River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-06-03
THE SHOOTING OF LINCOLN.
The Plot to Turn Off the Gas After
Booth Fired-Unpubiished Incidents.
New York Heral


A man, whose name demands place
in the history of the rebellion. arrived
from San Francisco a few days ago.
His name is William Withers, Jr. He
is musician by profession, and has
just finished an engagement as leader
of the orchestra at the Cab 'ornia the
alter. 1t is q fact familiar perhaps
to very few that Mr.. Withgs, Jr., was
the leader of the orchestra of the Ma
tional theater, Washington, on the
NIGHT of the assassination, April II,
1865, and prevented frightful panic,
although he was at the time unconsci-
Gus of the important service he had
rendered the audience. Tie story of
Mr.. Whithers' experience OF that night
and the part he took in the proceedings
has never been fully told.
The cabinet had held meeting that
day, and at the close of The session,
which had been remarkable harmon
ious, the president invited any member
of the cabinet who felt so inclined to
accompany him in honor oil the events
of the previous twenty -four hours; but
it seems that none accepted the invita-
ton. The president. Mrs. Lincoln.
their son, pupil of Mr.. Withers, Maj.
H. r. Rathbone, Senator Harris and
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 mu-
sicians, an Italian named Taltavullo,
suggested to Mr.. Withers that the or
chestra flag, which was the property of
the Italian, be used to decorate the
front of the box, and it was accordingly
raised. Mr.. HI. P. Phillips also COM
posed q song for the occasion, and hand
ed it to Mr.. Withers to set music to it,
Mr.. Withers composed a martial air,
rehearsed the music with Miss Laura
Keene, the leading lady, the under
standing being tlat the song was to be
sung at the end of the second act by
Miss Keene, the company joining in the
chorus.
Mr.. Withers had understood that this
song shout be sung at the close of the
second act, but when the curtain was
rung 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 tine prompt
er'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.. Wright's desk.
The cover of this governor wus open,
and Edward Spangler, assistant stage
carpenter, and one of the conspirators
was standing beside it. Mr.. Withers
said; "Spangler step away moment,
| want to speak to Mr.. Wright" Spang-
Ter did not move. An angry frown
overspread his face, and Mr.. Withers
peremptorily ordered him to go to his
position 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 in
quired of Mr.. Wright why the song had
not been sung, and Mr.. Wright said
that the programme had been changed
so as to have the piece brought in at
the close Of the performance. go in
to the orchestra just before the finish"
said Mr.. Wright, land get your instru-
ments in tune, and we will make the
song the final" Mr.. Withers said the
effect would be lost by this proceeding,
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 telling Mr.. Wright, that if produced
at all, the song must be produced DUR
ing the play. Just then the whistle
blew for change of scene, and Spauld-
ing had 10 attend to the shifting. Mr..
WIthers then started down past the
wings to a stairway leading under the
stage. Just as he was in the act of
stepping down the first step he heard q
pistol shot. Surprised at the report,
knowing that there was no shooting in
the play, he stopped and looked to-
ward the proscenium.
At that instant Booth dashed into the
passageway with dagger in his hand.
Withers was standing directly in the
line with the stage door or private en-
trance. His first thought was that
Booth was looking for the man who
fired the shot; but the next instant the
madnaan was upon him, thrusting at