Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-28
A ERIGETEUL TRAGEDY.
Col. Rathb0ne, Who was Stabbed in
ETdss Thca1er by Linc0In'S Assassin.
Kills Ellis Wife in a Hanover Town
Dying Himself

Tie west end OF Washington was startled Till
morning by the cable dispatches announcing thai
Col Henry Il. Rathbone, OF No. 8 Lafayette square
twiiare he had resided many years prior to is las
departure for Europe 4 year ago., had killed his
wife In Germany and then shot himself. and wa:
| expected to die. 1t added that his wiles
sister, Miss Louise Harris. and the three children
were uninjured. TIE family OF Col. Rathbone have
oeen prominent In this city for nearly seventeen
years. His wife was the daughter OF senator Ira
Harris, OF New York. and a wel-known society
faTorite in Albany and Washington before her mar.
r1lge. They sailed for Germany about three years
lso 20 educate their children Last year Col Rath-
o1le returned here 10 attend TO his business aalS
aau then returned To Europe. his agent here Is
Ni ROOert q. Hoffman, who says Col RathhOne
has about S1G0G00 worth OF urouertv In this city,
including the two the houses No. and No.
:3 Lafayette Square Mr. John X. Mclean. of
CINCINNATI, occupies No. S. Mr. HOFFMAN adds that
Wnlle here Col RathbOne appeared IL be the mod
est, quiet reserved gentleman that he always had
oeen, and that his correspondence Indicated 10
changed condition in tie business habits OF the
man. Among tle bankers, brokers and uptown
business men, where Col Rathbone was as well
known Us IN social life. all manner OF speculation
has been INDUCED as to the cause or tits double
tTtSe.iy. No! a few predicted that il would prove
U be o. a domestic nature. A dispatch uum Al
batE 10 the New York sun OF to-day adds de-
tails, as follows:
On Tuesday last Col William II. Harris.
this City. sent duplicate dispatches to relatives OF
the family living in Albany OF which the following
IS the substance:
louisa cables Henry killed Clara and atterlrted sui
cict Yesterday sail on the Baltic Thursday.
Next day the Hon. Hamilton Harris received an
Otner dispatch from Col Harris. in answer 10 one
he sent TO the same effect as the one A hnvc given
Coz: Harris arrived in New York On Wednesday
E!gIl preparatory TO sailing for Germany the f0l
lowing day. and from there he sent the following
es<llatcl 10 tbs city, having undoubtedly just re
ing additional particulars:
iiery not likely to live through the night Children
Col. Harris Sallea on the Baltic to-day o, his wav
10 Germany. The news OF the trage ~ was received
WIZ the utmost asiQnlshmeIt and horror in this
CITY. where there many relatives OF the Ratn-
bone and Harris families.
Col- Henry Reed Kathbone. the author Of the
acuole tragedy, was born in this city in 1885. His
l;ttheT was Jared L. RathbOne, formerly mayor of
;lie CiIF. he was cousin OF Gen. John F. R5th-
bone Louis Rathbone and Samuel H. ana Albion
Kenisen Rath!l02e Hevo!unteered during the late
Try In Nay, 1861. lie was promoted 10 be ma ior IN
the 5th infantry in February. 1863, and was ois-
charged December 81. 1876 lie Was breyetei major
In August 1s Tor ser ices in the Office OF the pro
Vost marshal Of the United States In March. lS,5
he was made colonel - brevet faithful service
IN The organization OF the volunteer armies du ing
the war. His family acquired wealth IN the st owe
hlanufactufe in Albany, and he was himself man
OF considerable means.
few years atter the death OF his father his
mother married the late United! States Sen.i.;r
Ira harris and in the early part OF the war the,
Two families We're We'll known in Washington So
cietv.
Col. Rathbone and his mother were In the box
with President Lincoln when the President was as
ssslIted on April IA 1865. After the President and
MIS-. Lincoln left IN: Waite House TO 60 to FCrd'S
the2ter Oh the night OF the ASSASSINATION they
drove TO the residence OF Senator Harris. where
they We're Joined by Co. Rathbone and his mother
On reaching The theater the party entered one OF
the upper boxes. where they sat for en hour or
more. line special occasion OF the visit was to
near a patriotic song and chorus, ''Honor to Our
Soldiers. written by Mr. ii. B. Phillips for the oc-
caSion which Was the benefit of Miss Laura heene
While the President was looking toward the stage.
laughing at some ,lrol episode IN the play, Wilkes
Booth suddenly entered the JOY. Re was at
once confronted by Col. Eathbone, who de-
m;.rded the cause CT the Intrusion Booth
made 40 reply AID pushed by Col. Rathbone anG.
before tie colonel coul! seize him, drew a pistol
then sprang upon the baluotTade OF the private
box ana drew dagger as il TO stab the President.
The assassin was At once seized by Col RatuboDa.
upon whom he turned ercely. ST. bling hi,n ii the
arm Booth then jumped upon The stage. fiour-
l9iled his bleeding tgger, shouted ''oc Senper
tyIaIliilS." and escaped by a side exit.
Col RathbOne WAS iCr long tine confined to
his beC by the WoUnd which he received from the
assassin. During his confinement he was tenderly
nurocd oy his Stepaater, Clara Harris. the Senator's
daughter. and an attachment grew UP between
them. which resulted, about fifteen Years ago, In
their marrInTe.
Col. iathl}0ne has been suffering of late wears
from dyspepsia in the most aggravated form. Five
or SIX wears ago he went abroad with his wife and
three Children. the Oldest son OF thirteen. the
youngest about five years Old. They had settled
temporarily in little town In Hanover for the plr-
pooe oI educating tie children. Mrs Rathb0ne'i
Sister Louise Was VIII them. Mrs. Raunbone was
4 o cS-St Hamilton