The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-12-10
THE MAsoS,s MIsrAKE

his grief as he cling to the side Of the bed
with his head buried in the covering caused the
tears to start 10 the eyes of many Of the other
occupants OF the chamber. j can easily recall
the figure OF Secretary Stanton. He was seated
in n chair at one side Of the room and during
the short intervals when not engaged in writ
ing or reading dispatches, which continued TO
pour in during the entire night. he remained
mOtionless with his large head slightly bent to
one side and supported by his right hand. IL
was in this pose that / subsequently painted
him. The painting was so we'll received that
] was compelled TO make three copies Of it, one
Of which Is in possession OF the Stanton family
another at the War Department, a third at the
City Hall in this city, and the last was painted
for his son.
81 remember going into the street that
night" continued Mr.. Ulke. "In front OF the
Petersen house and tho thoroughfare for a con-
siderable distance was so blocked with people
that it was almost impossible 10 move about.
In coming out Of the house on the following
morning found the crowd even greater than
before aud to my great surprise ] found that
the major portion Of the vast multitude were
negroes"
:" How is he now7" breathessly asked sew
erAl coloTed men and women simultaneously.
" Your best friend is dead" | replied gravely.
In a moment the doleful news had been passed
from mouth TO mouth until it was on every lip.
During the next few moments / witnessed the
saddest sight Of my life. That vast crowd Of
liberated slaves were swayed in tho deepest
grief and agony. and they cried. both men aud
women, as though their hearts would break.
The only fathfai picture Of the deAth-bed
scene that 1 have even Beeu." resumed Dir.
Uike after n moment, was made by a man
named Kramer who was, sent here by Frank
Leslie a day or two after LncOln's death.
From me he obtained the positions of the
persons in the chamber Rt the time Mr.. Lin
coin expired, aud after making a visit TO the
room itself he managed TO produce a cDmpaTa-
lively accurate picture. IL was published in
Frank Leslies Reetlya few days later"
When Abraham Lincoln came TO Washington
in 1861 % assume the Presidential Office. he
brought with him a colOred barber from Ili-
nois named William Johnson, who shaved the
President for a couple Of years, and died in
Washington Of small pox in 1853. From the
time of Johnson's death until tho assassination
ol President Lincoln, Mr. Samuel ii. Williams.
at present at the Capitol. held the Office of
Presidential barber. Mr. Williams Is a man Of
about so years. and was a great favoritc Of
President Lineoln's during his service at the
White House.
a. Yes" said Mr.. Williams, "both my mother
and myself saw a great deal Of Mr.. Lincoln
during the latter half OF his administration.
For a couple OF years / shaved Mr. Lincoln aud
cut bis hair exclusively. lie was almost al
ways in a chatty mood while in the chair. Ii
was at such times that he said some Of his best
things. OF all the great men 1 have shaved,
none were more good-natured or moro kind
hearted than he lie had a way OF calling me
10 shave him at the most unexnected times.
lie would stretch himself out in his office chair.
where no had been writing for q couple OF
hours. and tell me to 70 ahead
"Iie was the most unconventional public
man / ever served. If Cabinet officer or
Senator should come in on some important
business while / was shaving him, he YOuld
treat them in the most OThand manner, never
troubling himself 10 make an apology for TO-
ceiVing them under such circumstances.
=" He was not at all fastidious about his shaw
Ing only stipulating that he should be left q
narrow fringe Of Whiskers about the edges OF