The Cordova daily times., 1921-02-12

1 An eyewitness or the aSSaSS1na- tion of Abraham Lincoln!" is a phrase that even fifty-odd years has failed to strip of interest. In an of flee of the old national museum building at Washington, one can find George c. Maynard, curator of tech nology. An atmosphere of peace per vades the place until one speaks the magic words which brings to mind that Hateful night at Ford's theater in April, 1865. Then Doctor May nard tells of what he saw.
 That evening"" says Doctor May nard, referring to the night of April 14, 1865, q went to Ford's. AS everybody knows, the play was Our American Cousin My seat was in the first gallery, on level with and in full view of the upper right-hand box which was reserved for Presi. dent Lincoln and his party
 l "The occasion was an unusual one The war had come to be regarded as an interminable conflict, something which would always engulf this coun- try. Those in the theater that night were giving vent to perhaps their first real enthusiasm that the war had actually ended. It was to be gala night, An atmosphere of fes. tiVity pervaded the place. Also, it was Laura Keene's benefit.
 Naturally, it was a patriotic per formance. I still have small scrap of paper on which I wrote the musi- cal program. The Star-Spangled Banner, Red, White and Blue, and Marching Along were played, while the entire company was to have sung Honor to Our Soldiers a patriotic song of the times
 "The president and his party did not arrive before the curtain rose. It was during the dairy scene when they came in. Miss Hart, playing Georgiana, was telling an American joke to MT. Emerson, and he failed to catch the point Twice she said to him; Why, cant you see it?" And he replied: No, I cawn't see it. At this moment the presiden- tial party entered, passing around the south side of the gallery to enter the box. The play was suspended until President Lincoln was seated, the au- dience having risen with one ac- cord and cheered enthusiastically. After some time Georgiana said, with emphasis: Well, everybody can see that and Dundreary drawled They ought to see it, you know
 Tt was about 10:3O when the pis- tol shot which sent the bullet at Lin coin was fired Booth suddenly slid down from the front of the box onto the stage and rushed diagnally across, disappearing. He caught his foot in the flag decorations and made some exclamation, which did not un- derstand, but no such dramatic speech as has pOpularly been ac- credited to him. Had he done any thing of that kind I believe he would have been mobbed before he could have escaped. As it was, J. B. Stew, ard, a man of athletic build, sprang onto the stage and was after Booth immediately.
 There was no panic, such as a fire would have caused The entire au dience was stunned, the real signifi canoe of the tragedy coming only after several minutes. The theater people swarmed upon the stage. An officer In military uniform managed to get to the president by climbing up from the stage into the box, the door having been barred. Laura Keene came quickly through the gal lery with a pitcher of water, lending an odd note to the scene with her costume and makeup. The door of the box by this time was opened and she entered.
 Intense excitement reigned, yet nc lack of self-control. There seemed to be desire to lend whatever assist ance was possible, while the air was electrical with spirit of vengeance against Booth for the crime just com mitted, Several people climbed over seats, myself helping one lady thus In making her exit Some seats were broken. Yet, withal, the people left the theater slowly and quietly. II was about ten minutes before the president was removed, followed by Mrs. Lincoln supported by two gentle men. A crowd of people filled Tenth street.
 "At that time I was a member of the military telegraph corps of the war department, being a cipher oper tho OFf;oo Dor