Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-14
1T CAUSED BOOTH TO FALL.
Proposed Removal of n Flag to ,bc
National Museuuo

Inc SILK nag which tripped Wilkes Booth
causing him TO break his leg on the niebt
ne shot Abraham Lincoln, has been moved
from the office of the captain OF the watch
ii" inc treasury 10 the corridor I'm the north
east corner of the building The removal
has brought up the question of what oucht
10 be done with the flag. Opinion is grow
ing stronger around the treasury and
among q. A. II. men who know the flag
That Ii ought 10 be sent TO the National
Museum for preservation. Ii is among the
NEST historic relics of this country, and
yet is permitted TO grow dusty and cracked
Tor lack OF the attention which is given
such invaluable relics at the museum.
Inc nag, 1t Will be remembered was pre-
scented to the Treasury Light Guard in 1864
by the ladies of that department and other
friends OF the organization. Just after
Gen. Jubal Earlys raid in the direction of
W ashineton, frightening many people here.
Il battalion OF the treasury. employees was
organized for the additional defons,. of rho
citS' Inc organization maintained its ex-
lstence until after the close Of the war
Two silk flags We're presented by female
friends and admirers. In addition TO the
enc mentioned is another hearing Inc coat
of-arms OF the District of Columbia. This
che is wrapped in a piece of paper. and is
also kept at the treasury.
On April II, lS,i5, two nights before the
assassination of President Lincoln The
Treasury Guard gave an entertainment al
fordS Theater for charitable PURPOSES TIN,
thea;er was beautifully decorated or th.
boxes occupied two nights later hy pr,sf-
dent Lincoln and the White Hous,. Marty
were the two flags mentioned TheN .aye
the boxes such a pretty appearance that
the manager Of tn" theater requested that
the flags be allowed to remain unul the
night CT the 14th, when the President was
expected TO be in attendance at a play The
request was granted. and on the arrival of
the President at the theat.r the fatal night
he commented with pleasure on the deco
ratons, and expressed admiration for the
flag which hangs in the treasury.
In jumping from the box after shooting
the President to the stage below one OF the
SPURS on Booths boot caught in the folds
of the flag, causing him to lose his balance
and fall, thereby breaking his leg The
rent in the flag is shown to visitors, and
has been on exhibition for yeaIs
The flags were returned TO IN. treasury
and the historic one was some years later
placed in glass case. 1t has remained in
the case TO this time. Treasury watchmcn
take as much care as possible of the relic,
but are not acquainted with the scientific
mel mods for handling and preserving such
an article. Capt CobaUgn I'm charge OF
the treasury guard, thinks that the proper
place for the flag is the museum. All that
is necessary to send 1t there is an order
from Secretary Gage, and IL is believed ne
would issue the order should the matter be
properly prese ntcd to him. The organiza-
ton which owned the flag has been out of
existence for years, and there could he no
sentiment about keeping the flag whore it
is now. In the National Museum it would
be open to more visitors than now, as more
people go there than to the treasury.
The flag is free from moths in the glass
case which holds it, hut the heat in the
treasury building is injurious If ii is kept
where it is now ii will be in pieces in a
few years.