November 1864 Classified Ad by JWB

[John Fazio]

Maybe this isn't Booth?
It's just a misdirecting false lead from the New York gang designed to throw the police and historians 160 years in the future off track.

Any similar type adds in the newspaper regarding housing wanted?

Gene:

Excellent! I do believe you are on to it. The name "Wilkes" is common enough. There is really no good reason to suppose that it was Booth simply because that is his middle name. As for your second sentence, however, I seriously doubt it. It is too early for the New York crowd.

John