Thomas Jones - Wash. Navy Yard

[John E.]

Many people assisted John Wilkes Booth during his escape but perhaps none more than Thomas Jones. The Maryland native provided food and newspapers to the fugitive and helped him cross the Potomac in to Virginia.

Jones was eventually arrested on suspicion of aiding JWB but was released for lack of evidence. Years later, he wrote a book detailing his efforts to help JWB and his accomplice.

In 1887, at the recommendation of Maryland Congressman Compton, Jones was given a position in the tool-room of the Washington Navy Yard. ** The same Navy Yard where six of the eight conspirators were temporarily confined aboard Navy ships.

For three years he did a good job and was not hassled by anyone. Eventually, his past caught up to him and he was fired by the commandant of the Navy Yard who had been unaware of his ties to the assassination.

Coincidentally, one of the men who opposed Jones working at the Navy Yard was Maryland Congressional candidate Sydney Mudd of Charles County. He challenged Congressman Compton for his seat and eventually beat him out. Mudd ran as a Republican.