The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1865-04-21
Correspondence Of the Neso York Daily News
THE ASSASSINATION OF THE PRESI
DENT.

THE ASSASSINATION OF THE PRESI-
DENT.
All the circumstances preceding, at
tending and succeeding the preparation
of the horrible deed point so conclusively
/ in one direction that no one presumes to
doubt that President Lincoln was assassi-
mated by John Wilkes Booth.
Booth has been an irregular guest at
the National Hotel for several months
past. He retired from the stage some time
since, and has lately been engaged in the
Foil business, in which it is understood he
had amassed considerable fortune. On
Monday last he arrived in Washington,
some say from Baltimore, others say from
Ia farm which he is said to own at Budd
Ferry, on the lower Potomac. AS usual,
The put up at the National Hotel, and was
Frequently seen on Pennsylvania avenue
lin company with friends and casual ac-
gquaintances. On Friday morning he visi-
/ ted Ford's theatre, and, in conversation at
tthe box Office, learned that the President
and Gen. Grant would attend the thea
tire in the evening. This information did
not appear to produce any effect on him.
lie soon after went away, and during the
AFTERNOON visited stable near the hotel
eand hired horse to which the proprietor
attached great value, between 6 and 7
clock. He was seen on Pennsylvania
avenue, and those who knew him noticed
be appeared rather distracted and agitated.
About nine o'clock he stopped at the ho-
Etel and received two cards which had been
left there for him. After reading the
names on the cards be asked the clerk for
some note paper, and proceeded to write
sat the Office. His distracted manner was
here noticed by the clerk. He appeared
! to have been drinking, and before com
'mencing the letter asked the clerk whal
month and year it ives. The clerk re-
marked Familiarity; well, Booth, have
Fyou made thousand dollars to day Pr
Booth replied, mo, bu, l have worked
hard enough for it," Soon after he left
Ithe hotel and was not seen there AFTER
1 ward. About ten o'clock, or perhaps
some minutes after, the exact time was not
rpoticed, Booth rode down an alley lead
ling from F street to the rear of the thea
tire, and dismountiDg, called for the stage
carpenter, and requested him to hold
the horse. The carpenter was about to
take the bride over the horses head, but
Bouth objected, requesting him to leave
sthe bride on the animals neck and hold
him by the bit. Booth then entered by
the stage door, and remained few mo
.ments. On coming out be left the door
open, but this was not particular.
Fly Noticed at the time. He then passed
|around to the front of the theatre, and en-
tered, as he was in the habit of goins
sthere almost nightly, wh,n in the city -
His presence did not attract unusual at,
'tention from the attaches of the building
Passing up stairs he was next seen on the
same side Of the tier with the box in which
Ethe President was sitting. An unusually
large audience was present, expecting to
ssee the President aud General Grant, aud
the passage way between the sofas and The
/ wall of the building was crowded with per.
sons who could not obtain seats. Some
sof the ushers noticed Booth edging his
way through the crowd, and remarked that
be was acting strangely in pushing SO close
ito the Presidents box but, as be enjoyed
Jail the privileges of regular attacbee of
the theatre, he was allowed to proceed
There are two boxes on the right hand
side Of the audience, with a door leading
TO each. A partition divides these boxes,
land whenever the President visited the
theatre this partition was removed. The
door of the box next the stage is parable
with the side scenes. The other stands at
an angle with the first
When the deed was committed the
President was sitting in the box nearest
the audience, with his back toward the
|angel formed by the wall and stage side
LOT the other box. Mrs Lincoln was sit
ting in the box next the stage. Miss
Harris was in the same box with Mrs.
Lincoln, and Major Rathbun was sitting
on a sofa near the door. A sentinel was
stationed in the passage between the por-
Etion OF the tier set apart for the public and
Ftbe door leading to the Presidents box
His duty was to prevent any one ap.
preaching the President. When Booth
approached be was stopped by the senti-
incl and told that be could not ENTER
Booth then told the sentinel that be must
see the President on important business,
Fand gave the name of some distinguished
man whose name was familiar to the
guard. His gentlemanly and gentee ap-
EpearaDce deceived the sentinel, who al
Flowed him to pass to the Presidents box.
Entering quickly by the open door the as
sassin raised his pistol in an instant, and
lodged the fatal bullet in the Presidents
brain. 1t is said that he then fred ST.
Econd shot, which passed through the door
behind tue President, but this is not posi-.
lively known. He then dropped the pis-
etol and sprang to the front Of the box
EMajor Rathbun attempted to intercep.
him, aud, while springing forward for that
purpose, received stab in the arm from
4 i. II. l.. Al