The Washington times., 1901-09-08

rested upon the public. To trebly COM
pleX the situation, to make men pause
and ask if anarchy was at hand. to revive
the hopes of sons of the defeated Con-
federate factors, to leave the nation
without the hand which had guided its
course for five previous years. came the
wanton, uncalled for and cruel assassin
alton of President Lincoln. Almost lit
orally, for a week after his death, na-
tional life was paralyzed and the people
prostrated.
The President arrived at the theatre at
p. IN. and went to the box reserved for
him. AT 1899. while all were intent on
the play, Booth, nvailing himself of that
freedom of the house usually accorded
at theatres to actors, entered at the front
door stood for a few moments. after
presenting card to the Presidents mes
senger in the passageway behind the
dress circle. surveying the spectacle be-
fore him. He then entered the yestibule
of the Presidents box. shutting the door
behind him. He fastened this door from
the inside by placing a short plank
against it. One step more and he stood
directly behind the President, who had
his eyes intently fixed on the stage. Booth
carried in his hand a pistol and dagger.
He held the pistol close to the back OF
the Presidents head and fired. the ball
piercing the skull behind the left ear, and
after traversing the brain, lodged just
back OF the right eye Mr.. Lincolns head
fell slightly forward and his eyes closed
but he did not cry out He died at l:22
the next morning without speaking.
Booth, having accomplished his aim and
stabbed Major II. R. Rathbone. who tried
to capture him. rushed to the front Of the
leaped over onto the stage. In jumping
his spur caught in the fold of a national
flag draping the Presidents box. This
caused him to fall and sprain his ankle,
but he sprang quickly to his feet. shouted
The South is avenged" and fled by
back door horse was waiting for him.
He mounted and rode out of the city by
the Anacostia Bridge. seeking refuge IN
whites were expected to conceal him and
aid his escape.
At the same hour that Lincoln was shot
down Lewis Payne Powell. confederate
of Booths, made his way into Secretary
Stewards house. where he fractured the
skull of the Secretary's son. thrice
stabbed the Secretary, who was in bed
suffering from injuries received in run
away accident: stabbed a soldier named
Robinson stabbed Major Augustus Sew
ard. another son. and MIR. Haesell, an
attendant on the Secretary.
Booth was traced to a barn near Alex
andria by a posse and Federal troops and
shot down. Payne, Mrs. Surratt, and 9th
er conspirators in the assassination plot
were arrested, tried by court-martial, ana
hanged. The effort 10 make 1t appear
that Jefferson Davis. Jacob Thompson,
Clement c. Clay. and other leaders of the
Confederacy inspired the assassins failed.
Time has revealed that. whatever its
faults may have been, the Government of
the Southern Confederacy never inspired,
authorized or suggested assassination as
an effective instrument of war.
Two attempts We're made to take the
life of Prince Bismarck, one by an idiot
by the name OF Blind, in 1866, and one by
kullman in 1874 Each man was sentenced
to solitary confinement. Dr. Nobling in
1873 attempted to shoot William |, OF Ger
many. and was executed for the offence
Passananti. the same year, made an at
was killed last year. The King was on his
in the carriage with him and the Prime
Minister. Queirville peasant woman
presented a petition. The King bowed and
accepted it. Then Passananti stepped for
ward and handed the King petition, at
the sane time drawing stiletto and a
red flag. He made a lunge at the Kings
throat The King beat him down with his
sword. but not until the Prime Minister
had received a thrust In the hip, which
severed an artery. Passananti was SEN
fenced to prison for life and was carried
to the Porta Feraio. Tuscany, and placed
in dungeon in a lighthouse twenty feet
under the sea. where daylight could never
enter. He is supposed to be still there.
Francisco Otero Gonzalez attempted the
life of Alfonso XIII OF Spain, IN 1873. He
failed and was garroted for the EFFORT. A
wooden frame was placed about mis- neck.