Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-02-10
LINO0LN'S LAST HOURS,

This detailed account of the events Of the
memorable night when Abraham Lincoln was
shot is by Dr. Chas. Sabin Taft, an army surgeon
who was present at the assassination, death and
autopsy, and who made notes. the next day, Of
all that happened. 10y direction of Secretary Stan
ton The article is contributed by DR.. Taft to
the Mdwinter number of the Century,
On the fourth anniversary of the fall of
Fort Sumter, the beloved President, his
great heart filled with peaceful thoughts
and charity for all, entered Ford's theatre
amid the accamations of the loyal null
titude assembled to greet him. Mr..
Lincoln sat in a backed uphol-
stored chair in the corner of his box
nearest the audience, and only his left pro-
file was visible to most of the audience;
but from where l sat- almost under the
box, in the front row of orchestra chairs,
l could see him plainly. Mrs. Lincoln
rested her hand on his knee much of the
time, and often called his attention to
some humorous situation on the stage.
She seemed to take great pleasure in wit
Messing his enjoyment
All went on pleasantly until half-past
ten o'clock, when, during the second scene
of the third act, the sharp report of pis-
toll rang through the house. The report
on the right of the stage, and behind the
Presidents box. While it startled every
one in the audience, it was evidently ac-
copied by all as an Introductory effect pre-
ceding some new situation in the play,
several of which had been introduced in
the earlier part of the performance. A
moment afterward a hatle4 and white
faced man leaped from the front of the
Presidents box down, twelve feet, to the
stage. As he jumped, one of the spurs
on his riding-boots caught in the folds of
the flag draped over the front, and caused
him to fall partly on his hands and knees
as he struck the stage. Springing quickly
to his feet with the suppleness of an ath-
lete, he faced the audience for a moment as
he brandished in his right hand a long
knife, and shouted, "Sic Semper tyrdnnis!"
Then, with rapid stage stride, he crossed
the stage, and disappeared from view. A
piercing shrek from the Presidents box,
repeated call for "Waterl waterr' and "a
surgeonr' in quick succession, conveyed
| the truth to the almost paralyZed audience.
A most terrible scene of excitement fol-
lowed. With loud shouts of "Kill him.
Lynch himr' part of the audience STAN
peded toward the entrance and some to the
stage.
l leaped from the top of the orchestra
railing in front of me upon the stage, and,
announcing myself as an army surgeon,
was Immediately lifted up to the Presi-
dents box by several gentlemen who had
collected beneath. l happened to be in
uniform, having passed the entire day in
attending to my duties at the signal camp
of instruction in Georgetown, and not hay
ing had chance to change my dress. The
cape of military overcoat fastened around
my neck became detached in clambering
to the box, and fell upon the stage. 1t
was taken TO police headquarters, together
with the assassins cap, spur, and der
ringer, which had also been picked up,
under the suppositon that it belonged to
him. 1t was recovered, weeks afterward,
with much difficulty.
When l entered the box, the President
was lying upon the floor surrounded by his
wailing wife and several gentlemen who
had entered from the private stairway and
dress-circle. Assistant Surgeon Charles
A. Leale, L. S. ", was in the box, and
had caused the coat and waistcoat to be
cut off in searching for the wound. Dr.
A. f. A. King of Washington was also pres
ent, and assisted in the examination. The
carriage had been ordered to remove the
President to the White House, but the sur
geons countermanded the order, and he
was removed to bed in a house opposite
the theatre. The wound in the head had
been found before leaving the box, but at
that time there was no blood coming from
it. When the dying President was laid
upon the bed in a small but neatly fur
nished room opposite the theatre, it was
found necessary to arrange his great length
diagOnally upon it. The room having be-
come speedily filled to suffocation, the Off
Ger in command of the provost guard at
the theatre was directed to clear it of all
except the surgeons.
\ hospital steward from Lincoln hospital
did efficient service in speedily procuring
the stimulants and sinapisms ordered. The
wound was then examined. a tablespoon
full of diluted brandy was placed between
the Presidents lips, but it was swallowed
with much difficulty Mr.. Lincoln was di-
vested of all clothing, and mustard plas-
tiers were placed on every inch of the ante
rior surface of the body from the neck
to the toes. At this time the President S
eyes were closed, and the lids and surround
ing parts so injected with blood as to pre-
sent the appearance of having been bruised.
He was totally unconscious, and was breath
ing regularly but heavily, an occasional
sigh escaping with the breath. There was
scarcely dry eye in the room, and it was
the saddest and most pathetic death-bed
scene l ever witnessed. Captain Robert
Lincoln, of Gen. Grants staff, entered the
room and stood by the headboard, leaning
over his dying father At first his terrible
grief overpowered him, but, soon recover
ing himself, he leaned his head on the
shoulder of Senator Charles Sumner and
remained in silent grief during the long,
terrible night.
About twenty-five minutes after the
President was laid upon the bed, Surgeon.
General Barnes and DR.. Robert King
Stone, the family physician, arrived and
took charge of the case. 1t was owing tc
DR.. Leale's quick judgment in instantly
placing the almost moribund President in
a recumbent position the moment he saw
him il the box that Mr.. Lincoln did moi
expire in the theatre within ten minute.
from fatal syncope. At DR.. stones sug
gestion, l placed another teaspoonful o
diluted brandy between the President
lips, to determine whether it could b,
swallowed; but as it was not, no furthe
attempt was made.
After the cessation of the bleeding, tn,
respiration was stertorous up to the las
breath, which was drawn at twenty on
minutes and ffty-five seconds past seven
the heart did not cease to beat until TWEEN