It’s true: the mercury made Boston Corbett crazy. But not before he shot the man who shot Lincoln. On April 26th, 1865, he was among the 16th New York Cavalrymen sent to track down John Wilkes Booth. Corbett got a shot through a crack in the barn and took it. Secretary of War (as they used to more honestly call the office) Henry Stanton wanted Booth live, but Corbett said he shot Booth because either A) Booth was armed and dangerous, or B) God told him to do so.

God talked to Corbett often. A few years earlier, Corbett had grown his hair long to emulate Jesus. Oh, and he also castrated himself with a pair of scissors. Yup. So as to not succumb to the temptations of prostitutes. Seems like finding a ladyfriend would have been a simpler solution. Or maybe he just REALLY liked prostitutes. Years later, Corbett dug a hole in a hillside and lived in it. And yet, he was still able to get a job at the Kansas state house. That lasted until he brandished a revolver and started charging around like a bull because someone made a joke about prayer. He died in a fire.

Tweet

Related Posts

• No related posts...