Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-07-08
PRESIDENT LINCOLN's DEATH.
Vivid Description by a Surgeon who
Saw Him Shot and Watched
Him Die.

AAAA 0NNs
DR.. Charles A. Leale, of Now York
City, attended President Lincoln from
the time he was shot by Booth until
he died. DR.. Leale was a surgeon in
the regular army, and was stationed at
as the executive officer OF
the Army Square Hospital. DR.,
Leale has given the following account
of the events on the night of April
IA, 1865, which is very interesting at
this time:
II was at Ford's Theater, seated
within a few feet Of the President S
box, which was draped in flags, the
Presidential party being expected 70
appear in the theater, as the public
desired to see the President after peace
had been declared. The play was
Our American Cousin, and Laura
Keene was the star. The theater was
crowded. The play had begun, and
suddenly there was a lull in the per-
Torrance. Looking around | saw the
President, Mrs Lincoln, Miss Harris.
a daughter of Senator, Harris, and
Major Rathbourne entering. In
recognition OF their entry the play
had ceased for a moment and the
President and Mrs. Lincoln bowed.
Mrs. Lincoln smiled and seemed par
ticularly cheerful. But noticed that
Mr.. Lincoln had a peculiar sad look
as ne slowly walked to the box, the
door of which was opened by the
usher. who remained outside aud after
the party had entered closed the door
firmly. The usher then took seat,
remaining as sentry by the door.
Everything then went on as usual.
About 1870 O'Clock | heard whisper.
ing outside the Presidents box. and
looking around | saw Wilkes Booth
talking to the usher aud trying to force
his way to the President. In his hand
be held a package of papers that
looked like official documents. He
was evidently trying to persuade the
usher that he had business with the
President; but the usher persistently
refused to let him enter. At
last, BY persuasion and force,
he gained access to the box, and after
catering he closed the door, the usher
remaining outside. just then one Of
the most exciting scenes in the play
was being represented, and in the
midst Of it the report of a pistol was
heard. Almost instantly saw Booth
holding aloft a dagger as he leaped
from the box to the stage, about ten
feet below. He wore riding boots, and
in his leap spur on his heel caught
in one Of the flags, causing him To
fall forward to the stage, either break
ing his leg Just above the ankle OF
spraining bis ankle. He still kept his
dagger in his right hand, and using
MS hand and sound leg he crawled oil
hepped across the stage, quickly dis
appearing through a stage door.
i have often been asked, said DR.
Leale, If Booth cried. Sic semper
tyrannis,' as he leaped from the
Presidents box. / did not hear him
say anything, but it IS possible he did
so. As Booth jumped on to the stage
cries Of Murder, and The President
has been shot were heard 10 the box
At first the audience was stunned, but
when Booth was seen going across the
stage there were cries 10 stop him. A
surgeon was called for, and made M
way over the seats TO the box. Aftei
some difficulty the door was opened
from the inside BY Major RathbOurne
1t had been barrieaded by Booth on
his entry; the day before be had haC
carpenters 10 FIX al iron hssp on each
side Of the door, and a large beam haC
been placed In the corner Of the box
When be entered be slipped the bean
into the hasps, thus firmly barricad
ing the door. / suppose he had beer
in the box thirty seconds before thl
shot was fred. Major Rathbourne
who had received a severe wound il
the arm from Booths dagger, at las
removed this beam, after a delay tina
seemed great. though it was reall,
very slight. | was the first person
who entered the box. found th
President leaning back in an arm
chair. his head hanging down, appar
emily dead. Mrs. Lincoln was at hi
side weeping bitterly. She asked IN
TO take change Of her husband, an
called out. Oh, do what you can 70
him-dO what you canl Is he dead
is he dead?"
Il lifted the Presidents head t
support it. ard while doing so / fel
blood on his shoulder. | thought b
had been stabbed in one Of the larg
blood vessels under the collar bone
so with the assistance Of those abou
we removed the President from th
chair and placed him on the floor.
asked to have his clothing cut, an
Immediately some one with a dirk Gu
through the coat aud other clothinl
There vas NJ wound, bus by this tim
the President had ceased to breathe
and | lifted his eyelids to examine ii
pupils. ] found them greatly dilated
aud indication Of pressure on tn
brain. | then passed my fingers quick
ly over his head, and found clotte
blood on the head an inch and hal
behind and above the left ear. re
moved the clot with my fingers an
also cleared away the clot that ha
formed around the opening into tn
skull. The hole was as smooth as
1t had been polished. After the re
moval Of the clot, the pressure on tn
brain was relieved, when there was
; sudden spasmodie gasp for breath, an
at long intervals there was deep son
orous breathing. In few minutes
) procured some brandy, ofwhieh | CAV
the President a small quantity.
r At THIS time another surgeon, Di
Taft was brought into the box frol
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