The Irish standard., 1901-05-11
Facts in Relation to the Great Tragedy
as Recently Recited by
Gen. O'Beirne
A Military Man Who Accompanied Lincoln
was Severely Wounded by
Wilkes Booth.

if you don't CO., said Mrs. Lincoln.
"Well, then," said the president,
perhaps I'd better go; but I'm not so
mach of stranger to the people here
as General Grant, and not so much of
a hero, either.''
He then asked his son Robert to
accompany them, but he was feeling
fatigued and declined.
Before starting for the theater the
president, as had been his custom
every day after dinner, walked over to
the war department, where he often
remained with Secretary Stanton till
late hour. His escort at such times
was single attendant-one of his
guard. On this evening w. H. Crook
accompanied him. Lincoln had fire.
quently spoken of the possibility of be-
ing killed, but never exhibited fear.
When walking back that evening he
spoke to Crook Of this and added:
"But 1 have confidence in those
around me and believe that the assas-
sin would not escape with his life"
Schuyler Colfax and a gentleman
from Massachusetts were in the red
room when the president returned, and
they remained in conversation with
him until Mrs. Lincoln came in ready
for the theater. Two young friends
the daughter of Senator Ira Harris
and his stepson, Major H. r.. Rathbone
had been invited to take the place
of General and Mrs. Grant, and they
made up the theater party.
! Mr.. Colfax accompanied the party
to the door Of the carriage. On the
way the president again expressed his
regret that the people would be disap-
pointed in not seeing General Grant.
The play had begun when the presi-
dent entered the theater, but the Or
chestra began playing "Hail to the
Chief!' The audience rose and cheered
until Mr.. Lincoln had taken his seat
in the flag g-draped box. Then the play
went on.
The theater was little chilly, and
once Mr.. Lincoln rose, went 60 the rear
of the box and put on his overcoat,
which was hanging on hook there.
Then he resumed his seat and took a
deep interest in the play, laughing
heartily at times.
Mr.. Lincoln sat in large armchair
at the left, Mrs. Lincoln next to him,
Miss Harris next to her, and on the
extreme right Major Rathbone.
Between the acts the president chat.
ted with his wife and young guests
and seemed in particularly high spir.
; its.
It was shortly after the second act
began that man walked quietly down
the aisle to the box where Lincoln sat
That man was John Wilkes Booth, the
actor.
He entered the little passage behind
the boxes, carefully closed the door
and barred it with piece Of plank
which was in a corner. This done, he
was secure from interruption from be-
hind and could give his entire atten'
tion to the work before him-the mur.
der of the president of the United
States.
1t may be stated here that had John
Frederick Parker, the guard whose
business 1t was to protect the president
that night, attended to his duty prop
erly the tragedy would have been
averted. Parker's place was at the
door of the presidents box, and he
stood there at first, but in his curiosity
to see the play he took seat in the
parquet. It was while he was there
that Booth entered the passage. Par
ker has been dead about ten years.
AS soon as Booth had secured the
door of the passage he noiselessly
opened the door of the presidents box
and entered. Every one but he was
intent on the play.
He drew Derringer pistol from his
pocket, pointed it at the head of the
smiling president and fired.
Lincolp's head dropped forward OF
his breast, but he never moved in hit
chair. The bullet had entered hit
brain, and he remained unconscious
from that moment until he died.