Evening star., 1932-02-07

rot busy to pass judgment on the claim.
The upshot of their deliberations was fairly
ueneral agrc ement that the mummy could not
be that of Booth he had been killed In 1868
during his fight from Washington. The OLD
rumors that he had really escaped on that
3occasion and that some one else'S body had
been buried as his. were dismissed as rumorS
and moth NJ more, and the familiar story about
his being shct to death in a burning barn In
Virginia was accepted as true.
But in checking up this tale investigators
brought to I.ght a strange little bit of history
that heretofore had gone unnotlced-the 1ate
OF the man who killed Booth.
Lost for years this story constitutes one OF
the strangest Of all sidelightS on the murder
of President Lincoln.
Its hero is one Thomas P. Corbett, who was
born in London in 1892 who came to America
ns boy Who became an ilnerant hatmaKer
and who was converted in a revival meeting
In Boston some time before the Civil War. To
commemorate his conversion he called hmSeH
Boston Corbett after that. and it is by that
name that he figures in this story.
4HOSTON CORBETT enlisted in the Union
d Army in 1858 serving in Company L, 10th
New York Cavalry He took part in many
engagements and was captured and confined
for time IN Andei sonville Prison, being freed
later in an eXchonge of prisoners. He was
stationed IN washington az IIle CIIlle VI 4IllI-
coins death
Booth. after shooting the President in Fords
Theater. fed into Virginia on horseback, handi-
capped by an ankle that was fractured when
he leaped to the stage from the presidential
box after the murder.
Several days elapsed before definite informa-
ton could BE- s--ured regarding the route taken
by the fugitive, but as soon as this had been
determined 1t was decided to form detach-
ment of . men from the barracks at wash
ington and start in pursuit of him.
Volunteers were asked for from the cavalry
troop and Boston Corbett was the first man to
step forward ana offer his services.
1t was just at the gray of dawn on April 26,
1865 that the fleeing assassin accompanied by
one of his fellow cCnsprators, was overtaken
near Bowling Green, Va. in the vicinity OF
Frederick burg.
They were discovered in hiding in tobacco
barn on the farm of planter named Garrett,
where they had passed the night. Booth and
his companion we're summoned to come out and
surrender. but this they refused to do and
Corbett baggei permission to enter by himself
and bring them out a request which WAS of
course refused.
FINALLY. as a last resort the barn was
set on fire, and this brought the surrender
OF Booths companion, but Booth himself re-
malneQ III ll5 DuIDIilB DuIluIilB, NAlcIC llC
could be seen through the wide openings be-
tween the boards that formed the walls. He
was defiant and refused to surrender.
AS Corbott pe2rcd into the building he saw
Booth raise and aim the Army pistol with which
|he was armed. whereupon he raised his rifle
and shot Booth. who then taken to the
porch of the farm house, where he died few
hours later.
Corbett was elated and believed he had done
In heroic deed and one for which he should
have credit Instead Of that, however he was
lat once placed under arrest by his commanding
officer and returned to Washington under
guard, charged with having violated orders,
which were 20 the effect that Booth should be
taken alive.
Court-martial proceedings were pending
when an examination was conducted by
|Secretary Stanton, Who after hearing all of the
evidence declared: The rebel is dead, the
patriot lives; he has saved the country expense
continued excitement and trouble. Discharge
the patriot"
Congress had offered a reward Of $4,000 for
the capture Of Booth, and Corbett expected