East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-04-14
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
WAS SHOT FORTY-ONE
YEARS AGO TONIGHT
Assasslnated In FOrd's Theater, WASH
ingtOn, by John Wilkes Booth, As
he Was Sitting I'm a Box With His
Wife-Died the Next Morning In "a
Private House Nearby lincoln
Was Always Confident That He
Would Not Meet Violent Death.

De II years toillBnt tnat ADranam Lin
coin, president of the United States,
was shot and fatally wounded by
John Wilkes Booth. while witnessing
performance OF "Our American
Cousin" in Ford's theater, in this
city. Strange to say no exercises are
held anywhere, so far as known, to
mark the memorable day.
1t was on Good Friday, the 18th of
April, 1865, that the country, rejoic-
ing over the conclusion Of the civil
war. which had cost so many precious
lives and enormous sacrifices Of
money, was plunged into darkest
gloom by the hands of a fanatical as
sassin. On the morning of that event.
full day President Lincoln had the
first opportunity in many months to
have long talk with his eldest son,
Captain Robert Lincoln, who had been
serving on the staff Of General Grant.
Father and son breakfasted together
at the White House and then had a
long talk concerning the profession
which the young staff officer was to
adopt. 1t was due to President Lin
coins advice that Captain Lincoln
gave up his military career and con-
tinued his study OF law. Later in
the forenoon Lincoln attended the
last meeting OF the cabinet. All the
members were present, excepting Mr..
Seward, the secretary of state, who
had broken his jaw In falling from his
horse a short time before. Not a
single one of the members OF Presi-
dent Lincoln's cabinet is now living.
General Grant was present by invita-
tion and occupied the vacant seat of
| Secretary Seward.
The situation after the close of the
| war was discussed and President
Lincoln spoke with kindness of GEN
eral Lee and expressed himself strong
| ly against harsh measures in the
south. The terms OF Lees surrender
were fully approved. During the af-
ternoon the president received many
visitors and toward evening he was
| tired out. He did not wish to go to
the theater, but did not want to dis
appoint the people who were sure to
crowd the house. as it had been an
nounced that President Lincoln and
General Grant would attend the per-
| formance.
Just before starting for the theater
| President Lincoln paid his customary
! visit to Secretary Stanton. at the war
| department. 1t just happened that
the president, while returning to the
White House, accompanied by Secre-
| tary Stanton, referred to the secre-
tary's often expressed fear that some
assassin would seek the life of the
president. Mr.. Lincoln said he was
confident that his guards would allow
no assassin to get at him and. even II
some fanatic should succeed. he would
not be able to escape with his life.
A few hours later President Lin
coin. with Mrs. Lincoln, his two sons
and Major Rathbone occupied a box
in Ford's theater on the right side OF
the stage and about IA feet above the
level of the stage. II was at the close
of the first act that Booth fired the
fatal shot and leaped from the box
upon the stage, injuring his leg by
falling. having caught his foot in one
|
Before Booth escaped, he stabbed
William S. Withers of Wakefield, who
blocked his way. Withers was ar
rested, but proved his innocence and
positively identified Booth as the as
sassin.
Wounded to death President Lin
coin was carried from the theater
amid scene of indescribable excite.
ment He was taken to house across
the street, occupied by tailor named
Peterson and there he died early Sat
urdayo morning, surrounded by the
members of his family and the Off.
GERS of the cabinet The last one OF
those who were present at Lincoln's
DEATH Secretary John Hay, died last
year. He was at that time one OF
President Lincoln's secretaries. Or
the night of President Lincoln's death
Mr.. Hay became the possessor of the
ring worn by the dead president. He
had II made over with a crystal set.
ting, containing a lock of Presiden
Lincoln's hair. 1t was this ring which
President Roosevelt wore at his in.
auguration, at the suggestion of Mr.