been fired to the Petersen house oppo-
site-then 516 10th street. now known as
the Lincoln Memorial Museufn-and died 1
there at an early hour in the morning.
which fact was announced by the tolling of
bells. The fact as to who the assassin was
and the manner of his escape from the
building and mounting horse held in wait
ing for him in the alley was soon learned
and pursuit given. 1t must be con-
fessed that had it not been for the lack of
horses by our police force until early in the
morning his capture might have been eff
fected within a few hours Police head
quarters was then in the square south of
the theater and in less than an hour : laj.
Richards and his men had secured informa-
ton as to the direction taken by Booth.
request was made of the government for
horses, but as stated several hours elapsed
before they were furnished and other par
ties had obtained start That every ex-
erton to capture the parties and hold them
secure for trial was apparent In the move
ments and orders of the government Off
Gals and that prompt measures were taken
for the confinement of such is seen in the
order which reached Commodore Montgom-
cry at the navy yard by 10 o'clock:
IF the authorities arrest the murderer of
the President take him to the navy yard
and place him monitor"
The ironclads were the Montauk and the
Saugus. then lying in the stream on which
some of the workmen were employed, and
they from April IS to the Goth were used
as prison ships.
Escaped Into Virginia
It having been ascertained that Booth
escaped into Virginia, Lieut.. Col. Conger,
with some of Bakers force and detach-
ment of the 10th u S. Cavalry, under the
command of Lieut.. E. P. Doherty, went
in pursuit. He was tracked to CARROTS
farm near Port Royal. beyond the Rap
in a barn which was fired, and one OF the
soldiers, Boston Corbett, taking aim at
Booth, the ball pierced the latter's neck.
The party, with Booth in a wagon, start
ed at once for Acquia creek to board
boat. Before reaching that point Booth
died. Corbett's shot passed through the
spinal cord in his neck and the lower part
of his body was paralyZed, but in the few
hours he lived after receiving the wound
he appeared conscious at times and was
heard to say as he gazed on his hands
Useless useless.
There were two or three others brought
along by the party, and, with the body of
Booth, the steamer from Acquia
creek. 1t was shortly before O'Clock on
the morning of April "a that the members
reached the navy yard, and the members
Of the party were transferred to the mont
tors. The prisoners were placed in con-
finement on a monitor and in the yard,
and the body of Booth. wrapDed in
army blanket, was placed on the Saugus.
That the news of the arrival Of the body
caused excitement Is evident and in the
yard it was difficult for the many workmen
to perform their tasks, and there were
hundreds who endeavored from the wharf
to secure look at the body, while every
one believed to possess information was
held up.
Commodore Montgomery gave orders for
the making of a box for the remains, and
when 1t became known that such was the
case there were many who expressed a
wish to drive nail in 1t.
Communication with the monitors was
restricted to those bearing pass signed
by both Secretaries Stanton and Welles,
Lieut. Frank Munroe with a guard of ma
rines enforced the orders.
Surgeons Examine Body.
While Booths body reposed on the mont
tor men of Bakers force, as well as cav
airy. were about, and there were few WIS.,
itors. girl who had known Booth well
was taken aboard by one of Bakers men,
and on Identifying him attempted to cut
lock of his hair. but was prevented. During
the day Surg. Gen. Barnes, with one or two
assistants, and Dr. j. F. May went aboard
the monitor. The latter, having removed
from the back Of Booths neck curing life
a tumor identified the body from the cut |
as well as from his general knowledge In |
the afternoon Gen. Barnes and others were
seen around the body. and 1t was afterward