The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-05-28
THE SHOOTING OF. hENo0hNs !
Some Interesting Facts Hitherto Un-
recorded
[From the New York Herald. ]

From the New YOrk Ecfdlu.l
A man whose name demands a place
in the historyof the Rebellion arrived
from San Francisco few days ago. His
name is William Withers, Jr He is 9
musician by profession, and has just fin.
ished an engagement as leader of the
orchestra at the California Theater. Mr.
Withers is 43 years old and native Of
West Point, where he studied music I'M
der his father, who for many years was a
musician in the Government band, and
subsequently was a member of bod
worths band, in this city, until his health
failed. The old gentleman is now living
at Rye Beach, where he attends the
hotel boats and amuses himself occa-
sionally by fishing. Mr.. Withers, Jr.,
is at present paying visit to his father,
and it was there that a reporter OF the
Herald found him and listened to very
interesting story in connection with the
assassination of President Lincoln at
Ford's Theater, Washington. 1t is fact
familiar perhaps to a very few that Mr..
Withers, Jr., was the leader Of
the orchestra at that theater on
the night of the assassination
April IA, 1866, and prevented frightful
panic, although he was at that time I'M
conscious of the important service he
had rendered the audience. The story
OF Mr.. Withers' experience of that night,
and the part he took in the proceedings,
have never been told In the most re-
liable histories of the war covering the as
sassination, such as Raymond's, brakes,
and Greeley's, Mr.. Withers' name is
not mentioned, and it has been through
his modesty and diffidence that the
story is unrecorded. Every reader of
the Herald, old or young, is familiar
with the fact that the President was shot
at about quarter past 10 o'clock, by
John Wilkes Booth, the actor, while sit
ting in private box witnessing per-
Torrance of "Our American Cousin" It
is also we'll remembered that the day had
been celebrated all over the country on
account of the news flashed far and near
that Lee had surrendered, and thus Writ
ually ended the war of the Rebellion.
The Cabinet had held meeting that
day. and at the close of the session,
which had been remarkably harmonious,
the President invited any member Of his
Cabinet who felt so inclined to accOmpa-
NY him to the theater in honor of the
events of the previous twenty-four hours,
but it seems that none accepted the invi-
tation The President, Mrs. Lincoln,
their son, a pupil of Mr. Withers, Maj.
Ell. r. Rathbone, Senator Harris and his
daughter, Miss Harris, made up the
party. They occupied an upper box.
When the orchestra heard that the Pres
ident was to be there one of the must
clans, an italian named Taltavullo, sug-
gested to Mr.. Withers that the orchestra
flag, which was the property of the Ital-
ian, be used to decorate the front OF the
box, and it was accordingly raised. Mr..
I'll. p. Phillips also composed a song for
the occasion and handed it to Mr. With
ers to set music oit Mr.. Withers COM
posed a martial air, rehearsed the music
with Miss Laura Keene, the leading lady,
the understanding being that the song
was to be sung at the close of the second
act by Miss Keene, the company joining
in the chorus. The words of the song
have never been printed. They are as
follows, copy from an old scrap-book,
written by Mr.. Phillips, and now in Mr..
Withers' possession, having been made
for this purpose. The song is entitled
HONOR TO OUR SOLDIERS.
Honor to our soldiers,
Who for their country toll
And fight the Union to preserve,
With blood defend it's soil.
Cheered on by leaders whom they love-
They've fought with heart and hand
To make rebellion lose its sway
In this our native land.
CHoRUs-Repeat first four lines.
Honor to our soldiers
The nations greatest pride,
Who meath the starry banners folds
Have fought have bled and died.
They're natures nObest handiwork,
No King so proud as they
God help the heroes of our land
And cheer them on their way
Honor to our soldiers,
Their victories meier shall cease
Until our foes surrender
And bless our land with peace.
Our navy, too shall have its fame,
Our flag shall meier be furled
Until our foes at home-abroad-
Shall feel we dare the world
Mr.. Withers had understood that this
song should be sung at the close Of the
second act, but when the curtain was
rung down he saw that the programme
had been changed without consulting
him. His story of what followed is this :
AS soon as the play had proceeded he
went upon the stage, and, not seeing the
stage manager, went to the prOmpter's
desk at the wing, where Mr.. J. B.
Wright, the prompter, was on duty
The governor, " or gas apparatus, was
in close proximity to Mr.. Wrights desk.
The cover OF this governor was open,
and Edward Spangler, assistant stage
carpenter, and one Of the conspirators,
was standing beside it. Mr.. Withers
said, "Spangler, step away a moment :;
want to speak to Mr. Wright" Spang-
Ter did not move. An angry frown over
spread his face, and Mr.. Withers per-
emptorily ordered him to go to his posi-
ton as scene-shifter. He started away,
muttering something which Mr.. Withers
did not hear, and to which he paid no
attention at the time He inquired of
Mr.. Wright why the song had not been
sung, and Wright said that the pro-
gramme had been changed so as to have
fbn niece brOuoht in AFT the close Of +bo