The Mysterious Case of John Wilkes Booth’s Assassin Weapon
Where is the Gun that Killed Lincoln?
The assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, on April 14, 1865, is one of the most infamous events in American history. Lincoln was gunned down by John Wilkes Booth, a southern sympathizer, while watching a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. The question that remains unanswered is: where did the gun that killed the president end up?
Discovery and Investigation
In 1865, the war was coming to an end, and the country was in chaos. The autopsy report on Lincoln’s murder revealed that the fatal shots were fired at close range, with the first one hitting his left temple. The second shot, often disputed, may have entered through his right eye (some reports say the angle was off). The ballistic evidence pointed to a modern Deringer pistol firing a single shot.
From the outset, the 13th Corps of War Department detectives led the search for Booth and his gang. They found numerous clues, including a hidden pistol on the floor above the Presidential box, marked with a note reading:
"Apr. 21, 1865–J. Wilkes Boh’t’s [Booth’s] Deringuer [Deringer]: The instrument with which 16th Pres. assassinated–the only assassination weapon of the party found by Detective Brown’".
The detectives interviewed witnesses, including the assassination witnesses, actors, audience members, and even military personnel. The Washington D.C. police did not preserve the crime scenes, leading to concerns regarding the handling of evidence throughout the investigation.
Investigation Obstacles
Law enforcement faced significant challenges at the time, including widespread corruption, inadequate forensic testing, and the lack of standardization in crime analysis. Additionally, the vast majority of witnesses were amateur investigators, making it critical to rely on their narratives. The investigators also prioritized apprehending Booth before the country’s attention shifts to Reconstruction and the peace process.
Wanted List and Rewards Offered
On April 24, 1865, the WANTED poster was released bearing Booth’s description, noting his " height, occupation, and peculiarities that will distinguish him from those who may resemble him not having been accurately described," and a $7,000 reward was instituted for his capture.
FBI Records reveal that more than 500 tips were received from the populace, many claiming to see Booth in various locations including Baltimore, Alexandria, and Richmond.
The reward increased to $15,000 throughout the investigation.
Detecting the Assassin’s Trail and the Gun
Intricate tracking, interviews with witnesses, and surveillance provided valuable insights. Pivotal leads emanating from Washington D.C:
- The assassin’s hat: A member of the Ford’s Theater staff identified Booth’s lost hat at a nearby railway station, linking him with the murder.
- Booth’s carriage: The abandoned carriage matched the description given by some witnesses, placing Booth nearer the Maryland border.
In Virginia, investigators stumbled upon crucial evidence:
a. Seward letters: Found on Booth among his belongings, these writings hinted at a possible Virginia hideout among sympathizers.
b. Harrison’s hotel: Guests at Harrison’s Hotel reported Booth’s passage, with one informant claiming he had seen another suspect.
c. Coles Farm : This abandoned farm off the Potomac pike led detectives to Veselka’s, a small village bordering Virginia, where Booth shot himself while cornered April 26, ’67 [16-year anniversary].
Upon investigation, authorities discovered other items belonging to Booth along the escape route, proving his footprints everywhere.
A New Chapter in the Book of American History
Confronting the mystery shrouding the gun lies at the heart of President Lincoln’s assassination. Amidst a turbulent period (1861-1866), authorities lost, mishandled, or destroyed vital evidence, thus leaving a trail unfollowed. Still, historians have piecemeal clues and leads, offering tantalizing glimpse into this fateful year.
In summary, given the passage of time: where is the firearm that took Lincoln’s last breath? Possibilities are diverse, perhaps hidden among countless historical collection archives or scattered among ancient artifacts in private hands– but one thing remains certain
A century and centuries to come will continue, and it will remain difficult to identify the gun involved in Lincoln’s assassination—though there will always hope for further revelations.,
