The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-06
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
An AWFUL NIGHT IN THE NATIONS
HISTORY.
Details Told by an Eye-witne.. Of
the Events Following the Assas-
sinatton-The scene 1T the Death
of some of the PrfrcfpaI Conx,,r.
esors-Their Department 1t the
Gate Of Death.

Acciure's Magazine for the present
month contains an exceedingly interest.
ing article regarding the PURSUIT, and kill
lss OF John Wilkes Booth TIE assassin
|aesaoens Lincoln. and the burial OF
uespcFaoos remains under a slab in
N-e va Pehisenflary at Washington d 4
a careful reading Of the article hax
Drought wildly TO memory the early
spring days OF lss5
ne great war for the preservation Of
our national heritage and the sun,.Sation
Oh the enemies Of free institutions prac-
acans ended In the capituIation OF Gen.
11opeFt T. Lee at AppoTnattox. The sur
render OF Cen Joseph Johnston TO Sher-
man and Gen. Kirby Smiths d,sband-
ment OF his force terminated the greatest
oh All military struggles known to ancient
or modern history.
Ahe end. SO long coming after the loss
Oh SO much precious blood aud so many
glorious lives and billions Of treasure.
niico the nation with unparalleled enfhu-
siasn and gratitude to God that the life
of this fair land had been snared ana
treason made odious' in the highest in
depreciation Of the term
Amid the rejoicing and THANKSGIVING a
great Calamity pefen the nation and a
hsavy pail Rested upon the hearts Of all
patriotic men and women
ine man VINO mad successfully steered
the ship of state TO safe anchorage-the
great and the good Lincoln-even while
peahs OF victory We're ringing In his ears
was cruelty murdered in Ford's theater.
ana the blood of the first martyr presi-
dent bedabbled the dress OF an actress,
Laura keene
On the fatefuI night of April Il. 1855. I
was in the crowded theater occupying a
seat on the main floor. think known as
the iamiiy circle. Lear the entrance. The
play was Our American Cousin" and IL
memory serves me, the last act was be-
Ing played. when about fifteen minutes
past 10 O'Clock a commotioR was ooserv-
cd IN the box occupied by President Lin
coin and man spraug from 1t in full
View or the large audience. In descend
ing 10 the stage he apparently stumbled,
put Immediately regained his equilibrium.
For moment he branGished a dagger and
shouted in stacy voice sic semper ty-
rannus." and then suddenly disappeared
in the flies OF the theater
This was John Wilkes Booths final exit
from the mimic stage. Less than two
weeks later the cowardly assassin was
shot to death.
The scene in the theater after II had be-
come known that the beloved Lincoln
had been shot and would undoubtedly die
peggars description. 1t has never been
truthfuliy portrayed. because no pen
could be found in the long ago equal 10
the task. Both audience and actors were
for brief moment paraiyzed. The transit
ton from amusement 10 genuine horror
and sorrow was so rapid that mems brains
81 med for moment to be palsied, but
wien the awakening from the dreadful
lethargy came and the people began to
realize the enormity OF the offense ana the
great loss the country had sustained. only
one sentiment prevailed, and that was re-
venge- The mass was frenzied.
But few persons could sleep in Washing
ton on the fatefui night Of April II for
the assassination OF the president, coupled
with the attempted assassination OF Sec
rotary w. H. Seward. Impressed the pop
uiace with the idea that they were rest
Ing over a volcano. and that a rebel oath
bound banditti was endeayoring TO ac-
conplish by stealth and murder the over
throw OF the government. Every man
capable OF bearing arms was on the street
and armed to the teeth.
The hotels, clubs and other public places
were the centers o. excited people. and
threats, both loud and deep, were made
10 hang certain weli-knowa rebel SYM
pathizers, who infested the city. Mob
violence was counseied and for a time Il
was feared the prisoners OF war might 20
attacked by an enraged populace.
Fortunately Edwin NJ. Stanton. secre-
tary OF war was at the helm and aisor-
derby gatherings were quickly sGuelched
and peace and quiescence maintained by
the iron hand Of that great military des-
pot.
1t was Stanton who organized the pur-
suit OF the assassin Booth, and 1t was
he upon whom the tranquility OF the cap
ital O. the nation depended. All that fear
full and never to- De forgotten night. with
sleepless vigilance ne watched and labor
ed while other high officials wearied with
anxiety and work snatched moments OF
repose.
This was a crucial period In the history
Of the country. Lee had surrendered and
Washington TO be disbaHded and the war;
ious regiments furnished with transporta
ton 70 Eastern homes. IN the defenses or
Washington were probably 1900 troops.
and there were an equal number % con-
valescents In the hospitals or camps in the
Dist let OF Columbia All these men had
learned TO love the great Lincoln and It
was at the time feared that the news OF
his murder would excite the men TO deeds
of violence.
1t required a masters hand and a mas
terfui mind 10 control the turbulent and
to bride the passions % men. To STAN
tons tact is due the fact that the victor
ious lagl0ns permitted the lax to handle
the arch conSpiratSrs. When enc looks
back on the drcary hours that clustered
around the assaSsins shot and recalls