The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-09-10
Former 7ennessean One of
TlUo Who Sa1U Lincoln Shot

I play. that some one had failed TO come
on or had missed his cue. II seemed "a
me that this wait was a minute; but
doubt II II was that long.
Then there was report; no one in
the audience knew what 1t meant; and
| Just at that time man appeared in the
| center OF the stage. having come from
some place near the side OF the stage
he reached to the floor, seemed to stuble
| and then standing erect, with his right
hand uplifted and holding q dagger In
1t. said something which l. OF course, did
not understand. but which was after
ward learned to be sic Semper Ty-
rannis,' and then passed out to one side.
1T was all very strange to me- and
remember wondering II II was part
OF the play; l remember that my father
thought 1t was.
Musician Averts stampede.
1T was nearly five minutes before
the announcement was made that the
president was shot, and then that vast
crowd started as II II would 30 to the
stage. Luckily they were stopped by
the presence OF mind OF the leader OF
the orchestra, who started the music
that caused halt, and that gave some
one a chance to inform the audience
that the assassin had some to the rear
of the building and had mounted
horse and was on his way TO the long
bridge headed to the south. In the
excitement we finally made our way
back to our hotel
Il distincIy remember the morning
of the f5the OF April. There.was an awful
silence all around II seemed as II the
people walked on their tip-toes on the
sidewalks; there was no sign OF the
gaiety OF the day before; there was no
sound OF music and the buildings 80
gaily decorated the day before were now
being drapped in mourning. The scene
was one l shall never forget. and now
as think of that day when we left the
capital 1t seems as though It was but
shot time since the greatest tragedy
in the history OF our country was en-
acted.
Il want to make this further state |
ment. Now after fifty-lve years this
land OF ours, grown from population
of little less than fifty million to over
one hundred million, from n divided
people to a united people, from a small
and comparatively insignificant nation
to one that stands at the head OF all the
nations of the earth, / see the hand OF
God in 1t all, and my hope and prayer
is that in our present condition OF I'M
rest and dissatisfaction and discord,
may the day soon come when there will
De heard the voice Of Him who stilled
the storm on Galiilee. saying in words
strong and clear Peace, be still'"
Came to Tennessee.
Mr.. Richards was born In Danville.
Pa. His father an experienced iron
worker, came to the United States
from Wales in 1912. The elder Rich
ards became superintendent Of a roll
ing mills company In the coal and iron
district of Pennsylvania. In 1864 his
father and uncles went to Tennessee
and organized what now Is known as
the Knoxville Iron company"
It was at this period that young
Richards worked as reporter in
spondent to several other journals He
covered the front porch" campaign of
William Mckinley at Canton, O., and
followed Bob" Taylor and his brother
AR Taylor when they contested for
Ing the battle Of the brothers for his
papers. To make 1t still more OF fam
lily matter Uncle Nat" Taylor, the
father Of Bob" and AIR was a cam
Later on Mr. R Rii0b bee sGSe' an &C.
countant and 1t was in that capacity
that he settled In Perry county, Ken
lucky, He served as chief clerk to the |
United states army officer in charge |
bodies of soldiers killed in Cuba and |
as result Of that experience he is |
opposed to bringing our |
brave boys back home from where they |
iSSI III france.
Stand or Angry Mob.
The name "Old Dad" is an honorary |
title which he' has worn ever since he |
stood between mob Of Iaborers whose
pay had been held back three months |
and the commissary which they had set |
out to loot. He reasoned with the men, |
the railway officials would |
be on hand with their pay within seven
.y-two hours and concluded by saying:
Now boys, you had better take old |
Dads advice and go home and sleep |
On the matter" They did SO. but the
name stuck
Dad Is known to everybody in tho
'egion. is a member OF the Presbyterian
church and an earnest Sunday school
worker. He has been a member OF the
knights of Pythias for forty-nine years
md expects to be with the boys" In
definitely