Why did Richard Garrett agree to shelter Booth and Herold?

Why did Richard Garrett agree to shelter Booth and Herold?

• A. He thought Booth was a wounded Confederate soldier
• B. He believed they were Union officers in disguise
• C. He needed extra help on the farm
• D. He expected payment for shelter

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is why someone would risk helping a stranger by sheltering them, based on what the stranger presents themselves as. Booth and Herold came to Garrett’s farm claiming they were wounded Confederate soldiers needing aid after the assassination. In that moment and place, a farmer who sympathized with the Confederate cause would be inclined to believe a wounded soldier and offer help, especially if the story seemed plausible about a leg injury and a trip to safety. This perception of distress and alliance with the Confederate side made Garrett decide to shelter them. The other possibilities don’t fit the situation as well. They weren’t presented as Union officers in disguise, and the decision wasn’t about needing extra help on the farm or expecting payment. The sheltering stemmed from trusting the wounded-soldier story and wanting to aid someone in distress.

The idea being tested is why someone would risk helping a stranger by sheltering them, based on what the stranger presents themselves as. Booth and Herold came to Garrett’s farm claiming they were wounded Confederate soldiers needing aid after the assassination. In that moment and place, a farmer who sympathized with the Confederate cause would be inclined to believe a wounded soldier and offer help, especially if the story seemed plausible about a leg injury and a trip to safety. This perception of distress and alliance with the Confederate side made Garrett decide to shelter them.

The other possibilities don’t fit the situation as well. They weren’t presented as Union officers in disguise, and the decision wasn’t about needing extra help on the farm or expecting payment. The sheltering stemmed from trusting the wounded-soldier story and wanting to aid someone in distress.