The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-09-22

work I had written and composed a.
song which l called Honor to Our Sol
dlers. had engaged quartet and we
had practiced time and again. Miss
keene had promised nae that it should
be sung between the acts that night.
The entrance of the presidential party
fectually put an end to our plan The
party consisted of Mr.. and Mrs. Lincoln,
Maj. Rathbone and the two. bows, Tad
ana Ropert Lincoln, They proceeded to
a boX to the right of the stage and four
teen rect above its level. AS the party
walked along the passage the vast audi
ence cheered enthusiastically, while the
orchestra struck up Hail to the Chief
| had heard that played often at the en-
trance. of a president to some public
gathering, and had frequently noted that
the chief executive ignored it and failed
10 acknowledge that he understood its
import. Not so with Lincoln He smiled
and bowed politely to the orchestra and
audience; then, with characteristic mod
oox; SO that his face was shaded by the
curtain. He did not sit in front as has
been enormously stated
HOW great and good and amiable'
Before the overture Wilkes Booth and
l mad had drink together. and now that
the president was seated, I saw him NOV
ilig ooWn the passageway leading to the
the play.
What has come over Booth tonight
wonder that he follows the play so
closely" | remarked to member of the
This was near the conclusion of the
hrst act. Just as the curtain was about
TO be rung down, ]. B. Wright. the
prompter, sent word to me that it would
be impossible to produce my song that
ght, because Miss Keene was ne v us
over the unexpected arrival of the presi-
dent, and was fearful lest somathine
would occur to mar the play. l was an
DC Il
a positive promise, and had said more
over, that she would aid me as much as
she could. / was naturally eager to see
now the song would take, as was some
therefore, to go to the rear of the stage
and demonstrate with Wright
Just inside the door leading to the
point L wished to reach, the box contain
ing the governor which controlled the gas
Jets of the entire building was placed.
Leaning over this box was Spangler. a
scene shifter, apparently watching the
play.
. Get out of my way exclaimed.
WHAT business have you here?' he
demanded
- am going to see Mr. Wright I
reJolned, get out.
THE fellow moved away, and before
he had time to return to the box the
whistle blew and he had to make the
changes for the dairy scene.
Il talked with Wright and left him In
promise that, if possible, the song would
be sung after the closing act, when
Knew we'll that no one would stay to
listen to it. had stepped down one
step or the stairs on my way back to
the orchestra when suddenly a pistol shot
rang out. | stopped, wheeled about. and
saw the dark figure of a man living
through the air from the presidents box
TO the stage. Half way his foot caught
in the flag. and he fell to the floor. He
was up again in an instant and rushing
in my direction He held dagger in his
right hand.
AS ne approached, to my horror, rec
terrible sight 1t was drawn and white,
and his black eyes blazed like fire and
seemed to protrude from his head His
IONS black hair seemed to stand on end
Let me pass! Let me paSs!' he said
stood stupidity staring at him and
said not word. All at once he crouched
low and sprang at me, lunging with the
d&gger as he came, 1t cut through my
dresscoat waistcoast and two shirts but
did not Craze the skin. He sprang again
this time high in the air, and struck me
from above downward. The point of the
weapon buried itself in the back of nv
neck after passing through the coat just
below the collar. and l fell to the floor
With my face to the rear door Booth
leaped oyer me swung the door wide, and
dashed through, siamming it behind him.
AS the shaft of light from the stage
pierced the gloom outside | had a mo-
mentary view of the picture framed by
the darkness. recognized the head and
hand of Peanut John, and the heads
of the two horses he was holding 1 did
not know at that time that Booth had
broken his ankle when he fell. He
moved with remarkable activity
Il was dragged to my feet by a de-
tective whose name I no longer remem-
Der. and led to the front of the stage.
There was great confusion. and the stage
was crowded with people who shouted for
vengeance, screaming: Shoot him! Kill
him!
I" What Is it?' I asked
Look, replied the detective pointing
to the presidents box. l did look and
saw the presidents head hanging over
the rail. His face was very white. Mrs.
Lincoln was wiping his forehead with a
handkerchief while Laura Keene stood
beside her holding pitcher of water
" Has Mr.. Lincoln been shot?' 1 in
CURED
" He has, replied The detective. and
you are under arrest
~ was taken to the police station.
There told my story and assured the
authorities that 1t was Wilkes Booth who