Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-14
President Lincoln Shot Thir-
Twilight Years Ago.
BUCKS" RECOLLECTION
STORY OF TIE EVENTS OF THAT
FATEFUL NIGHT.
Was Doorkeeper at Ford's Theater and
Booth Passed Him Before He
Fired the Shot.

Lincoln was assassfnated by John Wilkes
Booth at Ford's Theater, 10th street.
Every American is familiar with the his
tory of that tragedy. To older Washing
tonians and those who wer !, in the national
capital at the end Of a victorious war that
had threatened the very life and existence
of the government recollections of the 14th
of April. 1865. will be recalled in all vivid
ness.
The old playhouse still stands as re-
minder of one of the darkest days in the
history of the country. The name Of Lin
coin is held in fond remembrance by every
Hberty-lovfng person. To those who were
here on that fateful night will come many
thoughts.
What changes have been wrought in the
little more than third Of century!
The country has passed through periods
Of similar trial and anxiety. Two chief
executives have met death at the hands of
assassins within the time.
Thirty-eight years ago today the war was
practically at an end. Cheering news from
the front had placed every one in good
fettle. The President. as a short relaxation
from duties that were perplexing and mo-
mentous had visited the theater. The story
of that night has been told innumerable
times.
Living in the northeast part of the city
Is a man to whom the thoughts Of that
night come back more wildly than per-
haps to any other Washfngtonian. John
E. Buckingham was dOortender at Ford 8
Theater. A native of Baltimore, call boy
for the elder Booth at the old Front Street
Theater in that city when John Wilkes
and Edwin Booth were going to school. he
had known the family and was personal
friend. Interesting 1t is to hear this old
mamie is nearly seventy-seven years old
tell his recollect1ons.
Mr.. Buckingham's Story.
ut was in the latter part Of 1862 that
became doortender at Fords," Mr.. Buck
ingham said to an Evening Star reporter
this afternoon at his home, 1910 G street
northeast. II came to Washington from
Baltimore at the request of John T. Ford
was on the main door Of the theater at
nights and days I worked at the navy
yard.
1.-The night of the assassination I re-
member with distinctness. The President
and Mrs. Lincoln and Maj. Rathbone and
Miss Mary Harris, daughter Of Senator
Harris of New York, came to the theater
together. passed them within and saw
them disappear into the box where Mr.
Lincoln received the fatal shot. Miss Har-
RS RS was on the arm Of the President. and
bone. The President seemed to be un-
usually bright In appearance
should say 1t was about 20 minutes
after 10 o'clock, and was putting away
my checks and tickets and getting ready
to close up when the show was over, when
heard the noise of a pistol shot. I
should think 1t was about hundred feet
to the door leading to the parquet and
there saw John Wilkes Booth In a STOPPING
position.
II did not see him jump, but saw him
SLOUGH hat he had been wearing he dropped
on the stage. He had a large knife in one
OF his hands. AS he ran across the foot
lights he shouted, Sic semper tyrannis'
Booth rushed through the flats and
made his exit through the back door. I
was confused utterly in the excitement
that followed the shooting of the Presi-
dent. was trying to get the people out
of the house and at once began to I'M
fasten the doors leading to the street. I
remember that some one called to me and
asked who 1t was that had done the shoot
ing and replied 1t was John Wilkes Booth.
AS walked back to the main door Harry
Ford. brother of John Ford the manager,
came up to me and said, calling me by
nickname:
Buck. step out to the curb and get
Mayor Waliach. You will find him there.
Ask him to come in and request the peo-
pie to leave the theater.'
Il found Wallach and he came in. He
wedged his way around through the crowd
to the stage, from which place he adj
dressed the audience. He told them that
the President had been shot and asked
them to leave the theater as quietly as
possible. In short time the house was
empty.
Carried to the Peterson House.
president Lincoln was carried out of
the theater and across the street to the
Peterson house, where he died the follow
ing morning. I recall how the President
looked as he was being taken from the
theater. Several persons carried him. I
opened the door leading to the pavement
and through which the President and his
bearers passed.
81 recall particularly the presence Of
Laura Keene, the actress, in the lobby.
She stood there, back toward the ticket
Office window, and, raising her hand, ex-
claimed:
"'For Gods sake try and capture the
murderer
"In closing the door after President Lin
down to press the bolt, when an army Of
ficer rushed past me with big pistol in
his hand. AS turned to look up the pistol
struck me on the back Of the ear. called
to him, but got no response. don't know
to this day who 1t was. In those days
there were always number of army Of
ficers at the performances. / managed to
close the door. in fact, all the front doors.
In little while provost guard took pos
session of the theater.
81 remember I had a nice new overcoat
which 1 had placed in a closet under the
stairway which Booth went up to reach
the Presidents box. came away without
it that night in the excitement that follow
ed the shooting. The stage carpenter,
g(ess 1t was, two months afterward, told
me one day when met him in the street
that he had saved the overcoat and had
left it in cafe near the theater. I went
there and got it. The coat had been ruin
ed by the rats. and I gave it to colored
fellow who used to work about the theater.
am sorry now, for should appreciate 1t
as relic"
Booth Entered the Theater Five Times.
Mr.. Buckingham said today. as he was
telling his story OF the tragedy that WILKES
Booth entered Fords Theater that night
five different times.
"Booth had the entree to the theater. He
came in and went away when he pleased.
Sometimes he would stand at the door a
minute and chat. The last time he came
into the theater that night, only minute
or SO before he shot the President. he shook
two fingers Of my hand. I had placed my
hand out for ticket. not noticing who it
was He pressed my fingers and said:
Buck. you don't want a ticket
''Booth was drinking that evening He
had vacillated between the theater and a