Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-07
BOOTHS CRIME. RECALLED
~ BY AN EYE WITNESS
MAN PLAYED THE ORCHESTRA AT FoRDs THEATRE THE
NIGHT LINCOLN WAS TELLS OF THAT AWFUL TRAGEDY.

In the village of Wakefield. N. Y, there
is an old man to whom the shooting of
President Mckinley comes home with es-
pecial force. He is William Withers, and
he was once the leader of the orchestra
in Ford's theatre, Washington, and while
there he was an eyewitness OF the shooting
Of President Lincoln on the night of
April IA, 1866.
''In life of So years, almost so of which
have been spent as an orchestra leader,
have seen many strange things" he said
TO a New York Sun reporter on the night
Of the shooting of President Mckinley,
land have travelled all over this conti-
nent and Europe; but of all the things
that / recall none remains so indelibly
stamped upon the tablets of my memory
as the scenes of that terrible night. 1t
seems but yesterday since Lincoln died.
Laura Keene's company was at Ford's
theatre, and on that particular night-it
was Good Friday--the play was the
American Cousin with Laura Keene as
the star. 1 was young and enthusiastic
then, and very much wrapped up in my
work / had written and composed song
which l called Honor to Our Soldiers
had engaged quartet and we practiced
time and again. Miss Keene had promised
me that it should be sung between the
acts that night
which was entirely unexpected, very eff
fectually put an end to our plan. The
party consisted of Mr.. and Mrs. Lincoln,
Major Rathbone and the two boys, Tad
and Robert Lincoln. They proceeded to a
box to the right of the stage, and four
teen feet above it's level. AS the party
walked along the passage the vast audi
ence cheered enthusiastically, while the
orchestra struck up Hail to the Chief 1
had heard that played often at the en-
trance of a president to some public gath
ering, and had frequently noted that the
chief executive ignored 1t and failed to
acknowledge that he understood its i'm
port. Not so with Lincoln. He smiled and
bowed politely to orchestra and audience;
then with characteristic modesty, he with
drew to a far corner of the box, so that
his face was shaded by the curtain. He
did not sit in front, as has been erroneous
~ stated.
DRANK WITH BOOTH.
Before the overture Wilkes Booth and
1 had a drink together. and now that the
president was seated, I saw him moving
down the passageway leading to the box.
He seemed to be intently watching the
play
"'what has come over Booth tonight,
1 wonder, that he follows the play so
closely? 1 remarked to a member of the
orchestra.
''This was near the conclusion OF the
first act Just as the curtain was about
to be rung down, ]. B. Wright; the
prornpter. sent word to me that it would
be impossible to produce my song that
night. because Miss Keene was nervous
over the unexpected arrival of the presi-
dent and was fearful lest something
would occur to mar the play. was angry
at this. as Miss Keene had given me
positive promise, and had SAID more
over. that she would aid me as much as
she could. | was naturally eager to see
how the song would take as was some
what proud of it. / made up my mind,
therefore, to go TO the rear of the stage
and demonstrate with Wright. &a
Gust inside the door leading to the
point 1 wished to reach, the box contain
ing the governor which controlled the gas
lets of the, entire building was placed.
Leaning over this box was Spangler,
scene shifter, apparently watching the
play.
"Get out of my way exclaimed
What business have you here?' he de-
81 am going to see Mr. Wright I re-
Joined get out.
'sThe fellow moved away. and before he
had time to return to the box the whistle
blew and he had to make the changes Tor
the dairy scene.
, IT talked with Wright and left him in
disgust. as the best he could do was to
promise that, II possible, the song would
be sung after the closing act, when
knew well that no one would stay to lis
ten to st. l had stepped down one step
of the stairs on my way back to the or
chestra when suddenly a pistol shot rang
out. | stopped wheeled about and saw
the dark figure of a man flying 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 I'm an instant and rushing in my
a.. n.fe a.varw faN
hand.
RECOGNIZES BOOTH.
"As he approached to my horror recog-
nized Wilkes Booth, His face was ter
rible sight. 1t was drawn and white and
his black eyes blazed like fire and seemed
to protrude from his head. His long,
black hair seemed to stand on end.
LET me passl Let me pass!" he said.
II stood stupidity staring at him and said
not a word. All at once he crouched low
and sprang at me. lunging with the dag
ger as he came. 1t cut through my dress