Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-09-14

ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN BY
JOHN WILKES BOOTH
lat Ford's theltcr Washington. April Il. 1855
resounded with the music of bands.
The inhabitants were hoarse with
cheering.
At about s o'clock Mr.. and Mrs. Lin
coin started for the carriage. As soon
as they were seated i'm the carriage the
president gave orders to the coachman
TO drive around To the home of senator
Harris for Miss Harris. \ few min
utes later the presidential party of four
perSOnS-the president and Mrs. Lin
coin. Miss Harris and Mr.. RathbOue of
Albany, stepson of Senator Harris ar
rived at the theater and entered the
front and left hand upper private box.
The play. The American Cousin -
was being presented by Laura Kcene.
the famous actress. From the story of
that great crime as told in the life of
Lincoln by John Hay and John q. Nico-
lay the following is taken:
The president had been detained by visitors,
and the play had made some progress when he
arrived. When he appeared in his box. the band
struck up Hail To the Chief" the actors ceased
PLAYING and the audience rose. cheering tumultu-
Ously. The president bowed in acknowledgement
The moon rose that night at 10 o'clock 4 few
minutes before that hour Booth called OF the
underinSS OF the theatcr TO the back door and
lett him there holding mis- horse lie then went
TO saloon near by. took drink OF brandy and.
entering the thrater. pissed rapidly through the
crowd in OF the dress circle and made his
way to the passage leading to the presidents box.
lie showed a card TO 4 servant in Attendance
snd allowed to pass in. lie entered noisecss-
" and. turning. fastened the door with the bar
he had previously made ready without disturbing
sBy OF the occupants Of the box. between whom
and himself there yet remained the slight parti-
tion Of the door, through which he had bored the
hole
The murderer seemed to himself. il was after
ward thought, TO be taking part in a play. Par
tisln hate and the fumes Of brandy had for weeks
kept his brain in a morbid state. lie paused as
if expecting applause.
Holding 4 pistol in one hand and a knife in the
other, he opened the box door. put the pistol 10
the presidents head and fired. Dropping the
weapon, lie took the knife in his right hand. and
when Major Rathbone sprang TO seize him he
struck savagely at him. Major Rathbone received
the blow on his left arm, suffering a wide and
deep wound.
Booth, rushing forward, then placed his left
hand the railing Of the box and yIulted lightly
over to the stage Il was a high leap, but nothing
TO such trained athlete lie in the habit
of introducing what actors call sensational leaps
in his plays.
He would have got safely away but for his
spur catching in the folds OF the Union flag with
which the front Of the box draped. lie fell
on the stage, the torn flag trailing his spur.
but instantly il he had received hurt,
though in fact the fall had broken his leg.
lie turned TO the audience. brhndishing his drip
ping knife and shouting the state motto OF Nir-
ginia, ''SIc Semper Tyrannis." and fled rapidly
the stage and out Of sight.
The wounded president was borne to
the house of Mr.. Petersen, across the
street from the theater. where every
thing within the powers of surgery and
medicine was done to save his life.
1t was at 7:22 Saturday morning,
April IL. that President Lincoln breath
ed his last, closing his eyes as if falling
asleep, his features bearing the repose
of perfect serenity. There was no indi-
cation of pain and only the gradual