Petersham High School - Hilltop Yearbook (Petersham, MA)

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X The Man Who Killed Lincoln Philip Van Doren Stern John Wilkes Booth associated Lincoln with the troubles of the South. He thought of Lincoln as the cause of all Confed- erate troubles. In his opinion, Lincoln couldn't he allowed to live. Fbr some time he had been planning to capture Lincoln and convey him as a prisoner of war to the Confedcrates. With the announcement of Lee's surrender, he found that he must kill Lincoln. ' ' A ' After much deliberation and planning, he killed Lincoln at Fbrd's theatre on April lith. His associates were supposed to kill other high government officials and meet Booth in Maryland. The others failed, Bower fled to Maryland. In escaping from the theatre where he shot Lincoln. hee-Eh had caught his foot in some drapes and broke his ehktc, Because of this injury, he could not make much speed. 1 fold, one of his associates, joined him after leaving Washinvten. He felt the need of a doctor to bandage his ankle despite his need to escape. He went to Dr. Mudd whom he had previously approached concerning his abduction plot. Dr. Mudd hound the ankle hut wanted Booth to leave after learning of 3nothYs deed. Believing he could get help from Samuel Cox, he went to him only to be refused help by Cox, who was enraged to hear that Booth had killed Lincoln, However, Booth and Herald found Thomas Jones who offered to get them food and to assist them across the Potomac. For five days Beech and Herald stayed in the thicket. They killed their horses to avoid detection hy searching soldiers. Eooth's ankle paiaed him greatly and he contracted a high fever. Finally they cruised the Potomac or so they ihought. On the morning of April 22th, they found that they more still in Maryland. That night they tried again and succeeded. They landed at Gambo Creeks, Herold was sent for help and food. He was refused by one woman but a Mr. D ryant offered to help for a price. Since Booth had crutches and couldn't make much progress, they wanted a wagon. They only succeeded in obtaining a couple of horses and moved on, They arrived at Port Conway and crossed the Rappahannock river. They put up at the Garrett farm not far away. After two days, the snldiers caueht up with Booth and Hertld.. On the morning of april 26th he and Herold were captured. In order to met them, the soldiers had to burn down the barn in which Poeth had spent the night. Booth was shot as he started to fire his gun. The man who shot him was Boston Corbett. The other memhers of Booth's conspiracy were caught and hanged after a trial. Life of Booth: Booth was born in 1850 on a farm near Belair, Maryland. Because he loved his mother, he promised her that he would not join the Confederate army. He and his brothers were actors as

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had been his father. Booth had formed quite a conspiracy against the North. In his mind he believed that he was doing the South a great favor. The South, contrary to his belief, couldn't arise and start fighting again as soon as he killed Lincoln. After a few days of refuge, he realized that the South was too badly beaten. His only hope was to get to Mexico where he could he free. He wrote several confessions of his crime explaining the reasons thoroughly. Because of his notion, he ruined the life of several other people, besides Lincoln, who were at the Theatre with him on that fateful night of April ldth, Robert Belden '47 Your Best Friend The Greatest friend a man can get, Is a loyal dog, whoill never fret. He goes with you, no matter where, And never has a worry or care. Every morning he greets you with happy eyes. With more of joy, than you realize. He plays with you when youfre alone, And talks with you in a style of his own. Some are large, others are small, But each will answer to his master's call. Some are skinny, old and blind, l But still the best friend you can find. Stuart Bryant '47 I 4........,.., ,......,-, ,