The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-29

Washington Post: There were many in
quiries at Lafayette Square Opera house
during the week just past for Mr. Will
lam Withers. jr., a unique character in
Mr.. Augustin Days aggregation Mr.
Withers is quite popular here, especially
among the musicians, and was once a
member of the Marine band, having be-
gun his musical career in that organiza-
ton. He was born at West Point, in
1881, and held positions in several theatres
IN Washington in the Cos. He was band
master in the Twelfth New York volun-
teers and SiXty-secOld Pennsylvania, and
II was at the close of the war that he
was offered the position of leader of the
orchestra of Ford's theatre. He has been
for a long time.
Mr.. Withers enjoys the distinction of
having not only been at the theatre the
night Lincoln was assassinated, but Of
having been pierced by the dagger of
the assassin Just a few moments after
Booth had fired the shot that made
Lincoln martyr Every time he comes
to Washington he is requested to tell this
story, and although many and varied are
the recitals of this thrilling event, Mr.
Withers' is somewhat different from
others. Here is the story as he tells it:
4 was leader OF the orchestra at the
time, and as the president was to witness
the performance of Our American Cousin
l thought that as BETTING the occasion
1 MOulu compose Il SOie. 90 ulu. II was
entitled. Honor to Our Soldiers and
dedicated 10 the president. This was to
be sung between two of the acts by a
quartette / had engaged and the entire
company. who were to be attired in the
American colors.
As | was on my way TO the theatre
l met John Wilkes Booth just in front Of
George Harry's saloon, which adjoined
the theatre. 1t was a sultry night and
Booth had his overcoat over his arm.
Good evening. Billy, he said; come have
something?
''As l was leaving to enter the theatre
Torrance tonight I noticed nothing
strange about his demeanor. and SUISSE
quently saw him as L was coming out for
the overture
Rathbone and Robert and Tad entered
their box. / signaled for Hail TO the
Chief, and the audience cheered and
the president turned smilingly and
bowed. Then he seated himself, and
with his accustomed modesty drew the
curtains half across the box.
After the first act j. P. Wright, the
stage manager, sent me word he would
be unable to have the special song su-V
at that time, but he would try to hive
il rendered between the second and
third acts. A similar message was sent
to me at the close of the second act and
l became somewhat exercised. l started
to go upon the stage, when / saw Booth
On the balcony, walking down the aisle,
in the direction of the presidents box.
He was seemingly attentive toward the
acting, for the curtain had again gone
up. I encountered a scene-shifter,
Spangler. whose Office l afterward
learned was to turn out the lights in the
theatre as soon as the shot was fired.
He INSTRUCTED my passage.
What do you want here? he de-
manded. In reply L told him it was
rc2e of his business Mr.. Wright ap-
pearing, Spangler left his position on
the stage alongside the box in which
was the apparatus for Illuminating the
theatre. closed the lid of the box
and sat upon it to talk to the manager,
unconscious that l was spelling the
plan.
Mr. Wright told me the song would
be sung at the close of the performance
and Mss Keene had sent word to the
president requesting him to stay and
hear il.
'I was just about to return to the or
chestra when the crack of a revolver