Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-05-02
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

!. WILKES Booth was killed and David
Hereld. his companion and aeoomplice
in the assassination Of Pres
Death OF ident Lincoln. was captured
poo+h the morning Of Wednesday.
April "a, 1895, at the Garrett
farm. in Virginia, on tbs Rappahan-
noeh4 The news Of this end Of pur-
suit that had started Immediately after
the crime was printed first in an extra
Star issued during the morning of
Thursday. April 81. Subsequent issues
of The Star contained various versions
of the chase and capture, with q Anal
summing up of the case In the issue Of
Saturday, April ss, as follows:
There no longer remains any doubt
that Booth fractured his leg when he
sprang from the Presidents box on the
stage. 1t being one of the small bones.
1t Is net preba bic he discovered the ex-
tent of the Injury until next day. On
the night of the assassination the con-
federates of Booth were actively en-
gagged In measures to divert pursuit
from the right direction. and a number
Of horses were turned loose, with no
other object than to convey the idea
that the assassins were still in the city.
The report of Booth being seen in
Pennsylvania was also started by his
friends. 1t Is believed, but all such
canards were neglected. the detectives
steadily and surely tracing the MUIR
derer In all his wanderings through
Maryland.
EARLY Saturday morning the deteo-
tives and military were sent across the
Eastern branch. others following in
n UHi t,tfh DIT,
Charles and st. Marys counties were
fully enveleped. The first reliable in
formation concerning Booth WAS OBJ
tained Saturday morning at Surratts
tavern. about ten miles from the city.
on tho road to Bryantown. The mill
tary first called at this place. but failed
to get any definite statement until the
detectives came Up.
Tho tavern IL owned by Mrs. Surratt,
and leased to the old man who keeps
1t. Upon a close ex-
Mrs. Surratt'S animation he stated
A,,;.4 that Mrs Surratt had
been there on Friday
afternoon and left word that two men
would arrive in the night who were to
be generously provided for. She also
directed that two carbines suspended
by string between the plastering of a
partition should be given them, Booth
and Herold arrived as expected and re-
manned until some time Saturday FORE
noon. but on leaving Booth declined to
take carbine. stating that he was too
lame to carry it. Herold, however, took
one and the two set out for the lower
counties.
Upon reaching the neighborhood Of
Pryo pf0
painful to proceed further and the
services of DIR. Mudd of that vicinity
were called into reQuisition. After the
fracture had been dressed and Booth
had left the detectives arrested Mudd
who denied all knowledge of the char
acter of his patient. The boot, how
ever. which had been cut Off from
Booths foot was found and in 1t was
written with ink, j. Wilkes the word
Booth evidently having been scratch
of the name was left Is a mystery un-
less a sudden alarm hurried of the
party before the completion Of the
erasure.
The next place Booth and Herold
were heard from was at the house of
DR.. Coke, who upon
Relow Or being questioned denied
-, having seen any such
muuo 5. parties, but said that
three paroled rebel soldiers had applied
there for accommodations and had been
sent away. Coxe's servants, however.
all asserted that the two men had
stayed there over night. that their mas
ter had entertained them in the most
hospitable manner and upon their de-
parture gave to each quantity of
whisky.
THE detectives next came upon the
fugitives near the Sachiar swamp, in
Charles county. There they found a
dilapidated shanty occupied by an old
colored woman, who stated that on
that morning one of them, with a
crutch. had come out of the woods and
asked for something to eat. offering to
pay any sum for it. She, being afraid
of them, told them she had nothing,
that there were no white people around
there, and that they could get nothing
to eat in that vicinity. The lame man
had then inquired the direction to the
great swamp, which she gave. and the
two went off. The Sth Illinois Cavalry
and a regiment of colored troops were
Immediately sent through the swamp
in every direction, but without finding
any trace of the assassins, the latter
evidently having secreted themselves
in the pine woods and made their es-
cape while the swamp was being
secured. Sunday afternoon Booth ana
Herold crossed the Potomac at Swami
point, a short distance below Matthias
point. and, passing through Port Royal
en- route to Louisa Court House. were
captured at CARROTS place.
y \
Facts have come to light which show
conclusively that Booth and his &C
completes had. before
Route Planned carrying their plans
into execution. decided
Al 0u'"A upon the routes to be
taken in making their escape. Maps.
Understood to be in the possession of
the government, and which are known
to have belonged to these parties. bear
distinct marks of the routes laid out
by them. Booth and Herold were to
escape to rebellion and seek Jen Davis
protection, who was finally to assist
them in leaving the country. Herold,
in a conversation with an acquaintance
who resides in Maryland. some time
previous to the murder, made re-
mark that there was no extradltlon
treaty between the United States and
Spain.
Surprise has been expressed that
Booth selected such a shallow-pated
Dartmouth as Her
Whv Herold old as his nearest
accomplish in SO ter
700 oAosoA' rible a plot. This
mystery, we think. may be explained
q