Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-02
HARRY HAWK, ACTOR,
WITNESS OF LTNCOLN'S
ASSASSINATION, DEAD
Was in the Cast of "our Ameri-
can Cousin" When Booth Fired
Shot That Shocked
the World
ARRESTED AFTER CRIME
"a Gentleman of the Old School"
Who Had Thrilling
Experience

John b. Lober of 234 Church road, Ard
more has received a cablegram announcing
the death on Sunday last at his home In the
British Channel Island of Jersey of his
cousin, w. Henry Hawk. or as he was
known on the stage In the early days OF
the American drama, Harry Hawk, the
Mr. Hawk was a little past his 10th year
when a stroke of apoplexy killed him He
was born at 5th and Pine streets In Phila-
delphia, April 2s, 1887. He was playing
the comedy lead of Asa Trenchard in Our
American Cousin" as support to Laura
Keene, I'm Fords Theatre, Washington, on
the night of April IA. 1855. when j, Wilkes
Booth startled the world by his assassina-
ton of Abraham Lincoln.
During the late period of his life and up
until about FIVE years ago Harry Hawk
lived with Mr.. Lober in Bryn Mawr and
Ardmore. 1t was about 1911, after a visit
20 the Island of Jersey, that he returned
there to make his permanent home. During
the years that he lived on the Main Line
he Is remembered as a hale, hearty and
sprightly gentleman of the old school. full
of the chivalry, courtesy and the formal
Difference for womankind that was so much
a part of days that are dead.
LoATH TO TALK OF ASSASSINATION.
He was usually, according to Mr. Lober
loath to talk of that tragical April evening
of 81 years ago He had, however. upon
divers occasions spoken to his cousin about
IT, recalling the scene in a crowded theatre
where a gay throng seeking relaxation
from the cares and worry of the days of
reconstruction after Lees surrender. of q
sudden shot as he had just completed the
utterances of certain lines in his part, of
/. the murderer leaping from the box. falling
as his spur caught in the folds of the Stars
and Stripes and of nation instantly
plunged into mourning for a beloved and
honored President
Mr.. Lober, in speaking of his memory of
the tale as Mr.. Hawk told 1t. said
Harry Hawk was an old.time actor and
an old school gentleman of the genus now
virtually extinct. During the Civil War
he, with John Dyott, supported Laura Keene
in Northern cities. 1t was the custom of
the time for the leads in a selected play to
visit different cities, and there, in coniunc.
ton with the members of the stock company
of a given theatre to present the play.
DID NOT REALIZE TRAGEDY.
t"As near as 1 can remember, here are Mr..
Hawks own words of what occurred:
when the assassination occurred / was
alone on the stage, but in pursuance of the
business of my part with my back to the
President, so that did not the actual
shooting. According to the plot, Mrs.
Muzzy, who played the part of Mrs. Mount
Chesngton has just discovered that l, as
the American Cousin, had destroyed will
which gave me large fortune, and in
anger cried "Sir, It Is plain to be seen that
you are not accustomed to the manners of
polite society," she disappeared from
the sight of the audience. Not accustomed
to the manners of polite society?" my lines
made me reply, in calling after her. well, I
know enough to turn you inside out,
woman" a,,
GAS this word of an uncompleted sen.
tence left my lips heard a shot, hesltated
In my lines and rapidly concluding some
one had fired a pistol by mistake In the
property room, turned to go on with my
part, not realizing what had happened. AS
/ faced the front in a second of tense silence,
my lips framed to continue my lines, I
heard the words "Sic Semper Tyrannis,"
which were Instantly followed by an inde-
scrbable scene of wild confusion.
"'Booth. whom l knew personally, with
whom / had lunched that very day, was
advancing across the STACEY dragging his
leg. dagger in his hand. 1 thought he
was going to attack me in a sudden fit of
insanity. and backed away and off the stage
as Booth disappeared in the wings. / inn
mediately returned to the view of the
audience. to have my arm grasped by Col
onel Stewart, who had leaped over the
footlights and who shouted
"'''Where is that man?"
ARRESTED IN THE GREENRooM.
'''Realizing the tragedy without having
grasped its details, l replied. by God, 1
don't know" and then, without knowing
how reached 1t, found myself in the green
ROOM
. I was shortly afterward arrested, taken
before Mayor Wallach and held under
$1,000 bail as a witness. My bail was fur
nished by Doctor Brown, the undertaken,
who afterward embalmed the body of Mr.,
Lincoln. Doctor Brown took me to his
home. and about O'Clock in the morning
1 was taken under escort of six soldiers
md sergeant to the Peterson residence,