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International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology

DOI:10.29111/ijlrst   ISRA Impact Factor:3.35,  Peer-reviewed, Open-access Journal

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JOHN WILKES BOOTH (1838-1865) AND LEWIS THORNTON POWELL (1844-1865): CONTROVERSIAL IDENTIFICATIONS OF TWO SOUTHERN CONSPIRATORS FOUND GUILTY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN?S DEATH

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International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology Vol.4 Issue 5, pp 110-114,Year 2015

JOHN WILKES BOOTH (1838-1865) AND LEWIS THORNTON POWELL (1844-1865): CONTROVERSIAL IDENTIFICATIONS OF TWO SOUTHERN CONSPIRATORS FOUND GUILTY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN?S DEATH

Dr Xavier Riaud

Correspondence should be addressed to :

Received : 08 October 2015; Accepted : 13 October 2015 ; Published : 31 October 2015

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Article No. 10578
Abstract

On April 14, 1865, at about 10:10 pm, a man shot Abraham Lincoln in the back of his head at point blank range. His name was John Wilkes Booth. The President of the United States died the following day. Meanwhile, a man broke into William Seward’s office, the Secretary of State, and seriously wounded his face. The attacker’s name was Lewis Thornton Powell. Both of these men succeeded in leaving the American capital without any trouble. However, few days later, Booth was arrested in a farm in Virginia and was summarily executed. His body was repatriated and an autopsy was conducted on April 27, 1865. While the report was absolutely positive concerning the murderer’s identification, the journalists remained doubtful. Were we definitely sure it was Booth’s body? As for Powell, he was arrested three days later. He was judged and sentenced to death. But examinations resulting from his trial have shown dental idiosyncrasies which turned to be crucial in the identification of a skull discovered several years later.

Key Words   
American Civil War, History, Forensic dentistry.
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References
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To cite this article

Dr Xavier Riaud , " John Wilkes Booth (1838-1865) And Lewis Thornton Powell (1844-1865): Controversial Identifications Of Two Southern Conspirators Found Guilty Of Abraham Lincoln?s Death ", International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology . Vol. 4, Issue 5, pp 110-114 , 2015

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