Local Harpers Ferry Historian David Hartman talks about the history of John Wilkes Booth and how became forever associated with the house on 43 Old Taylor Ln! Read the transcript written by paranormal researcher and Harpers Ferry Paranormal Society historian Tyra L. Rathje.

Interview of David Hartman
by Tyra L. Rathje
31 March 2010

While young and impressionable, David went to a parade with his father in Louisville, Kentucky. As a group of Civil War veterans marched by them his father said, “Here come the real vets.” David came to Harper’s Ferry, WV in 1949 at the age of 12 years. The area that includes Harper’s Ferry was surveyed by Washington. It was a part of Virginia, which stretched all the way to Mississippi. He studied the Civil War and collected Confederate paraphernalia.

In the 1950’s he visited Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. The pistol used in John Wilkes Booth’s assassination of President Lincoln was displayed in a small glass case. Visitors were allowed to pick up and hold the gun. Things were quite different back then! Some of Hartman’s collection included a Bible with documentation and letters. Unfortunately, he didn’t think to copy them before the items left his possession. He has read many historical studies that are currently at the Library of Congress.

During David’s studies, he ran across figures, such as Jackson, General MacArthur and Lincoln. Listening to him speak of the events that took place in Harper’s Ferry and the nearby towns is absolutely fascinating. He has a special way of bringing history to life.

A friend introduced David to a nice man by the name of Roy Booth. He and his father were moonshiners and relatives of John Wilkes Booth. Roy told David what he knew about John. As most people know, Junius, Edwin and John Booth were very famous actors. Like today’s movie stars, they were well-known across the United States.

Harper’s Ferry has been a tourist area for many years. It’s not too far from D.C. and could be accessed by train. One of the attractions that still exists today is the Apollo Theater in Martinsburg. It presented numerous plays and operas. Jefferson, Jackson and Washington also visited the area. However, Route 340 did not exist- only Charlestown Road.

Roy said John Wilkes Booth used to rent a home in Harper’s Ferry for summer use. That home is what is currently known as the “Haunted Cottage” on Old Taylor Lane. Being a charmer of the ladies, Booth had many lady friends. One of them, Pam, stayed with Booth during his stay in Harper’s Ferry. Recently, the home was on land that belonged to Frank Cavalier. It was a dairy farm, but there were also rentals and tenant homes on the property.

Charles Town, WV was the main producer of tin roofs in the United States. It brought two of John Wilkes Booth’s friends, John Yates Beall and John Hager or Yeager (he was unsure), to the area. When Booth learned they were in the area, he found them and rekindled their friendship. However, the Civil War started, sending friends into battle. Jackson & Beall joined the Confederacy. A severe wound (to the lung) left Beall incapable of active military service. It took him 3½ years to recover. During his recovery the Secret Service wanted Beall to free Confederate officers. (The plan was to free captured Confederate officers by derailing the train that carried them.) He and his companion, John S. Anderson, were captured in Niagara, N.Y. (Anderson testified against Beall in return for leniency.) President Lincoln signed Beall’s death warrant and refused all requests to reverse that decision.

After Beall was hanged (February 24, 1865), his body was shipped to Harper’s Ferry by train. The wagon carrying the casket to the cemetery passed in front of Booth. This infuriated him. Beall was considered to be the brother Booth never had. Twenty-two days later, Lincoln was assassinated. Did Booth kill Lincoln in revenge for killing Beall?

End of Interview.

Personal Notes:

Beall was hanged at Governor’s Island in New York. According to The University Memorial, Volume V- 1865, pages 701 & 702, his body was given to two friends. They held a private memorial and buried him in the Greenwood Cemetery, located in New York City.

One month ago I had the pleasure of meeting Frank Cavalier and his wife. They are a lovely couple. Frank is another interesting person who knows quite a bit about the area.

It was a great pleasure meeting David Hartman and the Cavalier’s.