The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-05-20
THE SHOOTING OF LINCOLN.

A man whose name demands place in
the history CT the rebellion arrived from
San Francisco few days ago. His name
Is William Withers, Jr He is a musician
hy profession, and has just finished an
Engagement as leader of the orchestra at
| lie California Theatre. 1t is fact FAM
liar perhaps to a very few that Mr.. With
ers, Jr., was the leader of the orchestra
OF that theatre on the night of the assass-
iaation, April II, 1865, and prevented a
f-ightful panic, although he was at the
! time unconscious of the important service
he had rendered the audience. The story
of Mr.. Withers' experiences of that night
aud the part he took in the proceedings
| have never been fully told. 1t is well
remembered that the day had been cele-
p,ated all over the country on account of
the news flashed far and near that Lee
had surrendered, and thus virtually end
ed 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 accompany him to the
theatre in honor of the events of the
previous twenty-four hours; but it seems
that none accepted the invititation. The
| President, Mrs. Lincoln, their son, q
pupil of Mr.. Withers; Major 81. r.
Rathbone, Senator Harris and his daugh-
! ter, Miss Harris, made up the party
They occupied an upper box. When
| the orchestra heard that the President
was to be there one of the musicians, an
italian named Taltavullo, suggested to
| Mr.. Withers that the orchestra flag,
| which was the property of the italian, be
usad to decorate the front of the box,
and it was accordingly raised. Mr.. H.
Phillips also composed song for the
! occasion and handed it to Mr.. Withers
to set music to it. Mr.. Withers compos-
ed 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 Laura Keene, the company
joining in the chorus. 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
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,
weat TO the prompter's desk at the wing,
NH ~ ur 49,, - piULnpler,
was on duty. The governor" or gas
apparatus, was in close proximity to Mr..
Wright's desk. The cover of this COVER
nor was open, and Edward Spangler,
assistant stage carpenter, and one of the
conspirators, was standing beside it.
Mr.. Withers said, "Spanglcr, step away
a moment, want to speak to Mr. Wright.
Spangler did not move. An anger frown
overspread 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 program
me had been changed so as to have the
piece brought in at the close of the per-
formance. $50 into the orchestra just
before the finish, " said Mr.. Wright, "and
get your instruments in tune, and We will
make the song the finale" Mr.. Withers
said the effect would be lost by this pro-
ceeding, and, turning down the cover of
the governor, he partly sat down upon
it, and suggested that the audience at
the finish would begin to move and spoil
the piece, winding up the matter by tell
ing Mr.. Wright that, if produced at all,
the song lust be sung during the play.
Just then the whistle blew for change of
scene aud Spangler had to attend to the
shifting. Mr.. Withers then started down
past the wings to stairway leading under
the stage. Just as he was in the act of
stepping down the first step he heard a
pistol shot. Surprised ut the report,
knowing that there was no shooting IN
the play, he stopped and looked toward
tlo {haf
dashed into the passageway with dag
ger in his hand. Withers was standing
directly in line with the stage door or
private entrance. His first thought was
that Booth was looking for the man who
had fred the shot; but the next instant
| the mailman was upon him thrusting at
him with the dagger. The point of the
weapon cut two holes in the coat worn bv
| the musician, one on the back of the neck
and the other on the right shoulder.
going through all the clothing and thro'
the skin. In the struggle Mr.. Withers
was knocked down and badly bruised.
and Booth escaped through the private
door. Before Mr.. Withers could get
upon his feet Harry Hawke, the actor,
came rushing through the passageway
after Booth, and fell over tie PROSTATE
form OF Mr.. Withers. 1t was then for
the first time that the musician learned
what had happened. He still has the
coat he wore on that memorable occasion.
1t is az evening dress coat of blue black
broadcloth. He exhibited it to the re-
porter, put it on aid described how Booth
attacked him and the exact position he
was in when the thrusts were made