Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-05-18
BOOTHS MEETING WITH w1THERs


the president. This was to be sung be-
tween two of the acts by quartette had
engaged, and the entire company, who
We're to be attired in the American colors.
AS was on my way to the theater met
John Wilkes Booth just In front of George
EIarry's saloon, which adjoined the theater.
1t was 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 theater
Booth remarked: I'll witness the perform
ance tonight 1 noticed nothing strange
about his demeanor. and subsequently saw
him as was coming out for the overture.
Soon the president, his wife, Nal Rath-
bone, and Robert and Tad entered their
box. I signaled for Hall to the Chief and
the audience cheered and the president
turned smilingly and bowed. Then he
seated himself, and with his accustomed
nrodesty drew the curtains half across the
box.
After the first act ]. p. Wright the
stage manager, sent me word he would be
unable to have the special song sung at
that time, but would try to have it rendered
between the second and third acts. A
similar message was sent me at the close of
the second act, and l became somewhat
exercised. I started to go upon the stage,
when saw Booth in the balcony, walking
down the aisle, in the direction of the
presidents box. ITe was seemingly at
had again gone up. l encountered a scene
shifter, Spangler, whose office. I afterward
learned, was to turn out the lights in the
theater as soon as the shot was fired. He
obstructed my passage.
What do you want here? he demanded.
In reply told him it was none of his bust
ness Mr.. Wright appearing, Spangler left
his position on the stage alongside of the.
box in which was apparatus for illumin-
ating the theater. / closed the lid of the
box and sat upon 1t to talk to the manager,
unconscious that 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 and hear it.
II was just about to return to the
orchestra when the crack of revolver
startled me- All was quiet instantly. I
saw a man jump from the presidents box
on to the stage. 1t was Booth. He ran de
rectly toward the door leading into the
alley. This course brought him right into
my path. He had a dagger in his hand, and
he waved it Overwhelmingly. He evidently
did not recognize me, for he appeared like a
maniac, his eyes seemed starting from
their sockets, and his hair was disheveled.
with head down he ran toward me and
cried: Let me pass He slashed at me
and the knife cut through my coat, vest
and Undertaking. He struck again, the
point Of the weapon penetrating the back
of my neck, and the blow brought me to
the floor. l watched him make his exit into
the alley, and caught sight of the horse
held by Peanut john
THE connection in the audience was
something terrible. Several actors, includ-
ing Harry Hawke, rushed out, and man
who proved to be detective lifted me up
and said: 1 arrest you
What's this all about?' I asked I'm
stabbed / was quickly told what was the
matter The thought flashed across my
mind that Booth was the assassin.
II was taken to the police station and my
deposition was received In the presence Of
Mayor Wallach. That was. believe, the
first intimation that they had of the identi-
ty of the murderer. l was at the trial Of
the conspirators, and the second to give
testimony. My wound healed in short
time"
SMITH n FRv