Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-05-03
LINCOLN KILLED
WILLIAM WRITER'S, LEADER OF FoRp,s
ORCHESTRA, TELLS HIS EXPERIENCE.

AaA WfitAsa . ssag Fer TAae x9e1eu1aR
Hsrfornanee-was - H. eongs -
Booth ssr.ck mn WIN . Dagssr-Hs
wss Hlzss 70 IdentiSy the Aaanin.
At the Professional Woman's league,
while the members worked diligently
over the novelties being made tor the
coming bazaar, the question came up,
lis there anybody living who saw Lin
coin assassinated?''
Immediately everybody had some-
thing to say about somebody else who
had q friend who was at the theater that
night The most interesting story was
told Of William Withers. j, now or
chestra leader for Mr.. DAILY, but at the
time Of the assassination leader Of the
orchestra of Ford's theater.
Mr.. Withers enjoys the distinction Of
kaving not only been at the theater the
night Lincoln was assassinated, but Of
having been pierced BY the dagger Of
the assassin just a few moments after
Booth had fred the shot that made Lin
coin q martyr. Every time he goes 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
the others. Here is the story as he tells
it in the Washington Post:
Il was leader of the orchestra at the
time, and as the president was to wit
ness the performance Of Our American
Cousin I thought that, as befitted the
occasion, would compose song. So
did. 1t was entitled Honor to Our Sol
diers' and dedicated to the president.
This was to be sung between two Of the
acts by quartet had engaged and the
entire company, who were to be attired
in the American colors.
"As l was on my way to the theater
met John Wilkes Booth just in front
of George Harry's saloon, which ad-
Joined the theater. It was q sultry
night, and Booth had his overcoat over
his arm. Good evening, Billy, he said.
Come and have something?
"As was leaving to enter the thea
ter Booth remarked, IN witness the
performance tonight. Noticed nothing
strange about his demeanor and subse-
quently saw him as was coming out
for the overture.
"Soon the president, his wife, Major
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 sung
at that time, but he would try to have
it rendered between the second and third
acts. A similar message was sent to me
at the close Of the second act, and I be-
came somewhat exercised. / 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 act
ing, for the curtain had again gone ND.
I encountered scene shifter, Spangler,
whose Office Ofterward learned was to
turn out the lights in the theater as soon
as the shot was fred. He obstructed nv
passage.
What do you want here?' he de-
manded. In reply I told him it was
none Of his business. MI. Wright ap-
pearing, spangler left his position ON
the stage alongside the box in which
was the apparatus for illuminating the
theater. closed the lid of the box and
sat upon it to talk to the manaser, uu-
conscious that I was spelling the plan.
"Mr. Wright told me the song would
be sung at the close Of the performance,
and Miss Keene had sent word to the
president requesting him to stay to
hear it.
II was just about to return to the or
chestra when the crack Of q revolver
startled me. All wasquiet instantly, I
saw man jump from the presidents
box on to the stage. It was Booth. He
ran directly toward the door leading
into the alley. This course brought him
right in my path. He had a dagger in
his hand, and he waved it threatening
ly. He evidently did not recognize me.
for be appeared like a maniac. His ewes
seemed starting from their sockets. and
his hair was disheveled.
with head down, he ran toward me-
and cried, Let me passI He slashed at
me, and the knife cut through my coat,