The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-01-26

moments AFTER Boom hNu Ni'A t"N
shot that made Lincoln q martyr. Hers |
Is the story as he tells ~:
Il was leader OF the orchestra a. the
time and as the president was TO Wit
ness the performance OF Our American
Cousin. ! thought that gs BETTING the
occasion I would compose a SONG. SO
did II was entitled. Honor TO our
Soldiers and dedicated 10 the preai-
dent This was 10 be sung between
two Of the acts by quartet ! had en-
gagged and the entire company, who
were 10 be atilrod In the American co..
ors.
AS ! was on my way 10 the theaier
I met John wilkes nootA just In front
Of Geo. Harry's saloon. which adioinod
the theater. Il, was q ouliry night and
Booth had hla overcoal over his arm.
Good evening Billy he sald' come
have something
"As was leaving 10 enter the the
alter Booth remarked. TN witness the
Performance tonight noticed moth
FMS strange about bis domcanor. and
/ subsequently saw him as ! was CONF
| ing out Tor the overture.
soon the president. bis wife, Maj.
/ Rathbone. ard Robert and Tad entered
/ their box. ] slgnalci Tor Hall 20 che
/ Chief and the audience chocred and
| the president turned Emilingly and
bowed Then be seated himself and
/ with hla accustomed modcsiy drew a.,
curtains half across The box.
after the first ac' J. =. Wright, th'
stage manager sent me word De wou''
Be unable 20 have the special sons
sung az that time but would try ani
have 90 rendered between the Eoc1n.
and third acts. A similar megang
vas sent me- az go close OF the socon0
reg. and 7 became somewhat exercised
! started 90 30 un1n the stage. whel
I cav Booth On tho balcony. ualkln
down che aisle. 10 the direction OF On
presidents box. Tie was seemingly no
tcn;ive toward the acting. Cor the cur
tain had gone up again. I cncouutcrc
scene shiftcr. spangler. whose one
! afiCrward learned vas % turn out On
lights In the theaicr as soon as m
shot was Cred. he DISTRACTED my pas
sage.
"Whai DO you want veF ne a,
handed In reply I told him Il wa
none OF hls business Mr. Wright az
pcarlng. spangler len his position o
the stage alongside the box In while
was the apparatus for Illuminating N
iheator. ! closed the lil OF the box an
sat upon q 20 talk 20 the manage
unconscious that was spelling n
plan.
"Mr Wright told me the song wou
be sung az the close Of the perform
= anco. and Miss Keene had sent vol
r. 70 the president requesting him 20 ga
10 and hear a.
b. Il was just about % return 10 a
IN orchestra when the crack Of a revolv
- startled me. An was quiet insianil
~ saw a man jump from the president
FL box on TO the stage. Il was Boot
H. he ran directly toward the door lea
:. ing into the alley. This course bruug
n him right IN my path. He had a "a
n ger IN bis hand. and he waved
- thrcatcnlugly. lio evidently dld n
u recovnlre me. Tor De appeared NE
\. maniac. DTS eyes seemed starting fro
their sorke,a. and bis hair was dlsho
olod.
with head down he ran toward I
and cried. let me pass lie slash
Nv 40 me and the knife cut through 0
.r- coat. vest and undercloihlng.
NJ struck again. the point OF the weap
q penetrating the back OF my reck. a
At the blow brought me 20 The aoor.
10 watched him make his exit into I
,ol alley. and caught sight OF the hor
nd held by Peanut John
nd THE commotion In the audler
an was something terrible. Several a
ors, including Harry HawSe. rush
out, and a man Who proved 20 be n
tectlve lifted me up and said: Il
'at rest you
.eh whats an this aboutr ash
'ef I'm stabbed was quickly told wi
was the matter The thought ilasl
across my mind that Booth was
~. assassin.
u was taken 10 the police station q
az my deposition was received IN the pr
cnco OF Mayor Wallach. That wa,
40. believe. the first lutlmatlon that q
had % the ieontliy o. the murderer
81. was az The trial OF the conspirait
Wy and the second 20 give testimony.
wornd healed IN a short time"