The Princeton union., 1881-03-10
this day the enigmatical words have
never been explained. Mr.. Johnson

never been explained. Mr.. johnson
safely left at his hotel, the provost
marshal resumed his post at the side of
Secretary Stanton in the room where
Mr.. Lincoln was. Acting Assistant
Surgeons C. S. Taft and =. A. King,
who had helped DR.. Teal to carry Me.
Lincoln out Of the theatre, were Joined
by DR.. Robert X. Stone, Sureon General
Barnes, and Assistant Surgeon General
G. H. Crane, who were endeavoring to
do all they could to restore Mr.. Lincoln
to consciousness. After describing
the affecting scenes of Lincoln,s bed
chamber that long evening, the general
says: During the night Secretary
Stanton, with wonderful thoughtful
ness, dictated from time TO time a large
number of messages to various sec
tions Of the union. He was remark
ably calm throughout, methodical and
reflective. betraying no evidence Of
emotion except once or twice when the
breathing of Mr.. Lincoln became less
audible, and it was supposed that the
last moments Of life had come. At
these times he turned almost inyol-
unfairly from a little table at which
he stood, heaved a sigh, treasured
himself that death had not supervened,
and then, looking out thoughtfu1ly
through the open window into the
starlit night, apparently gave himself
up to the business of rejecting upon
what was to be done next by the ad.
ministration to meet the emergency
and provide for the future. Mr..
Lincoln's respiration gradually be-
came inaudible as daylight appeared
on the morning of April Is, and Just as
dawn was blending with day sudden
short deep gutteral noise, occasioned
by a last struggle for breath, excited
the attention Of the watchers. It
sounded as if caused by q choking
obstacle or thickness of phlegm in
the throat. The chest expanded to
its utmost capacity, and slowly sank.
Then all was silent. Surgeon General
Barnes moved noiselessly to the side
of the bed, examined the pulse, shook
his head and walked away. His assist
ant, Gen. Crane, also made an exam
ination, and both signifed unmis-
takably by their looks that Abraham
Lincoln, the faithful and devoted
president of the United States, was
dead. Mr.. Stanton then approached
the bed and looked intently for few
minutes at the features of
the murdered one. He re-
sumed his position at the win
dow, placing one foot on the chair
seat near by, leant upon his knee with
the left arm bent as prop, braced
his chin with the closed hand, sighed
bitterly, and almost as if with revenge
full feelings, the stern gaze out into
the early morning was again resumed.
The union was for the time being
without president. The first one
who had met death by violence while
in Office, and the first who had lost
his life by the hand of an assassin
the first one who had dared by a
proclamation to ]iberate four millions
of slaves in the name Of freedom had
now passed to Immortality, a martyr,
though loved and respected by all,
and who had never even wronged the
feelings Of hisl fellowman. Grad
ually all the witnesses Of the sad scene
withdrew. Preparations were at once
made for embalming the body and it's
removal to the White House. Secre-
tary Stanton Immediately gave orders
for the necessary arrangements. No.
one who has gone through the Incl
dents of this awful tragedy will ever
forget that night of horror, and few,
if any, can describe it in all its sad
ness.