Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-08-22
LlNCOLN'S LAST NIGHT.
Letter Written BY a Lady Member Of His
Party in the Theatre

Party in the Theatre.
In 1865 sixteen page letter, written
that year by Miss Harris, who was in the
theatre box with the Lincoln party when
the president was shot, was given me by =
friend VINO had just received il from Mrs.
Stowe. OF this letter Mrs Stowe remark.
ed that under the circumstances il would
one day be regarded as historically valu-
aole and of national interest. At all
events, in II intelligent and reliable test
imony is borne TO the domestic virtues OF
one of the gentest, best, and wisest of
10 EN-. IL Is sad to know that other tragic
events followed the party, for Miss Harris
who atterward married her stepbrother,
Major Rathbone, was killed by him in
Germany, and Rathbone, believe ia az
present the inmate of lunatio asylum.
Following is the letter:
WASHINGTON April %.
ny Dear Nj: Was very glad TO hear
from yOu again, your letter proving that
in all the events of your ms'ronly life our
old friendship Is not forgotten.
HOu may veil say that we have been
passing through scenes sad indeed. That
terrible Friday night is TO me yet almost
like some dreadful vision. | have been
very intimate with Mrs. Lincoln and the
family ever since our mutual residence in
Washington, which began at the same
time, and We have been constantly ia the
habit of driving and going TO the opera
aud theatre together. 1t WAS the only
amusement with the exception OF reoeiv.
| ing at their own house, in which the presi
dent and Mrs. Lincoln we're permitted,
according to customs, TO indulge, and 60
| escape from the crowds who constantly
thronged TO see them, more than from any
decided taste for such things They were
IN the habit of going very often TO hear
Forrest Booth, Hackett, and such actors
when playing in Washington.
The night before the murder was that Of
the general illumination here, and they
drove all through the streets TO see il:
less calculating villain might have taken
that opportunity for his crime or the night
before, when the white house alone was
brilliantly illuminated and the figure OF the
| president stood out in full relief TO the i'm
mense crowd below, who stood in the dark
ness 10 listen to his speech, He spoke
from the second window of the executive
mansion, | had been invited TO pass the
evening there and stood at the window of
an adjoining room with Mrs. Lincoln
watching the crowd below rs they listened
aud oheered. OF course Booth was the re
Watching his chance | wonder that ne
did not choose that occasion, but probably
he knew better opportunity would be
offered. After the speech was over we
went into Mr.. Linooln's room; he was ly-
ing on the sofa, quite exhausted; but he
talked of the events of the past fortnight,
of his viset TO Richmond, of the enthusi-
asm everywhere felt through the Sountry;
and Mrs. Lincoln declared the pat few
days to have been the happiest of he's life.
Their prospects indeed seemed fair
peace dawning upon our land and four
years of happy and honored rule before
one of the gen'lest, best, and loveiest
men | ever knew. | never saw him out OF
! temperate klndest husband, the tender.
est father, the truest friend, as well IA the
wisest Statesman. sour Beloved Presi-
dentn-when | think that | shall never
again stand in his gentle presence, that l
have lost his friendship so tried and true,
| feel like putting on the robe of mourning
which the country wears.
My own dear father was deeply attached
to Mr. Lincoln; they thoroughly sympa-
thized in many things, and Mr.. Lincoln,
perhaps being able TO discern IN him an
honest, unselfish nat1re, in that AKIN TO
his own, was wont with him to throw off
the restraints of the politician and talk
over things rs with an old friend.
The shock has been terrible one to
him be feels his death to be a deep per
sonal efliiotion.
You are right in supposing the Major
Rsthbone who was with us TO be the
"Henery" you knew in Albany.
k.. -
ing. They drove to our door in the gay
est spirits, chatting on the way-and the
president Was received with the greatest
enthusiasm
They say that we we're watched by the
assassins; aye, as we alighted from the
carriage. Oh, how could any one be 80
cruel as to strike that dear, kind, honest
facet And when think of that fenj bar.
ring in himself along with us, my blood
runs cold My dress il saturated with
blood; my hands and face were covered.
You may imagine what scene, and so,
all through that dreadful night VIXEN We
stood by that dying bed. Poor Mrs. Lin
coin was and is almost crazy.
Henry narrowly escaped with his life.
The knife was struck at his heart with all
the force of prsctioed and powerful arm
he fortunately parted the blow, and re-
eeived a wound in his ara, extending
along the bone from the elbow nearly 20
the shoulder. He concealed it for some
time, but was finally carried home in a
swoon; the loss OF blood had been 40 great
from the artery snd veins severed. He
is now getting quite we'll, but cannot yet
use his arm.
hope you will pardon mo this dreadful
| was writing. / have been quite III, and
have as yet answered scarcely any Of the
numerous letters have received in the
last two weeks.
Ever yours RinoereIy