The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-13
ragedy of the civil war was yet to come,

tragedy of the civil war was yet to come,
ana by a'strange fatality ! was an eye wit
ness OF portion of that bloody scene that
fIled the world with horror and dismay.
l was in Washington, having been at work
in Alexandria on the night the most thrill
ing tragedy ever enacted i'll any theater IN
this country took place without any pre-
moniiion on the part of the audience or Of
the chief victim in the dreadful drama.
II was standing on the corner near the
washington monument. when all Of a sud-
den / heard a great cry from the direction
of Ford's theaser, and In an instant heard
the clatter OF horse dashing madly down
the street, and Just as he reached a point
near the monument he slipped and fell
heavily 10 the pavement with the cloaked
figure that bestrode him, and knew that
they were in some way concerned in the
uproar that was growing louder and more
vehement every moment
In an instant. however. the horse recov-
cred his footing and the rider climbed pain
fully to his seat. and / saw that he was
badly hurt, one foot hanging loosely as he
disappeared in the darkness, urging his
horse TO the very top of his speed. In those
troublesome timea brawls and outbreaks
were so common that | had become accus-
tomel to them. and yet TIE noise and con-
fusion grew TO such an extent that | knew
something unusual had occurred ana !
turned and started up town, and after
walking few steps | met the forerunners
Of the crowd. following in the direction
taken by the hoIseman and yelling. The
president has been assassinatod!
Il hurried on toward the theater, which
was surrounded by thousands Of people,
and bands of armed men were dashiug of
in all directions, and such tumult | never
experienced even In the widest days of
battle in the valleys OF Virginia. All sorts
OF reports We're flying, the principal idea
being that the Confederate leaders were at
the bottom o, It, and that they We're trying
to upset the government and Sc, control Of
affairs.
Those were the most exciting times ever
Witnessed In Washington. | have read the
story Of the assassination and the events
that followed as told by many writer's who
were eye Witnesses but none Of them have
ever come fully up to my recollection Of
The tragic scene. | was hut common ci'i-
zen, a man OF color, and a laborer among
the masses. being then engaged In build
ing n house in Alexandria, and | came in
direct contact with the great mass of the
people
There was horror upon the minds Of
all ana Il continual dread that still bloodier
scenes were to follow the ter ible troubles
Of the war. and even the mechanics stopped
their work and congregated In liule knots
discussing the prosper-s
"on the day of the funeral all Washing
ton turned out to witness the grand and
solemn pageant, and many OF the common
people burst out crying as the hearse,
drawn by six stately horses. passed along
the crowded streets. The negroes, who
looked upon Lincoln as their deliverer,
were wild with grief. and being naturally
Of a very emotional temperament, gave
vent TO their grief in such heart
rending walls that Que unacqua' nted with
the peculiar surroundings would have sup
posed that each and every one of them
had lost cherished member OF the fam
lily.
1T was some DAYS after the funeral be-
fore duetude was restored and the common
PEOPLE went out about their ordinary voca-
lions and life assumed it's normal condition
IN the National capital. ! reman ned there
for somc wears. and finally returned to
Georria whore have remained ever since.
bu, the memories Of those exciting days OF
my youth overshNdow all that has ever
tronsnlred In tn whole existence aimee the
war" Montgomery M. Folsom
Charles Dickens on Christmas.
Christmas time, That man must be n