The sun., 1916-12-06
COL. WITHERS DEAD;
HEARD LINCOLN SHOT
Orchestra Leader in FOrd's
Theatre Gave Police De-
tails Of Tragedy.
STABBED BY ASSASSIN
Was Man Who Accused John
Wilkes Booth Immediately
After the Murder.

Col. william withers. who was leader
Of the orchestra In Ford's Theatre In
Washington the night Lincoln was shot
there. died yesterday afternoon in the
Home for I%ncurables. 1920 street and
Third avenue. He was 80 years old. and
musical director of recognized ability.
He IL survived by a sister. Mrs. Louise
Best Of Rye. N. Y.
Col. withers was stabbed by Booth
when he got In the assassin's path after
the shooting. and II vas Col. withers
who gave the first accurate n coherent
Information to he police after the
tragedy. and led them to set out Inn
m%cdiately after Booth. Booth bought Col.
Withcrs a drink Just before the show
started that night. and several times
the orchestra leader saw Booth amhling
about the theatre.
a song called Honor to Our Soldiers
written by Col. Withers. was TO have
been sung that night In honor Of Presi-
dent Lincoln's presence. There was some
delay In staging the song. which was
W W 'eh e"o ~
and after the second act Col. Withers
went back Of the stage to find out about
the delay. This 10 how he told the story
Of the shooting a. he recalled 1t . few
years ago:
When I reached the stass floor I saw
several members Of the company gath
cred In the wings at the stage managers
entrance. among them stage Manager
Wright. In my way vas Edward Spang-
Ter. Il scene shifter. a hanger-on OF the
house. lie stood by the box that con
tanned the gas governor controlling the
entire lighting OF the house. The lid OF
the box was open. I did not think any
thing OF the incident at tho time. but II
was Spanglcr's part in the conspiracy TO
shut of the gas and throw the house
nto darkness the instant no heard
Booths shot.
Il told Spangler TO step inside and
took his place beside the governor. l
closed the lid OF the box and rested my
arm or It while ! began talking to the
stage manager nbou my song. The
stage manager blew tho whistle for the
scene TO change and Spangler was
Obliged to rush of TO his position and
all the persons standing in the entrance
had TO leave. turned to 20 back 10
my place. and had Just taken the nrs;
sep down the stairs leading underneath
the stage when / heard a pistol shot.
IL heard the sound Of something fall
ing out on the sta ge. followed by sounds
Of jumps crossing the foor. There sud
denly appeared through tho entrance a
wild man with n dagger In his hand.
II was Booth. His hair appeared to be
sta ndlng on end. His face had a look
OF ferocity. His eyes were p%rotruding
from their sockets. lie turned and saw
me.
Let mo pass. Let me pass! he eS-
claimed. lie made a rush at me n his
waving dagger cut a cash through the
left side OF my coat. but did not touch
my skin. lie kept pushing on in such a
hysterical manner that l could not get
out of his way. Again the dagger cut
n,o my clothes. this time on my shoulder.
innictlng n slight flesh wound.
Damn you" he cried. and gave me n
tremendous shove. knocking me sprawl
ing to the floor. at the same time making
n lunge at me with the dagger. BY this
time people were yelling and rushing
toward US. There were cries OF XII
him, Lynch him The death blow he
Intended FOR me was never delivered. lie
jerked the stage door open and closed IL
after him, but before he closed II l saw
the head Of "A horse and Peanut John
holding the bride.
AN officer led me onto the stage and
POINTED to the Presidents box. Mr.
Lincoln's body had slid down In the
chair"
col Withers was taken to Police Head
quarters. where he accused John Wilkes
RnptI