Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-20

ALLEY DOOR THROUGH WHICH BOOTH ESCAPED
supporter of the southern cause and his heart
was filed with bitterness over the reelection
of Lincoln and the triumph of the north. Since
the presidential election he had been engaged
i'll plot to kIdnGp Lincoln. But the plans
came to nothing and then ne determined upon
a scheme OF murder which should include the
President the Vice President, Mr.. johnson
and the Secretary Of State. Mr.. Seward. His
aCcomplices were men of inferior minds TO his
own and were completely under his control
Lewis Powell, alias Payne. was directed to
murder Seward. AtZerott was given the tasl.
of removing Andrew Johnson and Booth him
self undertook the murder of Lincoln. The
headquarters OF these men ana others who
consorted with them were at the house Of hrs
Mary L. Surratt. COZ Y street. About noon on
April Ii Booth learned that tho President was
to attend the theater that evening. He rapidly
ma;ured his plans and made all arrangements
for carrying ous tine project that night
BOOTHS CAREFUL PLANS
Tho box which the President occupied was a
double one, the partition dividing it being re-
moved for that occasion and the front was
decorated with lags. The entrance to the box
from the house was through a door which led
into passageway and from this passage doors
opened into the box. Booth fearing Interrupt
ton before he could carry cut his design had a
bar made which fitted into a mortice in the
wall and when in place would prevent the door
from being opened from the outside He had
hole bored into the door of the box. SO that
in the event of his not being able 10 get into
the box he could sight his victim and shoot
from the outside. He secured feet horse,
which he left in the alley in the rear of the
theater. During tine day he gave to an actor
an address to the American people which re-
cited the reasons for committing the murder
and charged him to send 1t to the Office Of the
nj Int for ,Nnl,lia ID,,t .
never saw the light, as the actor DESTROYED it
that night without showing it to any one.
Booth had for some time a quantity of arms.
ammunition. whisky and ropes stored at a
tavern at Surr.tisyilc, Nd. and word was sent
to the proprietor during the day to have the
arms III readiness, as they would be needed
that night.
How HE ENTERED THE BOX.
A few moments before 10 o'clock Booth rode
up to the alley entrance to the theater and
leaving his horse in charge of one of the
theater employees walked around to the front of
the house, aud going into neighboring
saloon took drink of brandy. He then entered
the theater, where, of course, he was known to
all the attaches, and passed at once to the door
leading into the passage to the box occupied
by the President. He handed his card to the
attendant at the door, who allowed him to pass.
OuCC iHbibc uoOI VI pdSsuSe ne secured
it by the bar which had been prepared and
then noiselessly opened the door of the box
and stepped in without attracting tine atten-
ton OF the four occupants, whdewere engrossed
with the play. The assassin held a revolver in
his right hand and dagger in his left APP
preaching the President from behind he put
the pistol to his head and fred The Presi-
dent did not move. except that his head dropped
forward slightly and his eyes closed The
bullet, which was from large Derringer revol-
yer. entered the back of the head on the lief:
side and passing through the brain lodged just
behind the left eye. When he fired the shot
Booth dropped the revolver and taking the
knife i'll his right hand struck Major Rathbone,
who at once sprang to seize him.
LEAPED TO THE STAGE.
Then running to the front of the box he
placed his left hand ON the railing and vaulted
to the stage. His spur caught in tho folds of
the American flag which draped the front of
the box, causing him to fall to the stage, break
ing his leg. In spite of the excruciatng pain
caused by this injury he bounded to his feet
and with the thea trical displav tn tho oud;orca