The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-01-28
A HISTORICAL PISTOL
The Weapon With Which wilkes Booth
Slew Lincoln.
rEorf Uovpa Ca,eg,aI

The Weapon with Which wnA.s Booth
Slew Lincoln.
Fort Wayne Sentinel
A Sentinel reporter was this morning
shown an interesting relic, it being nothing
less than the pistol which fired The fatal shot
that lost to the United States a president.
The pistol was once the property of J..
Wilkes Booth, and is the same one which he
used to essassinate Abraham Lincoln on the
night OF April II, 1865, at FOrd's ~tasater,
Washington. 1t ia now in the possession of
Charles y. Wing, the advance agent of
Stevens unknown" combination, and was
presented TO him by J. T. Ford, the great
theatrical manager, IN the eve of his
(Wing's) departure for Europe in May, 1915.
1t came into his possession IN this wise:
Booth had IN his possession al the time OF
the murder W. pistols, exsct counterpayts,
one of which was dropped in Lincoln's box
at the tine Of the shooting, and was there
found, having never been used. The pistol
which fired the shot Booth kept in his hand
until he jumped from the box down TO toe
stage, where he dropped II also. The pistol
was sfterward found by one of the stage
hands, and in the excitement was thrown
into a water bait standing on the stage.
Some time afterward, when Mr.. Ford moved
his property" frem the theater, the pistol
was found and given to Mr.. Ford who a.
ways preserved IL as a memento of that great
tragedy until, az above stated, being an In
innate friend of 1 haries u. Wing, and that
gentleman being about to leave the country
he presented il to him.
The other pistol, the mate to this one
which was found in the box, is now on ex,
hibItlon at the National Medical Museum at
Washington, which now occupies the Same
building That was used AS a theater where
Lincoln was killed
The pistol is an old fashioned English Der
niger, the whole length of which is not over
ioar inches. 1t is a mu5zle-loeder, and the
barrel is not owe. an inch and a half in
length and has seven deep rifles. Ii is
highly finished, the mounting being genu-
inc silver, and the lock and stock finely en-
graved. In rut 8 most innocent looking
weapon, but as IS welEkRown, a most pow
erful instrument. Mr.. Wing has been
offered 800 for il, bat says he would not
part with il under any consideration.
Mr.. Wing also related another curious CO.
incidence connected with the assassination
Of Lincoln,
Msnsger Ford had for n long time been
trying to induce Edwin Booth, the eminent
tragedian, AMI e-brotAe1 10 J. Wilkes Booth.
to play in the Southern circuit" The actor
inally consented, and was billed to play his
opening engagement at what is known as the
Grand Opera House, IN Baltimore. NSr.
FOrd, wishing 10 see that everything was IN
readiness for his reception, repaired to
Booths dressing-rooH2 IN the afternoon
before his first appearance. While looking
around he thought the door of the dressing
room had a sort of alook of familiarity about
it, and, upon inspection. found il to be the
door TO the private box used by President
Lincoln on that fatal night. He recognized
it by the hole which had been cut IN the
I door during the afternoon previous TO the
assassination, which was calculated to give
( the assassin a view of the interior OF the boz
and located the occupants before entering it.
This door had been sold with a quantity o.
other material when the old Ford's National
! theater was remodeled. Mr.. Ford lost M
time in having the door removed and
another one substituted, as he welfknew,tAC
| sensitive nature OF the tragedian. and knew
il he discovered the door he would ct onat
have thrown up his engagement and ~refussC
TO play In that house.