The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-04-20
Details of the Great Calamity.
The Last Hours of &brahans Rliu


details OIL oV0ulS pIeCtuluS In6 dSSaSSlndLlOIlg
of the President and his last hours. Abouts
half past seven p. IN. Hon. Geo. AshmunH
called at the White House aud was usher-E
led into the parlor where Schuyler Cofax wasE
seated waiting for short interview with
the President on business which had bear /
ing upon his proposed overland trip. A tews
moments elapsed when President Lincoins
entered the room and a short conversation
took place, touching upon various matters. J
The President was in a happy and jovialE
frame of mind. Mr.. Ashman desiring to-
see him on special business, and there being
|oo time to attend to it then, the PresidentS
took out card aud placing it on his knees
wrote as follows:
"Allow Mr.. Ashmun and friend to come
Ito me at a, m. tomorrow 4. LINCOLN.
April IA, 1866. --
These were the last words that hepenned.
lit was the last time that he signed his nameI
Ito any order, document or message. MR.
i lincoln finally stated that he, must go toE
4 the theater and warmly pressed Speaker
sColfax aud Mr.. Ashmun to accompany hims
Rbut they excused themselves on the scoreE
Sof previous engagements.
At about eight p. m. Mr.. and Mrs. LINZ
I oIn started for the carriage, and the latter
taking the arm of Mr. Ashmun and the
President and Mr.. Colfax walking together.
4 AS soon as the President and Mrs. Lincoln'
Nwere seated in the carriage the latter gaveI
BORDERS to the coachman to drive round to-
SENATOR Harris residence for Mrs. Harris!
AAs the carriage rolled away they said,
s'Good by Good by, ''and Messrs Ashmun,
sand Colfax and the carriage had in al
9moment disappeared from the ground in
Afront of the White House A few moments
Nlater,a party Of four persons-the President
Mand Mrs. Lincoln, Miss Harris and Mr.. Rath-
Sbone, of Albany step son of senator Harris
:Sarrived at the Theater, aud entered the front
Mleft hand, upper private box. A moment
Abefore the attack was made, the President
twas leaning forward in his accustomed way
This eyes bent upon the stage.and enjoying
Ia hearty laugh, n -# sl. e3 a. /.
q Miss Harris, who was i'll the box with the
EAPresident, makes the following statement:
e 'About an hour before the commission of
Mthe deed, the assassin came to the door of
1.-THE box and looked in to take survey Of
1.-THE position of its occupants. The circum.
3stance attracted no particular attention at
%the time. Upon his entering the box again
q Major Rathbone rose and asked the intruder
This business He rushed past the Major
EAwithout making reply, and placing the PTS
ENtol close to the back of the Presidents head
#actually in contact withit fired, and instant
3ly sprang upon the cushion baIuster of the
Abox, when he made backward plunge
with his knife aimed at the face or breast
Aof Mr.. Lincoln. Major Rathbone, springing
Mforward to protect the President, received a
S stab in his arm. The murderer then limp
led upon the stage and effected his escape
a The rapidity with hich all was committe
Twas astounding. Mrs. Lincoln saw the form
@of the person go down from the box, and
Mthought Mr.. Lincoln had fallen out and
Nlooked to see if she conld see him on the
AHoor, and barely saw the culprit jump upon
Mthe stage When all was over she turned
Eher eyes to the box and saw Mr. Lincon's
head had dropped forward upon his breast,
land at once realized what had TRANSFERRED
g The murder of the President was at once
zannounced at Growers Theater Little Tad
q Lincoln was in attendance there, and the
\ moment he heard the statement he seemed
ITO go almost crazy, shrieked and sobbed in
Eheart rending manner. The poor boy was
Ntaken to the White House, and soon quieted.
{
!sstill alive. From the moment the;President
#Was shot up to the time of his death he was
G insensible, and exhibited no signs of pain,
Recognizing no person, and, in fact believe
Ibid not open his eyes, Blood troubled his
breathing, often making it exceedingly diff
cult. He was watched with tender care, and
jail that could be done was done for him.
q Vice-President johnson visited the Presi-
Adent during the night, but remained only
aabout an hour. In fact many of those who
chad rushed to assist is taking care of the
aPreSident, found that their presence imped-
led rather then gave assistance, and therefore
left. Among these were many members of
SCongress and Western men. The number
%present was reduced to but few. Before be
Y breathed his last, about o'clock this morn
ling, reached the house where the President
Clay IN his dying agonies. He was lying up
ION his bed apparently breathing with
Ngreat difficulty. He was entirely uncon-
|sscious as he had been since his assassina-
ton, 10
4 Mrs. Lincoln was under great excitement
Aaad agony, wringing her hands and exclam !
zlng ''why did he not shoot me instead of
smy husband. have tried to be SO careful
Eof him, fearing something would happen, and
7 his life seems to be more precious now thanI
ever, 1 must go with him." and other ex !
1 pressions of like character. She was con-
sstantly going back and forth to theI
a5edside of the President, exclaining in great!
Sagony chow can it be sop
The scene was heartrending and it is i'm
possible to portray in its living light, Capt.
Lincoln bears himself with great firmness
land constantly endeavored to assuage theS
grief of his mother by telling her to put herb
trust in God and all would be we'll Occa-s
ssionally being entirely overcome he WOULD
retire into the hall and give vent to the
most heartrending lamentations. He WOULD
srecoyer himself and return to his mother
and with remarkable self possession, try tog
cheer her broken spirits and tighten herH
load Of sorrow. His conduct was a mostH
remarkable exhibition of caimness in theJ
lmost trying hour that | have ever seeu.
About a quarter of an hour before then
President died his breathing became verys
difficult and in many instances seemed to d
have entirely closed SO that the surgeons y
who were attending him supposed him.
dead. lie would breathe with as great diffi-4
Guilty as to be heard in almost every partS
of the house. Mrs Lincoln took her lastH
leave of him about twenty minutes beforeH
he expired and was sitting in an adjoining 4
room when it announced to her that he wases
dead; and when the announcement was#
made she exclaimed, ooh why. did you not b
tell me he was dying" The surgeons andY
members Of the Cabinet, Senator Sumner. 81
Capt. Robert Lincoln, Gen. Todd, Mr. Field
and Mr.. Andrews were standing at his beda