Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-08-13
An Eyewitness Story Of the Assassination
of Lincoln.


An Eyewitness Story of the Assassination
Of Lincoln.
Twenty-one years ago occurred the great
est tragedy of American history. It was
the assassination of President Lincoln in
Ford's theatre in this city. The story
grows more interesting as time goes on.
In this letter I wish to give you some Gu
rious gossip in regard to it, which you
may not find in your libraries. Mr.. Davis
who has been a leading lawyer of Wash
ington since the days of James Buchanany
was present in Ford's theatre the night
that Lincoln was shot. He chatted with me
about the assassination the other night.
Said he: II had not intended to 20 to
the theatre, but saw it stated in the pa
pers that both the President and General
Grant would be there, and went more to
see Grant than anything else. His fame
at this time was in every ones mouth, but
be had not been much at Washington,
and had not met him.
TRANSITION FROM COMEDY TO
TRAGEDY.
The play was. you know, sour Ameris-
can Cousin" and the house was crowded.
sat within five or six rows Of the irons
in the pit, and Joe Stewart, the six foot,
200 weight Of man who attempted to
catch the assassin, was Immediately in
front of me. President Lincoln entered
the theatre with his party when Dundrea-
ry was telling why dog wags its tail.
The audience greeted the President with
cheers and clapping of hands, and as he
reached the door of his private box he
turned and bowed to the audience. He
then followed Mrs. Lincoln into the box.
and took his seat at the front of it by her
side. The interior OF the box was lined
with crimson velvet paper, and the people
within it shown out plainly from this as
background. Tie front of the box was
hung with curtains made Of American
flags, and between those flags the Presi-
dent looked out.
1.-The comedy went on until the third
act, and the presidents party seemed to
ODJOy VaOAAoCAVOos A11ASOah WAC cOuuAA&
with his left arm on the balustrade Of the
box, and with Mrs. Lincoln's hand rest
ing on his knee. In the midst of a scene
pistol shot rang out and scream from
Mrs. Lincoln drew my attention the pres
ident. I saw clouds Of smoke coming out
from between the flags, and through this
[ saw the presidents head fall upon his
chest Then out of the smoke form
sprang down on the stage. his foot catch
ing in the flag as he fell. It was John
Wilkes Booth. Tall, thin, black haired. and
with eyes which glittered like those of a
wild beast, his face was as white as chalk.
He raised half upon his knees and waved
a sword-like dagger which can see gilt
tering before my eyes now. heard him
say in tragic tones, sic semper tyrannis,
anG then he limped fast across the stage,
going behind the scenes.
THE AUDIENCE WAS DUMFOUNDED.
ALI this happened In an instant, and all
the time Mrs. Lincoln was screaming. As
Booth rushed from the stage he pushed
aside Laura Keene, who was ready to en-
ter for her part, and within half minute
he was in the alley and away The audi
ence was dumbfounded for a moment
Then every one sprang to his feet, but my
friend Joe Stuart was the only one who had
attempted to seize BOOTH He~rushed
through the orchestra, crushing vioIlns,
trombones. &C., in his efforts to crawl
upon the stage. but the fooJlights burned
his fingers, and when at last he clambered
up he was too late. He was able to see
Booth galloping out of the alley. A mo-
ment later the whole audience was in the
street.
s'Lincoln was carried across to the Pc
serson house, in which he died the next
morning. I do not think Mrs. Lincoln
yer recovered from the shock of that
night. I did not see Grant, for you know
ne was prevented from attending the the
tire by his baggage being left at the depot,
instead of being brought to the hotel, as
he directed On the trial of the conspira-
tors, 1 remembered that stage sh1fter
was among the witnesses, who, on being
.sked as to what Booth had said as he
W6EG aClO SS tuo otatoa lopilCu. h0 ooAu'
4 am sick; send for McGinnis'.,'
'Among the men tried was commits
sion merchant whom had done some bus
mess for. He sent a note for me to come
and defend him. An orderly brought it.
refused, of course, though I did not be-
lieve him guilty. I would not have taken
his case for $4,000. The feeling was such
and the opprobrium of having anything to
do with the assassin, was so great that it
would have been by no means safe.-Carp
IN Cleveland Leader.
Picked Tomatoes.