Why did Conger ride ahead of Booth's body entourage?

• A. He needed to scout the road.
• B. He wanted to be first to tell Stanton Booth had been found and killed and claim the reward.
• C. He wanted to show the others the way.
• D. He hoped to secure a better burial for Booth.

Answer: (B)

Motives around reporting a high-profile capture are powerful: the fastest messenger to the authorities can secure the official reward and recognition. Conger rode ahead to reach Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, quickly, so news that Booth had been found and killed would be delivered first. By being first, he positioned himself to claim the government reward and have the case officially acknowledged. The other possible actions don’t fit that immediate incentive—scouting the road, showing the way, or hoping for a better burial don’t offer the same direct payoff or urgency as delivering the crucial report to the authorities.