Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1897-04-24
SAW LINCOLN KILLED
WILLIAM wITHERs, LEADER FFoRD's
ORCHESTRA, TELLS HIS EXPERIENCE.

Booth Struck Kim With N Dngger-Ho
Was First to Identify the Assassin.
At tho Professional Woman S league,
while the members worked diligently
over tho novelties being made for tho
coming bazaar, the question camo up,
''Is there anybody living who saw Lin
coin assassinnted?"
Immediately everybody had some
thing TO say about somebody else who
had IL friend who was ut tho theuter that
night. The most interesting story was
told of William Withers, Jr., now or
chestra leader for Mr.. DAILY, but at tho
time of the assassination leader of the
orchestra of Ford's theatcr.
Mr.. Withers enjoys the distinction Of
having not only been ut the theater tho
night Lincoln was assassinated, but Of
having been pierced by the dagger Of
the assassin just few moments after
Booth had fired the shot that made Lin
coin a 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 Hero is tho story as he tells
it in the Washington Post:
~ was leader Of the orchestra ut tho
time, and ms the president was to wit
ness the performance of Our American
Cousin Thought that, as befttcd tho
occasion, 1 would compose Il song. So [
did. 1t was entitled Honor TO Our Sol
tiers' and dedicated to the president.
This was to be sung between two of tho
acts by quartet had engaged and tho
entire company, who were to be attired
in the American colors.
LAS was on my way 10 the theater
l met John Wilkes Booth just in front
of George Harly's saloon, which adj
Joined the theater 1t WAS Il sultiy
night, and Booth had his overcoat over
his arm. Coed evening, Billy, he said.
Come and have something
las l WAS leaving to enter the thea
ter Booth remarked, IN witness tho
performance tonight. Noticed nothing
strange about his demcanor and suisse
quently SAW him as l was coming out
for the overture.
"Soon the president, his wife, Major
Rathbono and Robert md Tad entered
their box. 1 signaled for Hail to tho
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 a2d third
acts. y similar message WAS sent TO nc
ut the close Of the second act, and be-
came somewhat exercised. started to
20 upon the stage when saw Booth on
the balcony walking down tie aisle III
the direction of the presidents box He
was seemingly attentive toward the act
ing, for the curtain had again gone up.
encountered Il scene shifter, Spangler,
whose office I afterward learned was to
turn out the lights in tie tkeateras soon
us the shot was fired. He INSTRUCTED MY
passage.
:" What Go you want hore:' he de-
manded. In reply 1 told him it was
none of his business. Mr.. Wright ap-
pearing, Spargler left his position on
the stage alongside the box in which
was the apparatus for Illuminating tho
theater. l closed the lid OF the box and
sat upon it to talk to the manager, un-
conscious that 1 was spelling the plan.
"Mr Wright told ne the song would
be sung ut the close Of the performance,
and Miss Kecnc had sent word to the
president requesting him to stay to
hear it.
81 was Just about to return 10 the or
chestra when the crack of a revolver
startled me. All was quiet instantly. l
saw man jump from the presidents
box Oh to the stage. 1t 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
". He evidently did not recognize me,
for be appeared like maniac. His eyes
seemed starting from their sockets, and
his hair was dishevelcd.
"'With head down, he ran toward mo
and cried, Let me pass! He slashed at
me, and the knife cut through my coat,
vest and underclothing. He struck
again, the pointof the weapon penetrat-
ing 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.
1.-The commotion in the audience was
something terrible. Several actors, in
Guiding Harry Hawke, rushed out, and
man who proved to be Il detective lift
ed me up and said, I arrest you.
Z" What's this all about:' l asked.
Pm stabbed I was quickly told what
was the matter. The thought flashed
across my mind that Booth was the as
Eassin.
81 was taken to the police station,
and my deposition was received i'll the
presence OF Mayor Wallach. That was
l believe, the first intimation that they
had of the identity CT the murderer. l
was at the trial Of the conspiratcrs and
the second TO give testimony. My wound
healed III short tilac. !"