Chasing Lincoln's Killer

While the troops prepared Booth’s body for transportation, Conger rode ahead: he was going to report the killing and capture, and he also hoped to stake a claim to the reward money.

Like Lincoln, Booth was autopsied, despite his obvious mode of death. Due to curiosity about the killer, it was necessary to hide his corpse from souvenir hunters. After some talk of a burial at sea, he was buried in an unmarked grave at the Old Arsenal Penitentiary.

Out of all those imprisoned during the manhunt, those tried were Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold, George Atzerodt, Samuel Arnold, Michael O’Laughlen, Edman Spangler, and Samuel Mudd. Of the people who aided Booth’s escape, only Mudd was convicted.

Meanwhile, scores of man hunters rushed to claim the $100,000. Swanson reports that Conger received $15,000, Doherty $5,250, Lafayette Baker $3,750, and Luther Baker $3,000. Corbett, Booth’s killer, received $1,653. A number of interrogators during the process received $500-$1,000. Garrett tried to sue over his barn, but was refused compensation.