The Life, Crime, and Capture of John Wilkes Booth
by George Alfred Townsend (1841–1914)
- Free to read
- 3 hours to read
- 10 chapters
- Reading level: 8th & 9th grade
"The Life, Crime, and Capture of John Wilkes Booth" by George Alfred Townsend is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work centers around the infamous assassination of President Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth, detailing Booth's background, the conspiracy behind the act, and the subsequent pursuit and fate of his accomplices. At the start of the narrative, Townsend sets the scene in Washington, D.C., on the fateful day of April 14, when Booth, the well-dressed actor, prepared for his heinous deed at Ford's Theater. It describes Booth’s meticulously planned approach, including his interactions and movements leading up to the assassination. He manages to capture the atmosphere of the theater, the audience's excitement, and the moment of the assassination itself, illustrating Booth's actions with vivid detail. The opening portion establishes not only the dramatic tension of the event but also begins to build an intricate portrayal of Booth's character and the gravity of his crime against a beloved leader.
- Booth, John Wilkes, 1838-1865
- Assassins · United States · Biography
- Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 · Assassination
Read the opening
Letter I
THE MURDER.
Washington, April 17.
Some very deliberate and extraordinary movements were made by a handsome and extremely well-dressed young man in the city of Washington last Friday. At about half-past eleven o'clock A. M., this person, whose name is J. Wilkes Booth, by profession an actor, and recently engaged in oil speculations, sauntered into Ford's Theater, on Tenth, between E and F streets, and exchanged greetings with the man at the box-office. In the conversation which ensued, the ticket agent informed Booth that a box was taken for Mr. Lincoln and General Grant, who were expected to visit the theater, and contribute to the benefit of Miss Laura Keene, and satisfy the curiosity of a large audience. Mr. Booth went away with a jest, and a lightly-spoken "Good afternoon." Strolling down to Pumphreys' stable, on C street, in the rear of the National Hotel, he engaged a saddle horse, a high-strung, fast, beautiful bay mare, telling Mr. Pumphreys that he should call for her in the middle of the afternoon.
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About this edition
This free edition of The Life, Crime, and Capture of John Wilkes Booth by George Alfred Townsend comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #6628, released 2004-10-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Crime, Thrillers and Mystery, Biographies, History - American, History - Modern (1750+).
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