Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1897-04-23

the president. This was to be sung be-
tween two of the acts by a quartette had
engaged, and the. entire company, who
were to be attired in the American colors.
LAS ! was on my way to the theater met
John Wilkes Booth just In front of George
Harry's saloon. which adjoined the theater
1t was a sultry night and Booth had his
oVercoat over his arm. Good evening.
Billy, he said; come have something
las 1 was leaving to enter the theater
Booth remarked: IN witness the perform
ance tonight l noticed nothing strange
about his demeanor, and subsequently saw
him as | was coming out for the overture.
Soon the president, his wife, Mai Rath-
bone, and Robert and Tad entered their
box. I 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 would try to have IL rendered
between the second and third acts. a
similar message was sent me a the close of
the second act, and I became somewhat
exercised. ! started to go upon the stage,
when 1 saw Booth in the balcony. walking
down the aisle, in the direction of ~
presidents box. He was seemingly at
tentively toward the acting, for the curtain
had again gone up l encountered a scene
shifter Spangler. whose office, 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 1t was none of his bust
ness. Mr.. Wright appearing, Spangler left
his position on the stage alongside of he
box in which was apparatus for illumin-
2 ting fhn thpntqr 1 cINcNH liza nf IL
box and sa upon it 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 a revolver
startled me. All was quiet, instantly. /
saw man jump from the presidents box
on to the stage. 1t was Booth. He ran d.
rectly toward the door leading into the
alley. This course brought him right into
my path. He had dagger in his hand. and
he waved IL threatenlngly. 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 underclothing. He struck again. the
point of the weapon penetrating the back
of my neck. and the blow brought me to
the floor. | watched him make his exit into
the alley, and caught sight of the horse
held by Peanut John
The connection In the audience was
terrible. Several actors. includ-
Ing Harry Hawke. rushed out, and a man
who proved TO be a detective lifted me 10
and sald i arrest you
What's this all about? | asked I'm
stabbed | was quickly told what was the
matter The thought dashed across my
mind that Booth was the assassin.
II was taken to the police station and my |
deposition was received i'm the presence OF |
Mayor Wallach. That was, | believe, the |
irst inttmation that they had of the identi- |
y Of the murderer. | was at the trial Of |
he eonspirators, and the second to give |
estimony My wound healed in short |
ime."
SMITH d ERY