Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-06
IDENTIFIED LlNCOLN'S ASSASSIN BY MARK OF sCALPEl4

Al minds as to the identity ENTITY e of the the
man who was shot as John Wilkes
Booth and whose body was brought to
Washington for interment That the gov
eminent made no mistake is assured by
an autograph statement, in the hand
and over the signature of the late John
Frederick May. NJ D.. prominent ply
stefan and surgeon of Washington. This
paper is now in the division of manu-
scripts in the Library of Congress
Dr. Mays sta tement was made in Wash
ington and is dated January 10, 1887
1t was kept by him during his life. but
after his death, in 1881. was presented
by his widow to the government
valua BILE contribution to history, and it
now finds its place among the archives
of the nation The statement takes the
form of a long and carefully written mar
rative of the facts as DR.. May knew them
and was connected with them. Booth met
the fate intended for the assassin of the
President of the United States.
This plain and careful setting down of
facts by one closely connected with them
whole case. in which their author proves
to his own satisfaction that Booth was
insane when he committed the deed. DIR.
Mays statement. which is entitled 1.-THE
Mark of the Scaipel," is as follows:
Was the body brought to the navy
yard at Washington about two weeks
after the assassination of President
Lincoln and there seen on a govern
ment steamer that of John Wilkes
Booth?
Such is the question 1 was often
asked at that time both orally and
also by letters: some dictated by
patriotism and others from curiosity,
And it is well known there was much
doubt on this subject: and strange as
1T may appear. ! have credibly been
told there are still persons living who
do not believe that was the body of
United States.
Personal identification, as we know.
is far from being certain; and espe-
cially may this be said of identifica-
celebrated and extraordinary case of
The Claimant, many others might be
found to show that persons have often
been supposed to be living after the
they were dead.
THE question, then. at the head of
this article. need create no very great
surprise. even at this lapse of time.
WHcH dli tHc 1dClS COHueCleu Will IL
are known.
Some time before the assassination
of President Lincoln a fashionably
dressed and remarkably handsome
young man. accompanied by a friend
entered my Office in Washington and
introduced himself to me Mr. Booth
After some ordinary conversation he
told me he was playing an engagement
with Miss Charlotte Cushman, and was
much annoyed by large lump on the
back of his neck. which for some time
past had been gradually increasing in
size. and had begun to show above the
collar line of the ordinary theatrica!
costume.
He said he wished to have it re-
moved, and he particularly enjoined me
to say df questioned upon the fact of
his having undergone a surgical oper-
atom that it was for the removal of
bullet from his neck But he did not
give any reason for this request. With
out promising to observe this injunc-
ton. examined his neck. and found on
the back of 1T, or. rather, the left
side. quite a large fibroid tumor. but
which could have no connection with
bullet as to it's origin, or in any other
way. l advised its removal, but at
the same time told him would take 1t
out on one condition. which was that
he should suspend his engagement at