The Life Crime and Capture of John Wilkes Booth: with a full sketch of the conspiracy of which he was the leader and the pursuit trial and execution of his accomplices

Booth has simply carried out what ... secession politicians and journalists have been for years expressing in words ... who have denounced the President as a tyrant a despot a usurper hinted at and virtually recommended. --San Francisco Chronicle 1865The Life Crime and Capture of John Wilkes Booth (1865) is George Townsends description of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and his murderer. The following is a telling quote from his book: As (Booth) appeared at the door... Major Rathbone arose. Are you aware sir he said courteously upon whom you are intruding. This is the Presidents box and no one is admitted. The intruder answered not a word. Fastening his eyes upon Mr. Lincoln who had half turned his head to ascertain what caused the disturbance he stepped quickly back without the door... He only cast one furtive glance upon the man he was to slay and thrusting one hand in his bosom another in his skirt pocket drew forth simultaneously his deadly weapons. His right palm grasped a Derringer pistol his left a dirk. Then at a stride he passed the threshold again levelled his arm at the President and bent the trigger...