Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-04-27

llNilS bih'S toAlilk dIVuuu uHOll Jic uuult0Cp,
and occasionally upon the stage, in his
usual graceful manner. He was subsequent.
~ observed by Mr.. Ford the proprietor of
the theatre to be slowly elbowing his way
through the crowd that packed the rear of
the dress circle toward the right side, at the
extremity Of which was the box where Mr.
and Mrs. Lincoln and their companions
were seated. Mr.. Ford noticed this az
slightly extraordinary symptom of interest
on the part of an actor so familiar with the
routine OF the theatre and the play.
APPROACH OF TIE CRISIS.
The curtain had arisen on the third act,
Mrs Mountchessington" and "Ara Tren-
chard' were exchanging vivacious stupidi
ties, when a young man, so precisely resem-
bling the one as described as j. Wilkes
Booth that he is asserted to be the same
appeared before the open door of the Pres
ident's box, and prepared to enter.
TIFF ASSASSIN AT THE BON DOOR.
The servant who attended Mr.. Lincoln
said politely "this is the President $ box,
sir; no one is permitted to enter. . am
2 SENATOR responded the person. Mr.
Lincoln has sent for me- The attendant
gave way, and the young man passed into
the box.
IN ItlI Db-h'
As he appeared at the door, taking a
quick, comprehensive glance at the Interior
Major Rathbonc arose. Are you aware
sir, he said, courteously, upon whom you
are lntruding? This is the Presidents box,
and no one is admitted. The intruder
answered not word. Fastening his ewes
upon Mr., Lincoln, who had half turned
his head to ascertain what caused the dis
turbance, he stepped quickly back without
the door
TIL SHOT.
Drawing Derringer pistol, and taking,
by means of some almost miraculous calcu-
lation, deadly aim, he fired through the
closed door on his right, the ball passing
through the door, and entering the brain Of
the President.
TIE AssAssIN's FLIGHT.
The movements Of the assassin were
from thenceforth quick as lightning.
Springng into the box, through the door
of which he had Just retreated, he dropped
his pistol on the floor, and drawing bowie
knife, struck Major Rathbone, who op-
posed him, ripping through his coat from
the shoulders down, and inhcting severe
hcsh.wound in his arm. He leaped then
upon the velvet-covered balustrade at the
front of the box between Mrs. Lincoln
and Miss Harris, and, parting with both
hands the flags that dropped on either side,
dropped to the stage beneath. Arising
and turning full upon the audience, with
the knife lifted in his right hand above his
head, he shouted SIC Smper ty1ron
njs-Nirginia is avenged !" Another in
stant, and he was across the stage and be-
hind the scenes. Col. j. b. Stewart, the
only person in the audience who seemed to
comprehend the deed he had committed
from his scat near the orchestra to the stage
and followed close behind. The assassin
was too fleet and too desperate; that fury
ncarnate, meeting Mr.. Withers, the leader
of the orchestra just behind the scenes,
has stricken him aside with blow that for.
tunatcly was not a wound, overturning Miss
Jennie GourIay, an actress, who came next
in his path. He gained without further
hindrancc, the back door previously left
open at the rear Of the theatre, rushed
through it, lcaped upon the horse held by
Mr. Spangler, and without vouchsafing that
person a word of information, rode out
through the alley leading into + street, and
thence rapidly away. His horses hoofs
might almost have been heard amid the
silence that for a few seconds dwelt in the
interior Of the theatre.
TEE SCENE IN THE THEATRE
Then Mrs Lincoln screamed, Miss. Har
rls cried for water, and the full, ghastly
truth broke upon all-"The President is
murdered" The scene that ensued was
tumultous and terrible as one of Dante's
pictures of hoIl. Some women tainted,
others uttered piercing shricks, and cries for
vengeance, and unmeaning shouts for help
burst from the mouths of men. Miss Lau-
ra kcene, the actress, proved herself, in
this awful time, as equal to sustain part in
real tragedy, as to interpret that of the
stage. Passing one moment before the foot
lights to entreat the audience to be calm,
she assembled the stairs in the rear of Mr..
Lincolns box, entered it, took the dying
Presidents head in her lap, bathcd it with
the water she had brought, and endcavorcd
to force some of the liquid through the in
sensible lips The locality of the wound
was at first supposed to be in the breast. -
1t was not until after the neck and shoul-
ders had been barred, and no mark discover
ed, that the dress Of Miss Keene, stained
with blood, revealed where the ball had
penetrated.
THE INSENsIBLE PRESIDENT CARRIED OUT.
AS soon as the confusion and crowd were
partially overcome the form of the Presi-
dent was conveyed from the theatre to the
residence of MIR. Peterson, on the opposite
side of Tenth street Here upon bed, in
a little hastily prepared chamber, it was laid
and attended by Surgeon General Barnes
and other physicians, speedily summoned.
THE ASSASSINATION.
From distinguished officers of the army,
who was sitting near the Presidents box at
the time OF the assassination, we have re-
ceived the following interesting statement ::
On the night of Friday, April II, 1850,
in company with friend went to Ford $
Theatre, arriving there Just after the en-
terance of President Lincoln and the party
companying him. My friend and /, after
viewing the Presidential party from the op-
posite side of the dress,circle, went to the
right side and took seats in the passage
above the seats Of the dress circle and about
| five feet from the door of the box During
the performance the attendant of the Pres
ident came out and took the chair nearest
! the door.
sat, and had been so sitting, about four
feet to his left and rear, for some time. A
man whose face do not distinctly remem-
ber, passed me, and enquired of one sitting
near mo whore the Presidents messenger