Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-04-20
PRESIDENT LINCOLN SHOT |
SEC'Y SEWARD ASSAULTED!
FULL PARTICULARS!
inauguration of Andresc
Johnson as President.
WASHINGTON, Friday, April 14th, 1865

President LINCOLN and wife, with other
friends, this evening visited Ford's Theatre
for the purpose of witnessing the perform
ance of the American Cousin.
1t was announced in the papers that
Gen. GRANT would also be present, but he
took the late train for New Jersey.
The theatre was densely crowded, and
everybody was delighted with the scene
before them. Dnring the third act, and
while there was temporary pause for one
of the actors to enter, sharp report of
pistol was heard which merely attracted
attention, but suggested nothing serious,
until man rushed to the front of the Presi
dents box, waving along dagger III his
right hand, and exclaiming Sic semper
tyrannis," and Immediately leaped from the
box, which was on the second tier, to the
stage beneath, and ran across to the op-
posite side, making his escape amid the be-
wilderment of the audience, from the rear
of the theatre, and mounting horse fled.
The screams of Mrs. LINCOLN first dis
closed the fact to the audience that the
President had been shot, when all present
rose to their feet, rushing toward the stage,
many exclaiming, Hang him, hang him"
The excitement was of the widest pos
sible description, and Of course there was
an abrupt termination to the theatrical per
formance.
There was rush toward the Presidents
box, when cries were heard Stand back
and give him air" "Has any one stimu-
lants ?" On hasty examination, it was
found that the President had been shot
through the head, above and back of the
tempGral bone. and that some Of the brains
were oozing out.
He was removed to a private house OPP
posite the theatre, and the Surgeon Gene
raj of the army and other Surgeons sent for
to attend to his condition.
On an examination of the private box,
blood was discovered on the back Of the
cushioned rocking chair on which the Pres
ident had been sitting, also on the parti-
ton and on the floor A common single
barrelled pocket-pistol was found on the
| carpet.
4 military guard was placed in front of
the private residence to which the Presi-
dent had been conveyed. An immense
crowd was in front Of it, all deeply anxious
te learn the condition of the President. 1t
had been previously announced that the
wound was mortal bnt all hoped other
wise. The shock to the community was
terrible.
At midnight the Cabinet, together with
messrs. SUMNER, CoTFAx and FARNswoRrH,
Judge CURTIS, Gov OGLEsBY, Gen: MEIGs,
Col. Hay and few personal friends, with
Surgeon-General BARNES and his immediate
assistants, were around his bedside.
The President was in state of syncope,
totally insensible, and breathing slow "
The blood oozed from the wound at the
back of his head The Surgeons exhausted
evry possible effort of medical skill, but all
hope was gone.
The President and Mrs LINCOLN did not
start for the theatre until 81 O'Clock. Spea-
ker CoLFAx was at the White House at the
! time, and the President stated to him that
he was going.
Although Mrs LINCOLN had not been well
because the papers had announced that
Gen GRANT and they were to be present
and, as Gen GRANT had gone North, he did
not wish the audience to feel dispirited.
He went with apparent reluctance, and
urged Mr. CoLFAx to go with him; but that
gentleman had made other engagements
| and with Mr. AsHMAN of Massachusetts bid
/ him good night