Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-21

have statues ready made 10 represent their
Famous men, but so arranged that the head
can be taken off when the originals shall
nave lost their own, and others substituted.
4 Memorable Deed.
The first assassination of this kind that
came home to the hearts of the American
people was that of President Lincoln, by
John Wilkes Booth April II, 1860, at
Ford's Theater in Washington. That is,
the first that deprived them of a chief
magistrate. Even at this day the details
are familiar to all who are old enough to
recall the thrill of horror that shot through
the country at this distardly deed. There
are few survivors of that time who were.
directly or indirectly, connected with that
event. one of these gentleman now re-
siding i'll Washington, retired officer of
the army, afterward wrote an account of
MS experience in the United Service Mag
azlne He was one of three military men
VINO, at the news of the assassination. has
tened TO the headquarters of General All
CUR and induced him to issue an order for
the instant guarding of the houses of vari-
Gus high officials, such as Stanton, etc by
attachments Of soldiers. They had hardly
stated their views he says, and reached
the street again. on their way to their COM
ihanos' when There sounded forth
IN the still air of the night that startling
summons. the long roll which never fails
TO electrlfy the soldier. no matter how deem
the slumber in which he is wrapped
certainly, not more than ten minutes had
eIaDsed since the first notes of the bugle
mad sounded and here, where there was
put empty space few moments be
Tore, row stood in two long lines a thous-
ana men! Such Is the magic of military
qIsclpilhe AS left the house where
Lincoln died. the new day was breaking
Depressed and weary | sought re-
lief in sleep, feeling that | had nassed
,5ttrough the most memorable night of my
Such are the fragments of a survivors,
narrative, more and more interesting as
me ranks Of those veterans are decimated
by death.
Assassins' Weapons.
10 return to the subject of assassins'
weapons 1t has been a moot question with
many as to what became of the pistol with
which Booth shot President Lincoln. The,
American mania for grewsome relics. IT
would seem. would not allow such a SOU
eSnLr OF sorFw TO sink out of sight; yet
seeh mas nearly become its fate. There are
Il lew souvenirs OF MIR Lincoln i'm the Nh
uonal Museum. on the lower floor. iuclud-
ing the very clothes he wore on that fate.
Iui night and one might naturally con-
ciuoe that the weapon used by his SLAYER
would ne also exhibited there Bar no. n
close search for il failed to reveal il there-
nor did any one know its hiding place until
almost by chance it was revealed 10 be
stored away in the basement of that vast
Du1lulng devoted to the affairs of war navy
ana state. 1t seems that this and Other
CHASTITY evidences of the crime were on ey-
hlbltlon until Robert Lincoln's advent when
ne caused their Punishment to the realms
below Not only the pistol a small derrin-
ger, used by Booth but the fatal bullet and
fragments OF skull etc Also the dagger
with which Booth wounded Major Rath-
bone as he attempted to escape from the
theater.
The secret archives of the War Depart-
ment now guard jealousy all these grew
some articles, as well as the weapons found
on Herold and AtZerOdt. the pickax car
ried by Payne and the boot worn by Booth
with its long slit where the doctor c,,t If
off before he dressed the murderer's broken
leg. These are all there but to see them
one must have permission from the head
OF the department TO which they were con-
signed.
Still 81 Mystery.
different fate attended the weapon
with which the assassin Guiteau shot Presi-
dent Garfield, July >, 1851. The murderer
was hanged, as We know after a prolonged
and disgusting exhibition, and at the trial
the pistol was brought in evidence. Shortly
after Justice had been DONE the pistol was
sought, in order to be preserved among the
relics of the police department, but could
not be found. Its whereabouts is sim a
mystery, at least TO the authorities. though
they have an inkling where it went The
name of the man who held 1t last while the
subject was fresh in mind is known, but
as he is dead now, and it was not discov-
cred among his effects, the doubt still eX-
lists as to where ii is. And If any one
should discover a white-handled revolver of
the bulldog variety drifting about owner
less, it might turn out to be historici