Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-04-27

The Assassination-A Graphic De-
scription of the Tragedy-The Fa-
tai Shot, and Escape of the Mur-
derer.
We have already given quite lengthy account
of the murder of President Lincoln; but as the
public read eyery particular with avilhy, we pre-
sent the following very circumstantial and graphic
narraiiv c from one OF the New York papers:
WASHINGTON, April Is, 1865.
THE SCENE AT THE THEATER.
At 5 O'Clock the same evening, President Lincoln
and Speaker Colfax together in a private room
at the White House, pleasantly conversing Gen
eral Grant with whom the President had engaged
to attend Ford's Thea,er that evening, had left
with has wife Tor Burlington, New Jersey, in the 8
O'Clock train. After this departure, Mr.. Lincoln
rather reluctantly determined to keep s part of
the engagement, rather than to disappont his
friends and the audience. Mrs. Lincoln entering
the room and turning to Mr. Colfax, said. in a
half laughing. half serious way, "Well, Mr.. Lin
con are you going to the theater with me or mott"
81 suppose i shall have to 60, Coliax," said the
President, and the Speaker took his leave in com
pany with Major Rathbone, of the Provost Mar
shall Generals Office, who escorted Miss Harris.
daughter of Senator Harris. of New York Mr.
allu LlicOlll, rc3cneu fOruS Iheatcr az
twenty minutes before nine o'clock
The house filed in every part with a large
and brilliantly at;red audience. As the presidcn
tial party assembled the stairs, and passed behind
the dress circle 20 the entrance of the private box
reserved Tor them. the whole assemblace having in
mind the recent Union victories, arose, checred,
waving hats and haDdkerchiefs, and mamifcsting
every other accustomed sign of enthusiasm The
President, the last 10 enter the box, turred before
Qginp and how pl "A courtoOn- oci-nouri.,l,,r,o
OF his reception, At the moment of the Presi
dents arrival, Mr.. Hawks one of the actors, per-
forming the we'll known character of DandreGTg
hsd exclaimed This reminds me of story, as
Mr.. Lincoln SAYS" The audience forced him.
after the interruption to tell the story over again
1t evidently pleased Mr.. Lincoln, who turned
laughingly TO his wife, and made a remark which
WAS not overheard.
TIE BOX.
The box in which the Presidet sat consisted OF
two boxes turned into one as on all occasions when
a State party visited the theatcr. The box was on
level with The dress circle about twelve feet
above the stage. There were two entras ces-the
door nearest the wall having been closed and
locked; the door nearest the balustrade Of the
dress circle and at right angles with it, being open
and LETT open after the visitors had entered. The
interior was carpeted lined with crimson paper
and furnished with sofa covered with crimson
velvet, three arm chairs similarly covered, and
six cane-bOttOmed chairs. Festoons OF flags hung
before the front of the box against background OF
Lace.
THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE FARTY.
President Lincoln took one of the arm chairs
and seated himself in the front of the box in the
angle nearest the audience, where, partially
screened from observation, he had the best view of
what was trlnspirng on the stage. Mrs. Lincoln
sat next him, and Miss Harris in tho opposite an
gle, nearest the stage. Major Rathbone sat lust
behind Mrs. Lincoln and Mis-. Harris. These iour
were the only persons in the box.
Tie PLAY.
The play proceeded. although "Our American
Cousin" without Mr.. Sothern has, since that gen
teman's departure from this country, been Justly
esteemed very dull affiir. The audience at
Ford's, including Mrs. Lincoln, seemed TO enjoy il
very MUCK. The worthy wife of the President
leaned forward, her hand upon her husband knee
watching every scene in the drama with amused
attention. Even across the Presidents face at in
tervals, swept smile, robbing it of its aabtual
sadness.
THE AssAssry's PRELIMISARIEs TO FLIGHT
About the beginning of the second act. tho
mare, standing in the stable in the rear of the the
alter, was disturbed in the midst of her meal by the
entrance OF the young man who had Quilted her in
the afternoon. 1t is presumed that she was sad :
died and bridled Tith exquisite care.
Having completed these preparltons. Booth en-
tered the theatcr by the stage door; summoned one
of the scene shiiters, Mr.. John Spangler. emerged
through the same door with that individual, leaving
the door open, and left the mare in his hands to be
held until he (Booth) should return. Booth who
who was evea more fashionably and richly dressed
than usual, walked thence around to the front OF
the theater and went in. Ascending to tie dress
circle he stood for little time gazing around upon
the audience and occasionally bpon the stage in his
usual graceful manner. He was subsequently, OBJ
served by Mr. Ford, the proprietor Of the thcater.
10 DC slowly elbowing his way through the crowd
that packed the of the dress circle toward the
right side, at the extremity of which was the box
where Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln and their comnanions
were seated. Mr.. Ford casually noticed this as
slightly extraordinary symptom of interest on TIE
part OF an actor familiar with the routine of the
thsater and the play.
ArrsoACu OF TIE CRISIS.
The curtain had arisen on the third act: Mrs.
Mountchessin9ton and Asa Trenchard were exchaDg-
ing vivacious stupidities, when young man, so
precisely resembling the one described as ].
Wilkes Booth, that he is asserted to be the same,
appeared before the open door of the Presidents
box, and prepared to enter.
THE ASSASSIN AT THE Bcx DOOR
The servant who attended Mr.. Lincoln said DO
litely, This is the Presidents box sir, and no one
- permitted 10 enter 81 am SENATOR re-
sponded the person, "Mr. Lincoln has sent for
me-" The attendant gave way, and the Young
man pas sed into the box.
IN THE BOX.
As he appeared at the door, taking quick. COM
prehensire glance at the interior, Major Ratbbone
arose. "Are you aware, sir,' he said courteonsly
upon whom you are intruding7 This is the Pres.
ldent's box, aud no one is admitted" The intru-
der answered no: a word. Fastening his eyes up |
on Mr. Lincoln. who had half turned his head to
ascertain the cause Of the disturbance, he stcpped
quickly back without the door.
THE SHOT.
Drawing Deringer pistol, and taking, by means
OF some almost miraculous calculation, a deadly
aim, he fred through the closed door, on his robt
the ball passing through the door, and entering the
brain of the President
THE AssAssIN's FLIGHT.
The movements Of the assassin were from hence
orth quick as the lightning. Springing into the
'ox through the door Of which he had lust retreat
I'll, he dropped his pistol on the floor, and. drawno
! bowle-kniie, struck Major Rathbone. who opposed
him, ripping through his coat from the shoulder
lown, and inflicting severe flesh wound in his
'rm. He leaped then upon the velvet-colorcd
,alustrade at the front Of the box between Mrs
Lincoln and Miss Harris, and, parting with both
lands the flags that dropped on either side.
lropped to the stage beneath. Arising and turn.
ne full upon the audience, with the knife in his
light hand above his head, he shouted, "Sic sempcr