The Portland daily press., 1900-03-12

shot.
Mr.. W. J, Ferguson, the capable lead
ing man Of the "Gtfl from Maxim's"
company has had q long experiences on
the stage and while still man Of middle
age be is entitled to rank with the veter-
ans Of the American drama. Among bis
carly experiences was one which IL go7s
without the say ing. that he will never for
get. 10 fell to his lot to be among those
on the stage Of Ford's theatre In WASH
ington, on the evening of April IL, 1895,
when President Lincoln was assassin ated
by ]. wilkes Booth.
"The assassination Of A braham Lincoln
took place nearly 80 years ago." said Mr..
ferguson to TIMES reporter at the
Falmouth hotel, Saturday AFTERNOON. "I
remember the tragedy well for at that
time was call boy at Bord's theatre.
The father OF Mr.. Ford, who owned the
theatre, and my father were close frien de-
and it was through their acquaintsnoe
that secured my position at that play
house. I had taken part In many amateur
DIuuuCth0uH ouu III thuAu uhu AuhuC ~
showing which attracted some atten ton.
Mr.. Fcrd heard good reports about me
and kept me In mind with the result that
one day was sent for and asked to 60 to
Washington.
ION the evening of April 14th. 1896,
the play ct Eord's was to be "Our Amer
lean Cousin" and was TO take part In
the production. A young man who was
to assume the part which was to NIL had
bsen taken suddenly III so that / was
called upon at short notice to assume his
role. Laura Kesne was the star OF the
play and with her was rshearsing my
part and wss preparing to 60 on to the
stage President Lincoln, accompanied
ny his wife and few friends, entered
the theatre about quarter past nine O'Clock
during the second scene Of the third act
ana as they went Into their box the au-
dienoe started out In q cheer. At frat
we thought that this cheering was on 40
count of the excellent manner In which
the play was being given By thu compa-
ny and several Of US made the remark,
'how well 1t Ia going tonight But We
soon saw that the applause was meant
for the distinguished party.
''Booth passed between Laura KeeEe
and myself while we were rehearsing and
made his way to the box where the Pref
lde initial party were sitting. Everything
was progressing very smoothly when all
at once loud report was heard which
was Immediately followed by the jar OF
the floor as Booth jumped from the box
TO the stage and landed on his left foot.
We afterwards measured the distance
from the box to the stage ana found that
it was about twelve feet. The great au-
disnce was perfectly dumbfCunded for a
minute or two and the silence was only
broken by Booth running out Of the the
atre and jumping on his horse which was
standing outside In walt for him.
could easily hear this horses feet beating
on the oobblestonss. Soon the people be-
gan to whisper that John Wilkes Booth
vas the murderer aud the enormity of the
awful deed which be had committed
dawned upon all. Men pulled out revolt
vers from their pockets and began to ory
where Is heS' Then a search all over the
house was made for the murderer.
"The play was stopped and 1 rang
down the curtain for the last time In that
house. Never since that night has per-
1rmaucs of any kind ever been given.
The governments took charge of the
buildi ng and ordered IL to be closed.
The whole city Of Washington was oiled
with excitement and this bent up condi-
ton of affairs continued until the news
at last came that Booth had been CAP
ture1 and shot to death somewhere down
in Virginia. The man was surely not
right in his head and after he bad COM
mitted the cowArdly act he realized the
fearful crime. he had murdered the
Il resident in moment OF alteration.
There was insanity in the Booth family
and John Wilkes Rooth inherited 1t. he
would certainly never have done that
thing IL he Lad been possessed OF q sound
mind.
'-Of course had hardly arrived at the
ysars of discretion at that time but L WV
idly remember President Lincoln. 10 me
he had face that Was full of character.
He liked the theatre and the society CT
actors and often used TO hear the people
OF the stage ssy that they could always
get an audience with him at tire White
House.
AUOub % yeare nave uOW pdoscu sluto
that memorable Incident and / think
that about every body who was in the pro-
duotion OF 'The American Cousin Is
dead. am the only one Of those who
were In any way connected with the
company or Ford's theatre who l. now ON
the stage. Had John Wilkes Booth walt
ed five minutes longer than he did that
night would have taken part In the
play at that time"
DEATH SENTENCE COMMITTED.