Report that Booth's Horse Fell on Him

[Laurie Verge]

According to Herold's very confusing statement (a game of "How much can I confuse these Feds?"), he met Mr. Booth about seven or eight miles from Washington - which would be in the vicinity of Soper's Hill. Herold claimed that he was heading into Washington and that Booth was heading out of the city. Booth invited him to ride along into the country with him.

"When I refused to go, he insisted upon it two or three times, saying that his horse had fallen or he was thrown off, and his ankle sprained." This statement was made on April 27, so it is very evident that the newspapers could have run the story the next day.

Since the rest of Herold's statement is so rambling and confusing, it gives us little reason to say definitely that Booth's horse fell on him. And Davey was certainly smart enough not to say, "Oh yes, Booth had a broken ankle from his leap onto the stage at Ford's that night!"