Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-05-08
SAW LINCOLN KILLED
WILLIAM WITHERs, LEADER OF FoRD's
ORCHESTRA, TELLS HIS EXPERIENCE.

AT the Professional Woman's league,
while the members worked diligently
over the novelties being made for the
coming bazaar, the question came up,
"ls there anybody living who saw Lin.
coin assassinatedg"
Immediately everybody had come.
thing to say about somebody else who
had n friend who was at the theater that
night. The most interesting story was
told Of William Withers, Jr., now or.
chestra leader for MIR. DAILY, but at the
time of the assassination leader Of the
orchestra Of Ford's thoater.
Mr. Withcrs enjoys the distinction Of
having 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 fired the shot that made Lin
coin 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:
81 was leader of the orchestra at the
time, and as the president was to wit.
ness the performance of Our American
Cousin l thought that, as befitted the
occasion, l would compose song, So /
did. II was entitled Honor to Our Sol
dicrs' and dedicated to the president
This was to be sung between two of the
acts by Il quartet l had engaged and the
entire company, who We're to be attired
III the American colors.
AS was on my way to the theater
met John Wilkes Booth Just in front
of George Harry's saloon, which ad-
Joined the theater. 1t was sultry
night, and Booth had his overcoat over
his arm. Good evening, Billy, he said.
Come and have something?
las l was leaving to enter the thea
ter Booth remarked, III witness the
performance tonight noticed nothing
strange about his demeanor and suisse
quently saw him as l was coming out
for the overture.
Soon the president, his wife, Major
Rathbono 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 be-
came somewhat exercised. l 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 up
l encountered scene shifter, Suangler,
whose office aftcrward learned was to
turn ont the lights in the theater as soon
as the shot was fired. He Distracted my
passage.
What do you want hore?' he de-
manded. In reply 1 told him it was
none of his business. Mr., Wright APP
pearing, spangler lett his position on
the stage alongside the box in which
was the apparatus for eliminating the
theater, closed the lid of the box and
sat upon it to talk to the manager, un-
conscious 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 to
hear it.
Il was just about TO return to the or.
chestra when the crack of revolver
startled me. All was quiet instantly. l
saw man jump from the presidents
box on to the stage. 1t was Booth. He
ran directly toward the door leading
into the alley. This course brought him
right III my path. He had dagger in
his hand, and he waved it threatening
ly. He evidently did not recognize me,
for he appeared like a maniac. His eyes
seemed starting from their sockets, and
his hair was disheyeled
with head down, he ran toward me
and cried, Let me passl' He slashed at
me, and the knife cut through my coat,
vest and Undertaking. He struck
again, the point of 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.
The commotion in the audience was
something terrible. Several actors, in
GLIDING Harry Hawke, rushed out, and
II man who proved to be detective lift
ed me up and said, / arrest you.
" What's this all about?' | asked.
I'm stabbed. was quickly told what
was the matter The thought flashed
across my mind that Booth was the as
sassin.
II was taken to the police station,
and my deposition was received In the
presence Of Mayor Wallach. That was,
l believe, the first intination that they
had of the identity Of the murderer. l |
was at tho trial of the conspirators and |
the second TO give testimony. My wound |
healed in short time. "