The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-04-29
ASSASSINATION OF LINCOLN
FORTY-sECoED ANNIVERSARY
Washington Correspondent Recalls Ehe
Events Surrounding the dissemination
Secretary HAY Al the bedside o. ny
ing President.

President Lincoln was aasassinated
ct Ford's theatre, in Washington,
ID. c., forty-two years ago Friday.
April IA. This is the first time for
many years that the anniversary has
occurred on Friday, the day Of the
week on which the crime was con-
mitted. While there are many
different forms Of observance Of the
birthday Of the martyred president,
there are no exercises Of any charac-
ter 10 mark this day from any other.
The month Of April IL important in
the history Of the United States,
many events Of vital Importance hay-
ing taken place during this particular
division of the year. Both the
revolution and the civil war began
during this month, and the civil war
closed and the assassination Of Presi-
dent Lincoln occurred in April. OF
the great events With the memory of
which April is associated, Lexington
day, the 10Th, and Lincoln day, the
l4th, are probably the most import
ant. The first named date is always
celebrated by one or the other, and
sometimes all, Of the patriotic
societies, but Lincoln day is rarely
ever observed, in this city. ~ least.
says the Washington correspn
The story Of the assassinas ~ OF
the great war president is familisr %
everyone from the oldest citizen Wa
remembers clearly the exciting events
about Easter 1865, TO the school
children, who have just advanced TO
the study Of American history. All
know how the president attended the
performance Of Laura Keene in ''our
American Cousin Rt Fordis theatre
on the night Of April IA. Good
Friday and bow during the intermis-
sion between the acts, John Wilkes
Booth stole into the presidents box
and shot him in the head.
The excitement which followed
was something unlike anything Of the
kind that ever occurred in the his
tory Of the country. The calamity
that had fallen on the country seemed
almost ss great ss that which follow
ed the firing on Fort Sumpter.
The military Immediately took
charge Of the city, and swift measures
we're taken to bring the assassin to
Justice. OF bis escape and pursuit
and fnal death, history shows clear
~, ont OF the eight hours the presi
dent lived after be received the fatal
wound there are few who know clear
". The president was carried out
Of the theatre by members Of bis
party and others who bad volunteered
their services. when the party
reached the sidewalk they were at
loss where to go. On the side Of the
street where the theatre was located
there were a number Of saloons all Of
which were in full blast and on the
other eide row Of residences which
were dark.
A young man living on the top
floor OF the house numbered sic,
Tenth street almost Immediately op.
posite the theatre, heard the con-
motion In the street aud opened the
window. He asked some one 10 the
street what had happened, and on
hearing ran donw stairs to the front
door He opened the door just as
the bearers of the unconscious presi.
dent reached the middle of the street,
aud seeing the open door directed
their footsteps toward the house aud
carried the wounded man into small
room just in the rear Of the small
hall. Here there was found a bed
ON which the president was placed
and there he remained until be died.
This room is preserved In its original
state, aud forms part of the Lincoln
museum into which the HOUSE, has
been converted. The furniture that
was in the room at the time of Lin.
coins death was sold before the
present occupant OF the house Capt.
%. II. oldroyd, took charge. Capt
ain 0ldroyd spent many years Ia col
lectinR relics and articles relating to
the martyred president and be now
has collection OF over 5000 articles
IN the house. The house was pur.
chased BY the government few years
ago aud Captain 0ldrcyd Il permitted
to charge a small admission fee to
those who would view the premises.
There are but four persons who
were at The bedside of President Lin.
coin when be died a few minutes
after Z o'clock on the morning Of
April Is, These are Secretary John
Hay Who was one Of the presidents
priavts secretaries; Colonel Robert
n. Lincoln the presidents oldegt
con; Or. Leal, Of New York, who wAa