The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1886-07-16
IN FORD'S THEATRE.
AN EYEWITNESS STORY or THE AS
sAsSINATION or LINCOLN.

A Change from Comedy TO Terrible TragsS
edy- Reoth's Leap to the stage-A
Stage Carpenters Interpretation of the
Assassin's Exciama ation-Eseape
1syst tyss q
Twenty-one years ago occurred the great
est tragedy Of American history. 1t Was
the assassination of President Lincoln Id
Ford's theater in this city. The story
grows more interesting as time goes on
In this letter I wish to give you some curl
ous gossip in regard to it, which you may
not find in your libraries. Mr.. Davis, who
has been a leading lawyer of Washington
q since the days Of James Buchanan. wat
present in Ford's theatre the night thai
Lincoln was shot. He chatted with me
about the assassination the other night.
Said he: II had not intended to go to the
theatre, but saw it stated in the papers
that both the president and Gen. Grant
would be there, and went more to see
Grant than anything else. His fame at
this time was in every ones mouth, but he
had not been much at Washington, and
had not met him.
TRANSITION FROM COMEDY TO TRAGEDY.
The play was, you know, HOur American
Cousin" and the house was crowded.
sat within five or six rows Of the front In
the pit and Joe Stewart, the six-fo0t, 200
weight of man who attempted to catch
the assassin, was Immediately in front of
me- President Lincoln entered the the
atre with his party when Dundreary was
telling why dog wags its tail. The audi
ence greeted the president with cheers
and clapping of hands, and as he reached
the door of his private box he turned and
II. H. - In %hnv, fNl1 Tynd
Mrs. Lincoln into the box, and took his
seat at the front of it by her side. The in
interior of the box Was lined with crimson
velvet paper, and the people within it
shown out plainly from this as back
ground The front of the box was hung
with curtains made of American flags,
and between those flags the president
looked out.
"The comedy went on until the third
act, and the presidents party seemed to
enjoy themselves Lincoln was sitting
with his left arm on the balustrade of the
box, and with Mrs. Lincoln's Eand rest
ing on his knee. In the midst OF q scene
pistol shot rang out and scream from
Mrs. Lincoln drew my attention TO the
president. saw clouds of smoke coming
out between the flags, and through this /
saw the presidents head fall upon his
chest. Then out of the smoke a form
sprang down on the stage, his foot catching
in the flag as he fell. 1t was John Wilkes
Booth. Tall, thin black hair, and with
eyes which glittered like those of a wild
beast, his face was as white as chalk. He
rose half upon his knees and waved o
sword like dagger which can see glitter
ing before my eyes now. heard him say
fn tragic tones, Sic semper tyrannis,' and
then be limped fast across the stage, go
ing behiad the scenes.
THE AUDIENCE WAS DUMBFOuEDED.
All this happened in an instant, and all
the time Mrs. Lincoln was screaming. As
Booth rush FROM the stage he pushed
aside Laura Keene, who YVES ready to en-
ter for her part, and within half minute
he.was In the alley and away. The audi
csaxr Waw aaanbfouHgg8 ISr~=sw usorEvraC.
Then every one sprang to his feet, bat nay
friend Joe Stewart was the only one Whe
had attempted to seize Booth. He rushed
through the orchestra, crushing yioiins
and trombones in his efforts to get upon
the stage, but the footlights burned his
fingers, snd when at last he clambeFed
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. -...
"Lincoln was carried across to the Peter
son house, i'm which he died the next
morning. I do not think Mrs. Lincoln
ever recovered from the shock of that
night did not see Grant, for you know
he was prevented from attending the
theatre by his baggage being left at the
depot, instead of being brought to the
hotel, as he had directed. On the trial of
the eolspirators remember that stage
shifter was among the witnesses, who, on
being asked as to what Booth had said as
he went across the stage, replied: I'll said:
am sick; send for McGinnis.'
Among the men tried was commits
sion merchant whom / had done some
business for He sent note for me to
come and defend him. An orderly brought
it. l refused, of course, though did not
believe him guilty. would not have
taken his case for 5000. The feeling was
such and the ,opprobrium of having any
thing to do with the assassin was SO great
that it would have been by NO means
."--"Carp" in Cleveland Leader.