The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-05-07
LINCOLN KILLED
WILLIAM wirheRs, LeApeRoF FoRo's
ORCHESTRA. TELLS HIS EXPERIENCE.


HAD Written . Song For ii Psrticsias
Psrsorssscs-was On the stage ssd
BessA ssrsck Hi. with . n>sssr-Hs
wss First 70 Identity the AssassiA-
At the Professional woman's league,
while. the members worked diligently
over the novelties being made for the
coming bazaar, the question came up.
"Is there anybody living who saw Lin
coin assassinAted?"
Immediately everybody had some
thing to say about somebody else who
had q friend who was az the theater that
night. The most interesting story was
told Of William withers. jr., now or
chestra leader for Mr.. DAILY, but at the
time Of the assassination leader Of the
orchestra Of Ford's theater.
Mr.. W ithers enjoys the distinction Of
having not only been at the tbeater the
night Lincoln was assassinated, but Of
having been pierced by the dagger Of
the assassin just . few moments after
Booth had fred the shot that made Lin
coin q martyr. Every time he goes to
W Warrington he 10 requested to tell this
story. and, although many and varied
are the recitals Of this thrilling event.
Mr.. Withers' is somew hat different from
the others. Here is the story as be tells
il in the Washington Post:
II was leader Of the orchestra II the
time, and as the president was to wit
ness the performance Of Our American
Cousin / thought that as befitted the
occasion. I would compose . song. So !
did. II was entitled Honor to Our Sol
diers' and dedicated to the president.
This was to be sung between two Of the
acts by a quartet l had engaged and the
entire company, who were TO be attired
in the American colors.
"As was On my way to the theater
I met John Wilkes Booth just in front
Of George Harry's saloon. which ad-
Joined the theater. II was a sultry
night, and Booth had his overcoat over
his arm. Good evening. Billy. he said.
Come and have something?'
"As l 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 a. I was coming out
for the overture.
"Soon the president, his wife. Major
Rathbone and Robert and Tad entered
their box. l 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 70 have the special song sung
at that time. but he would try to have
il rendered between the second and third
acts. A similar message was sent to me
Mt the close Of the second act. and I be-
came somewhat exercised. started IL
60 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 up.
/ encountered a scene shifter. Spangler.
whose Office l afterward learned was e
turn out the lights in the theater as soon
as the shot was fired. He DISTRACTED my
passage.
What do you want herey' he de-
manded. In reply / told him it wa
none Of his business. Mr.. Wright ap
pearing. Srangler left his position OF
the stage alongside the box in which
was the apparatus for illuminating thu
theater. l closed the lid Of the box ant
sat upon 1t to talk 70 the manager. un
conscious hat ! was spelling the plan.
"Mr. Wright told me the song woul'
be sung Mt the close Of the performance
and Miss Keene had sent word to th
president requesting him to stay .
bear it.
II was Just about to return to the on
chestra when the crack Of q revolve
startled me. All was quiet instantly.
saw a man jump from the president
box ON to the stage. II was Booth. H
ran directly toward the door lea-.in
into the alley. This course brought hin
right in my path He had q dagger !
his hand, and he waved il threatening
ly. He evidently did nc recognize me
for he appeared like u maniac His eye
seemed starting from their sockets. an
his hair was disheveled.
with head down. he ran toward IN
and cried. Let me PAST He slashed
me, and the knife cut through my Goa,
vest and underclothing. He struc
again, the point Of the weapon penetrai
ing the back Of my neck, and the blo'
brought me TO the floor. l watched hill
make his exit into the alley and caugf
sight Of the horse. held by 'Peanr
} John
THE commotion In the audience WI
something terrible. Several actors. il
Guiding Harry Hawke, rushed out. an
q man who proved to be q detective lif'
ed me mp and said. i arrest you
What's this all about?' I asked
I'm stabbed. l was quickly told whs
was the matter. The thoupht flashe