Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-03-04

" s sasssF i s' the s , ss;
moments after Booth had fired the
shot that made Lincoln a martyr. Here
is the story as he tells it:
Il 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 BETTING the
occasion | would compose a song. So
did. 1t was entitled: Honor to Our
Soldiers and dedicated to the presi-
dent. This was to be sung between
two of the acts by quartet l had en-
gagged and the entire company. who
were to be attired in the American col
Ors.
LAS I was on my way to the theater
l met John Wilkes Booth just in front
of Geo. Harry's saloon, which adjOined
the theater. 1t was sultry night and
Booth had his overcoat over his arm.
Good evening, Billy he said; come,
have something
las | was leaving to enter the the
alter Booth remarked: I'll witness the
performance tonight l noticed moth
ing strange about his demeanor, and
subsequently saw him as l was COM
ing out for the overture.
Soon the president, his wife, Maj.
Rathbone, 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 and
have it rendered between the second
and third acts. A similar message
was sent me at the close of the second
act. and became somewhat exercised.
/ started to go upon the stage, when
/ saw Booth in the balcony, walking
down the aisle, in the direction of the
presidents box. He was seemingly at
tentive toward the acting. for the cur
tain had gone up again. l encountered
a scene shifter, Spangler, whose office
I afterward learned was to turn out the
lights in the theater as soon as the
shot was fired. He INSTRUCTED my pas
sage.
What do you want here?' he de-
manded. In reply l told him it was
none Of his business. Mr. Wright ap-
pearing, Spangler left his position on
the stage alongside the box in which
was the apparatus for Illuminating the
theater. closed the lid of the box and
sat 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 perform
ance, 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.
I saw man jump from the presidents
box on to the stage. 1t was Booth.
He ran directly toward the door lead
ing into the alley. This course brought
him right in my path. He had a dag
ger in his hand, and he waved il
threateningly. He evidently did not
recognize me, for he appeared like
| maniac, his eyes seemed starting from
their sockets, and his hair was dishey-
eled.
with head down he ran toward me
and cried: Let me pass He slashed
at me and the knife cut through nv
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. I
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 act
ors, including Harry Hawke, rushed
out. and a man who proved to be a de-
| tective lifted me up and said: I ar
rest YOU
"'What's all this about?' I asked.
I'm stabbed l was quickly told what
was the matter. The thought flashed
across my mind that Booth was the
assassin.
Il was taken to the police station and
my deposition was received in the pres
ence of Mayor Wallach. That was. I
believe, the first intimation that they
had If the identity of the murderer. 1
was at the trial of the conspirators.
and the second to give testimony. My
wound healed in a short time"