The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-04-16
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
April l4th 1865

States, was assassinated at Fords Thea.
tire Washington, by John Wilkes Booth.
IL seemsjbut few years ago that the
country was shocked by the death. of,
its chief officer, and yet whole gene
ration has grown up since that time,
and many men lwho will vote next fall
we're not born then. On this the 2lst
anniversary of one of the leading events
of American history, the story may be
retold with profit.
Mr.. Lincoln was invited by the
manager of Ford's theatre, in Wash
ington, TO attend in the evening a per
formance of the play, "Our American
Cousin" with Laura Keene as the lead
ing lady. This play, now so well
known to all play goers, and in which
the late Sothern afterward made for
tune and fame, was then comparatively
unheralded. Lincoln was fond of the
drama. But on that evening, it is
said, he was not eager to 90. The
play was new, consequently not allur-
ing to him but he yielded 20 the wish
es of Mrs. Lincoln and went. They
took with them Miss Harris and Mai.
Rathbone, daughter and stepson of
Senator Harris, of New York.
The theatre was crowded. AT 9:20
the president and his party entered.
The audience rose and cheered enthus-
iastically as they passed TO the estate
box reserved for them. Little did any
one present dream that within the hour
enthusiasm would give place to shrieks
of horror. 1t was 10 o'clock when
Booth came upon the scene to enact
the last and greatest tragedy of the
war. He had planned carefully, but
not correctly. A good horse awaited
him at the rear of the theatre, on which
he intended to ride into friendly shell
ter among the hills of Maryland. He
made his way to the presidents box
double one in the second tier, at the
left Of the stage. The separating par
tition had been removed, and both box
es thrown into one.
Booth entered the theatre nonchal-
antly, glanced at the stage with appar-
ent interest, then slowly worked his
way around into the outer passage
leading toward the box occupied by
the president. Al the end of an inner
passage leading to the box door, one
of the presidents messengers" was
stationed to prevent unwelcome intru-
sions. Booth presented card to bin,
stating tnat Mr.. Lincoln had sent for
him, and was permitted tc pass. After
gaining an entrance and closing the
hall lidoor, he took piece of board
prepared for the occasion, and fastened
the door.
So deliberately had he planned that
the very seats in the box had been ar
ranged to suit his purpose by an accom-
plice. Spangler, an attache of the
theatre, was suspected. The president
sat in the left hand corner of the box,
nearest the audience, in an easy arm
chair. Next him, on the right, sat
Mrs. Lincoln. A little distance to tho
right of both Miss Harris was seated
with Maj. Ralhbone at her left and a
little in the rear of Mrs. Lincoln, who,
intent on the play, was leaning for
ward, with one hand resting on her
husbands knee. The president was
leaning upon one hand, and with the
other was toying with portion of the
drapery. HIS face was partially turn
ed to the audience, and wore a pleas
ant smile.
The assassin swiftly entered the box
through the door at the right, and the
next instant fired. The ball entered
just behind the presidents left ear, and,
though not producing insta ntaneous
death, completely obliterated all con-
sciousness.
Maj. Rathbone heard the report, and
an instant later saw the murderer, a.
bout six feet from the president, and
grappled with him, but his grasp was
shaken off. Booth dropped bis pistol
and drew long, thin, deadly looking
knife, with which he wounded the
major. Then touching his left hand
to the railing of tire box, he vaulted
over to the stage, eight or ten feet be-
low. In that descent an unlocked for
and curious thing happened, which
foiled all the plans of the assassin and
was the means of bringing him to bay
at last. Lincoln's box was draped
with the American flag, and Booth in
jumping, caught his spur in its folds,
tearing it down and spraining his ankle.
He crouched as he fell, falling upon
one knee, but soon Strengthened him.
self and stalked theatrically across the
stage, brandishing his knife and shout
ing the state motto of Virginia, "ISic
semper tyrannisP afterwards adding,
"The south is avenged" He made bis
exit Cd the opposite side of the stage,
passing Miss Keene as he went out. A
man named Stewart, tall lawyer of
Washington, was the only person with
presence of mind enough to spring upon
the stage and follow him, and:::.he was
TOO late.
1t had all been done so quickly and
dramatically that many In the audience
were dazed and could not understand
that anything not part of the play
had happened. When, at last, the
awful truth was known to them there
ensued scene, the like of which was
never known in theatre before
Women shrieked, sobbed and tainted
Men cursed and raved, or were dumb
with horror and amazement Miss
Keene stepped to the front and begged
the frightened and dismayed audience
to be calm. Tnen she entered the
presidents box with water and stimuli
ants. Medical aid was summoned and
came with flying feet, but came TOO
late. The murderer's bullet had done
its wicked work well. The President
hardly stirred in his chair, and never
spoke or showed any signs of con-
seriousness again.
They carried him Immediately to the
house OF Mr.. Peterson, opposite the
theatre, and there, at 1922 the next
morning, the 10Th of April, he died.
Mr.. Lincoln's body was embalmed,
and on the following Wednesday
funeral services were held in the East
room of the White House. From
thence the body was taken to the
roIunda of the Capitol, where it was