Everton Conger

Colonel Everton Judson Conger (April 25, 1834–July 12, 1918) was an American Civil War veteran who was in command of the troops who tracked down John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, in a Virginia barn 12 days after Lincoln was shot in 1865.

Related Topics:
April 25 - 1834 - July 12 - 1918 - American Civil War - John Wilkes Booth - Abraham Lincoln - Virginia - 1865

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Everton Conger was born in Huron County, Ohio in 1834. He married Emma Boren on October 16, 1861, with whom he had five children. Conger enlisted in the Union army during the Civil War, becoming a captain and eventually a lieutenant colonel. He suffered several injuries and was assigned to work in Washington, D.C. He joined General Lafayette Baker's intelligence service to capture John Wilkes Booth following the April 14, 1865 assassination of President Lincoln. On April 26, after cornering the assassin, Conger ordered the burning of the barn that Booth was hiding in. Sergeant Boston Corbett mortally wounded Booth by shooting him in the neck. Conger removed Booth's personal effects, including a diary. Conger was given $15,000 as a reward for the successful operation.

Related Topics:
Huron County, Ohio - 1834 - October 16 - 1861 - Union - Captain - Lieutenant colonel - Washington, D.C. - Lafayette Baker - April 14 - Boston Corbett

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Conger moved to Illinois, built a home, and practiced law in Carmi. Later he was appointed as a Federal Judge in Montana Territory. He then moved to Hawaii to live with his daughter. He died there in 1918 and was buried in Montana.

Related Topics:
Illinois - Carmi - Federal Judge - Montana Territory - Hawaii - 1918

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