Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-07-09
The Shooting of Lincoln.

Inc smoothing OF Lincoln.
A man whose name demands place
in the history of the rebellion arrived
from San Francisco few days ago.
His name is William Withers, Jr. He
is musician by profession, and has
Just finished al engagement as leader
OF the orchestra at the California Thea.
ter. Mr.. Withers is forty-three years
old, and native OF West Point, where
he studied music under his father, who
for many years was musician in the
government band, and subsequently
was member of bod worth's band in
this city until his health failed. The
old gentleman is now living at Rye
Beach. where he attends the hotel boats
and alnuses himself occasionally by
fishing, MIR. Withers, Jr., is at present
paying a visit TO his father, and it was
there that q reporter of the Telegram
found him and listened to very inter
estlhg story in connection with the as
sasslnation OF President Lincoln. at
Ford's Theater. Washington. 1t is a
fact familiar, perhaps, to a very few
that MIR. Withers. Jr., was the leader of
the orchestra of that theater on the
night OF the assassination. April IA,
1860. and prevented frightfui panic.
although he was at the time uncon-
scious OF the important service he had
rendered the audience. The story of
MIR. Wlthers' experiences of that night
and the part he toOk in the proceedings
have never been fully told. In the
most reliable histories of the war cover
ing the assassination, such as Raw
mono's, brakes and Greeley's. Mr..
Wlthers' name is not mentioned, and it
has been through his modesty and diff.
hdence that the story is unrecorded.
Every reader of the Telegram, old or
young, is familiar with the fact that the
President was shot at about a quarter
past ten o'clock, by John Wilkes Booth,
the actor, while sitting in a private box
witnessing performance of "Our
American Cousin" 1t is also we'll re.
membercd that the day had been cele-
brated all over the country on account
OF the news flashed far and near that
Lee had surrendered, and thus virtually
ended the war of the Rebellion. 20
Cabinet had held meeting t.... day.
ana at the close Of the session. which
mad been remarkably harmonious. the
PRESIDENT invited any member of his
Cablnet who felt so inclined to accom-
pany him to the theater in honor of the
events OF the previous twenty.four
hours; but it seems that none accepted
the Invitation. The President. Mrs.
Lincoln, their son, q pupil Of Mr..
Wlthers, Major II. r. Rathbone, Sena-
tor harris and his daughter, Miss Har-
rls, 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 Ialtavulo, suggested to Mr..
Mlthers that the orchestra flag, which
was the property of the Italian. be
used to decorate the front of the box,
ana 1t was accordingly raised. Mr.. II.
+. Philips also composed a song for
the occasion and handed it to Mr..
Wlthers to set music to it. Mr.. With.
ers composed martial air, rehearsed
the ausic with Miss Laura Keene, the
Leading lady, the understanding being
tnat Inc song was to be sung at the
close OF the second act by Miss Keene.
Inc company Joining in the cherss.
Inc words OF this song have never been
printed. They are as follows, copy
rom an old scrap-book, written by MIR.
Fhl!llps and now in Mr.. Withers' DOS.
session, having been made for this Dur
pose. 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 its soil.
Cneered on by leaders whom they love,
They We fought with heart and hand
10 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
lave fought, have bled and died,
They're natures noblest handiwork,
NO KING 80 proud as they
dlo heip the heroes of our land
And cheer them Oh their way!
Honor to our soldiers,
1helr victories ne'er shall cease
Until our fees surrender,
And bless our land with peace.
Our navy, too shall have its fame,
Our flag shall ne'er be furled
Until our foes ut home-abroaC-
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