Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-04-15
Third EDITION.
O'CLOCK p M.
THE ASsASSINAT TON OF PRESI-
DENT LINCOLN.
4 O'CLOCK r. M.

VEN 6tNOVEN.
Elsewhere will be found various particulars
OF the shocking event which has so appalled,
the nation. The writer Of this, who was
present at Ford's at the time OF the occurrence,
gives the following as what passed under his
eye:
While the play OF the american Cousin was
in progress, and in a part Of the I'd act, where
the scene is set in the front part Of the stage,
and only single performer was on, the
sharp report Of pistol was heard In the
direction OF the stage, to the right of the
audience, and from its elevation appeared to
come from the range OF the theatrical ward
robe room. or carpenters shop. in the same
story, and therefore attracted no particular at
: renton until person was seen to emergeff from
the State stage box, occupied by the President
who stepped upon that portion OF the balcony
rail covered by the blue portion OF the
American flag, with which the box
front was draped. On mounting to the
front OF the box he raised his right hand, -four
ishing dagger in theatrical style, and in the
same style uttering the words, " SIC semper
tyrannis I" At the same time he sprang to the
stage, and on striking it seemed q little stag
gered by the conclusion, but rising almost in.
prompt side, first entrance, and disappeared
behind the scenes.
The suddenness OF the affair, and the fact
that no outcry was made for the moment from
the Presidents box, caused a feeling Of be-
wilderment on the part Of the audience and Of
misapprehension as to the nature OF the oc-
currence. which, together with the fact that
he stage in front OF the secene was compare
lively unoccupied, gave the assassin some
| start Of his pursuers which he duly improved
The piercing screams'of Mrs. Lincoln fol.
| lowing, gave the awful assurance that terri
| bic tragedy had been enacted, and immediate.
| IL the cry was raised that the President had
been shot The scene which followed is beyond
the power OF adequate description. The en-
tire drama It's persona rushed to the front of the
| stage Almost the entire audience rushed In
| the same direction, while numbers swarmed
up the box columns and into the box to render
assistance or for motives OF curiosity.
Shouts OF execration against the assassin
showed what would be his speedy doom If
caught. Above all the dim was heard the
| voice of Miss Laura Keene. In those clearly
| enunciated tones peculiar to her, giving direc.
lions to facilitate the pursuit Of the assassin,
| and again to clear the vicinity OF the dying
| President to give him air.
Some gentleman leaned out OF the box and
asked for stimulants for thesufferer-ahada any
one flask OF brandy" Then there were calls
| to clear the theater and the audience in com.
| pliance serged first towards the door and TT en-
| IN a new passion of grief, horror and terrible,
white.faced wrath, back towards the stage.
| The lights were alternately dimmed to cause
the crowd to vacate, and raised again to give
| opportunity for Superintendent Richards and
| his officers to make the requisite examination
| of the premises necessary to the ends Of JUS
| uce; the body Of the dying President having
| been meantime taken across the street, together
! with the almost equally insensate form of the
/ grief. convulsed wife.
On the box floor was found a pistol of the
Derringer stamp, with barrel OF larger caliber
than usual, and with q somewha, clumsy bar
rel A white handled pocket knife was alss
picked up, but this probably was one dropped
by some one Of the inmates of the box or OF
those who rendered aid to the sufferer.
THE FATAL SHOT.
There are two theories as to the point from
which the fatal shot was ared. The President
in the upper box on the right of the audience
was sitting in q rocking chair. With Mrs. Lin.
coin opposite, and Major Rathburn sitting be-.
tween them slightly to The rear. 1t is alleged
by some that Booth, ,efore committing the act
went to the opposite side of the thsater either
in the dress circle or on the lower floor and
took the relative positions of the parties, after
which he went to the box and fred through
the door, opening it, and afterwards run
,;nr botuyoan he preStdanf and tho