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Escape and Suicide of John Wilkes Booth
F. L. Bates was a young lawyer at Glenrose Mills, Texas when he became acquainted with John St. Helen. They became warm friends and St. Helen engaged Bates as his attorney in a federal suit. When St. Helen was urged to go on trial, he advised his attorney he could not afford to go into a federal court for fear that his true identity would become known.
Several years later, St. Helen became very ill and believing he would die, he called for his friend and attorney, Mr. F. L. Bates, and said: “Take from under my pillow a tintype photograph of myself and send it to my brother.” When questioned as to who his brother was, he said: “Junius Brutus Booth, New York City.” Mr. Bates then asked: “And who are you?” He replied: “I am John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln.'' This photograph is shown in the book. St. Helen did not die but recovered, and after many weeks, made a full confession of his crime, and escape, which is about as follows: “It had never entered my mind to kill President Lincoln until the afternoon of the day I committed the horrible deed. I and Herold, with others, had tried for a year and a half to kidnap Lincoln and take him to Richmond as a hostage of war. We came to Washington that day to make a final successful effort, but when we arrived in the city we learned for the first time that General Lee had surrendered. We went immediately to the Kirkwood Hotel to meet Vice-President Andrew Johnson, [who was in on the plot] and told him further efforts to kidnap the President were now useless, when Johnson remarked: “Will you falter at this supreme moment?” When Booth could not understand his meaning, Johnson said; “Are you too faint-hearted to kill him?” They then arranged the plans for the assassination at Ford’s Theatre that night. The book gives in detail the arrangement for the assassination, the means of escape, and explains who was the man killed at the Garrett home and passed off as John Wilkes Booth due to growing public pressure that Lincoln’s assassin be brought to justice.
Several years later, St. Helen became very ill and believing he would die, he called for his friend and attorney, Mr. F. L. Bates, and said: “Take from under my pillow a tintype photograph of myself and send it to my brother.” When questioned as to who his brother was, he said: “Junius Brutus Booth, New York City.” Mr. Bates then asked: “And who are you?” He replied: “I am John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln.'' This photograph is shown in the book. St. Helen did not die but recovered, and after many weeks, made a full confession of his crime, and escape, which is about as follows: “It had never entered my mind to kill President Lincoln until the afternoon of the day I committed the horrible deed. I and Herold, with others, had tried for a year and a half to kidnap Lincoln and take him to Richmond as a hostage of war. We came to Washington that day to make a final successful effort, but when we arrived in the city we learned for the first time that General Lee had surrendered. We went immediately to the Kirkwood Hotel to meet Vice-President Andrew Johnson, [who was in on the plot] and told him further efforts to kidnap the President were now useless, when Johnson remarked: “Will you falter at this supreme moment?” When Booth could not understand his meaning, Johnson said; “Are you too faint-hearted to kill him?” They then arranged the plans for the assassination at Ford’s Theatre that night. The book gives in detail the arrangement for the assassination, the means of escape, and explains who was the man killed at the Garrett home and passed off as John Wilkes Booth due to growing public pressure that Lincoln’s assassin be brought to justice.
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1907
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About the author
Finis L. Bates
7 books1 followerAmerican Lawyer.
Bates is mostly known for his book "The Escape and Suicide of John Wilkes Booth" in which he claimed that John Wilkes Booth was not killed by Union Army, escaped and lived for many years under alluded names.
Henry Ford's The Dearborn Independent published multiple articles on Booth & Lincoln by Bates.
Bates is mostly known for his book "The Escape and Suicide of John Wilkes Booth" in which he claimed that John Wilkes Booth was not killed by Union Army, escaped and lived for many years under alluded names.
Henry Ford's The Dearborn Independent published multiple articles on Booth & Lincoln by Bates.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 15, 2011
Bates has one incredible imagination. He recounts stuff as "fact" when the facts are just the opposite. Yes, conspiracy theorists have grabbed onto this myth for the past 100+ years. The grammar is horrible and the facts are just plain wrong. Unless you are looking for the conspiracy theory - leave this book alone. Not worth the read.
January 5, 2011
Having seen the Brad Meltzer's "Decoded" episode on John Wilkes Booth, I found this old book at Google Books and thought I'd give it a try. Published in 1907, the writing takes some getting used to, but it does give you fuel for thought.
March 26, 2020
The ravings of a mad man.
August 9, 2017
Food for thought...
May 14, 2025
Badly wrote nonsense . Don't waste your time.
May 5, 2020
Great read
January 8, 2019
This book is fascinating. The author rambles on a lot giving extra details where I didn't find them necessary and repeats certain passages a lot. Very compelling. Great storytelling, lots of good evidence, sometimes slow but picks up fast too. A must-read for all conspiracy fanatics and history buffs.
February 19, 2013
Loved it! Was turned on to it after watching Brad Meltzler's Decoded!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews