The sun., 1901-03-05
THE NIGHT ON WHICH LIN.
COLIN DIED.
Copyright, 1901. The Christian Herald.)

| full life to al close, ana | nave been re-
quested to chronicle what | remember
Of that eventful night. While pursuing
my studies as Il theological student near
the close of the war. some desperate bat
ties were fought, and many thousands
of our men were wounded. The officials
of the Christian Commission at once is
sued a very earnest appeal, calling for
volunteers to care for these wounded and
dying mon. The call was so urgent that
felt it to be my duty to respond I'M
lmediately, and laying aside my studies.
in a few hours | reported for duty at
the headquarters Of the Christian Com
mission at Washington.
A temporary frame structure. known
as the Barracks, had been erected as a
lodging-place for the members of the
Christian Commission, and this build
ing was located only 4 few blocks from
Ford's Theatre. We We're in the city
when the tidings Of Lees surrender was
received The announcement called
forth many and varied expressions of
delight, which were exhibited in mani
fold ways by the raising of innumer-
able flags on I'LL private and public
buildings, the marching of joyful pro-
cessions, the discharge Of cannons, and
grand illuminations. The massive build
ings of the Patent Office, the War, Navy
and other departments, with light re-
liccted from innumerabe talow candles
placed in each small pane of glass, pro-
duced an effect which will never be for
gotten by those who witnessed the sight.
1t was during that eventful week that
President Lincoln gave his grand speech.
his last speech, from the portico of the
White House, in the presence of assem-
bled thousands. As he gratefully re
ferred to the close Of the war, and spoke
of the future bright prospects of our
: country. each uttcrance that fell from
his lips was long and heartily applauded,
and so frequent ut times, We're these
Expressions Of approval on the part of
our ovcrioyed people. that it was diff
cult for him to continue and complete his
address.
The people i'll over the city were boil
: ing over with joyful and patriotic en-.
thusiasln. But who, at that time, il
the midst of their pXuberant demonstra
tion of joy thought that in a very few
hours their joy would give place to sad
i ness and sorrow. and that clouds of mid
o night darkness would hang as a pail ovei
Q the city and the nation. The night fol
! lowing, was sitting in the barracks d
. the Christian Commission, writing a let
! ter to the dear ones ut home, whel
suddenly the door flew open and Il maj
8 rushed in ana cried out: .Presiden
n Lincoln has hrcu ;lssssinated at Ford
Q Theatre" | seized my hat and ran. ant
!, IN about five minutes ! stood at one o
J. the doors Of the theatre, Just as seyera
d men were bearing ont the form of tn,
i. diving President The sad ncws had no
/ yet spread through the city, and TIL
+ crowd outside for awhile was not yer,
large. but ii soon increased in numbc
;ls the people mude their exit from th
theatre. For short distance we nc
companied those who were bearing th
!. body. ana perecying that his head wa
: hanging too low, | placed my hand he
y meath, endeavoring To raise it a little
! And as | walked across tile street
II with my hand cndcavoring to render
u little service. | witnessed il scene tha
s is forever indelibly impressed on m
!. mind. | can see now before me the (ly
i ing form of the President as if it wer
i hut yesterday. The upper portion 0
Y his clothing had been pulled down b,
J the physician or surgeon while in th
Z theatre, for at first they did not know
= what part Of his body had received til,
! fatal shot. He was gaSping for breath
Y but not a sound came from his lipS
y while the blood tl'ickled from the wount
:. to the pavement, The question wa
asked, Where shall we take him. hu
there was very quickly Il door throw
open opposite the theatre, and whc
/. | reached the steps leading to the NJ
i per room. pcrcciving that the passag
!. WAY was narrow and that my service
~ were not needed, and not wishing to il
= trud", | stepped back.
i BY this time an immense crowd ha
!. assembled. and strong men stood in th
i street and cried like children Wor
u then came that Secretary Seward ha
i been asSaSSinated, and that the fo
!. had rallied and was marching into til
:. city The excitement and confusion wci
!, intense.
And the next morning when, shortl
after seven o'clock, all the bells in I'll
city began toling, each stroke plainl
saving he is dead" it seemed as
each person in the city had lost dei
y relative or friend.
"a ] might append inst here an appr,
Sc pirate incident in connection with VIII;
ie have related, and show how d frien
ic Of mine. at that time on account Of mi
Z. taken identity, came near losing h
Of life.
10 The day after the assassination. viii
~ diligent search was being made in Il
~ directions for the murderer, n wcll-know
- friend. nj that time engaged in businc,
Y at Washington, had purchased raj
II road ticket and taken his seat in II
aS car on his way TO New York.
y Descriptions OF Iooth had been prin
he ed and extensively circulated. info
" tunatcly, there was some resemblant
q, between my friend and the assassin, an
y strange TO say, my friend was in IL
50 theatre when the fatal shot was fire
es lie had not been long seated in Il
- car When he perceived Il man Standil
NJ near, gazing ut him, while at the san
~ time he cast occasional glances at
y, painted piece of paper that he. held
IN his hand. lie soon learned that he W.
II being suspected and shadowed by a d
y. tectivc, and Il few moments later he W;
pi Informed that he had been placed und
We arrest In the meantime, il telegram hi
u been forwarded to Baltimore, statil
Sc that the real assassin had been arreste
at and WAS then on the train IN route
re the city.
III The news spread like wild-tilr, and !
Of the time hc reached the station Il fer,
re and angry mob, numbering several thou
he and, had assembled All of my friend
es protcStatioIs to the officers who had hi
ne in charge, with the declaration Of Il
fn. l..,4 Al 1. 4 a.. 4