Everton Conger
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Everton Judson Conger (April 25, 1834 – July 12, 1918) was an American officer during the Civil War who was instrumental in the capture of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, in a Virginia barn twelve days after Lincoln was shot.
Biography
Everton Conger was born in Huron County, Ohio, in 1834.[1] He was the son of Rev. Enoch Conger, a Presbyterian minister. In 1856, he moved to Fremont, Ohio, where he established a dental practice.[2]
Conger enlisted in the
Following the
Conger tracked down Jett and interrogated him, learning of Booth's location at the Garrett farm, and led the soldiers there. Arriving early in the morning of April 26, 1865, the soldiers found Booth and Herold hiding in a tobacco barn. Although Herold surrendered, Booth refused.[3]
Conger set fire to the barn and Sergeant Boston Corbett mortally wounded Booth by shooting him in the neck. Booth was dragged from the barn and died on the porch of the Garrett farmhouse.[3][4]
Conger removed Booth's personal effects, including a diary. Conger was given $15,000 as a reward for the successful operation. The city of Fremont gave him a pair of inscribed silver-handled pistols in recognition for his role in tracking down Booth.
Conger moved to
See also
Notes
- ^ Some sources state that Everton Conger was born in what is now West Virginia
- ^ "1860 Federal Census, Fremont, Sandusky, Ohio". Heritage Quest. 5 June 1860. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
- ^ a b c "John Wilkes Booth's Escape Route". Ford's Theatre, National Historic Site. National Park Service. December 22, 2004. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
- ^ "Lieut. Doherty's report of Booth's capture". War Department. April 29, 1865. Retrieved 2007-10-15.