The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-04-13
SAW LINCOLN KILLED
WILLIAM WRITER'S, 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,
lis there anybody living who saw Lin
coin assassinatedy"
Immediately everybody had some
thing to say about somebody else who
had a friend who was at 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.. Withers 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 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. Here is the story as he tells
it in the Washington Post:
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 beftted the
occasion, l would compose song. So
did. 1t was entitled Honor to Our Sol
diers' and dedicated to the president.
This was TO be sung between two Of the
acts by quartet had engaged and the
entire company, who were to be attired
III the American colors.
AS l was on my way to the theater
l met John Wilkes Booth just in front
OF George Harry's saloon, which adj
joined the theater. 1t was sultry
night, and Booth had his overcoat over
his arm. Good evening, Billy, he said
Come and have something's
As was leaving to enter the thea
ter Booth remarked, III witness the
performance tonight. noticed nothing
strange about his demeanor and subse-
quently saw him as | was coming out
for the overture.
Soon the president, his wife, Major
RathbOne 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 |
1t 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. 1 started to |
go upon the stage when saw Booth on
the balcony walking down the aisle in |
the direction of the PRESIDENT box. He |
was seemingly attentive toward the act |
ing, for the curtain had again gone up |
encountered a scene shifter, Spangler, |
whose office | afterward learned was to |
turn out the lights in the theater as soon !
as the shot was fired. He INSTRUCTED my |
passage.
What do you want here?' he de-
manded. In reply 1 told him it was
none of his business. Mr. Wright APP
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, un-
that l 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 "a revolver
startled me- All was quiet instantly. |
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 in my path. He had dagger in
his hand, and he waved it threatening
ly. He evidently did not recognize me,
for be appeared like maniac. His eyes
seemed starting from their sockets, and
his hair was disheveled.
With head down, he ran toward me
and cried, Let me PAST He slashed at
me, and the knife cut through my coat,
vest and underclothing. He struck
again, the point of the weapon penetrat-
ing the back of my neck, and the blow
brought me to the floor. / 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
Guiding Harry Hawke, rushed out, and
a man who proved to be a detective lift
ed me up and said, Il arrest you.
What's this all aboutY | asked
i m stabbed. 1 was quickly told what
was the matter The thought flashed
across my mind that Booth was the as
sassin.
Il was taken to the police station,
and my deposition was received in the
presence of Mayor Wallach. That was,
believe, the first intimation that they
lad of the identity of the murderer. |
vas at the trial of the conspirators and
he second to give testimony. My wound
lealed in a short time. "