Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-09
Description of the fatal bullet IN The
Star of Monday, april IL, 1865.
BY HUDSON CRUNEWALD.

BY HUDSON CRUNEWALD.
THE first public observance of Abraham
Lincolns birthday in Washington
Lincolns birthday anniversary in
Washington on Monday, February IL,
1866 10 months after his tragic DEATH
was chronicled in The Evening Star OF that
day in a news story, which began on the Sec
ond page of the edition and ran two and a half
columns in length. This was the only men
ton of the important event in The Star at
that time an issue of only four pages with six
columns of type to the page. the front page OF
which was made up principally of advertise
mentS and short items, as customary in the
Journals of the COS.
There were no headlines to call attention
10 the story, merely title in capital letters OF
small type, which read: abraham Lincoln
the Memorial Address of George Bancroft"
And there were no pictures, as this was long
before the day of illustrated newspapers What
a contrast to the way that memorable event
would be handled in the press of todayl
And yet what vivid record of the happen
ingS on this historic OCCASION and at the time
of Lncoln's assassination, told in the news
of the day, is to be found in The Stars files of
'65 and So
Written while the news was still news, and
seemingly part of the events themselves, these
accounts contained a certain pognancy and
freshness of viewpoint lacking in histories and
chronologieS prepared at later date. Read
ing them is like ginning information from some
who was actually present at the scene.
GS'T|HE morning opened rather gloomy. with
muddy streets and falling rain. but these
disasters did not prevent lucky ticket holders
for seats in the Representative Hall from max
ing their way to the Capitol to use them" be-
gins the account of the first anniversary cere-
monies for the martyred President Prom the
number OF visitors from Northern cities seeking
seats these tickets were in much demand and as
high as $50 have been offered for the precious
bits of paSteboard. Hackmen, too, were in de-
mand and improved their opportunities charg-
ing from $25 to $50 for their vehicles for the
day in some cases. The great rush was for the
galleries, which were pretty compactly filled by
10 The portion of the floor of the hall
devoted to thu diplomatic corps was also filled
early, the British Minister and Russian Min
lister occupying seats nearly in front. In the
same vicinity Gen. James Watson Webb re-
turned from Brazil
THE clapping of hands from time to time
indicated the entrance of perSonages of note
Such applause was given to Mrs. Grant on her
being escorted to the ladies gallery by Hon. Mr.
WaShburne. A little later a hearty round Of
applause given on the entrance of Gen.
Grant. whose seat, as it happened, was imme-
diately in front of where Gen. Butler was
seated. Gen. Logan, John Minor Bolts, Judge
Advocate General Holt among those no
ticed seated in the range behind Gen. Grant.
THE funeral decorations of the Representa-
tive Hall were simple and in good taste The
clock was draped in back crepe and festoons OF
the same were suspended over the Speakers
chair
AT IL O'Clock the House was called to order
by Speaker Colfax and prayer was delivered by
Rev Mr.. Boynton chaplain. The Speaker then
read letter from Secretary Seward, expressing
his regret at his inability to be present on ac-
count of his health.
At IL minutes past IL the Senate of the
United States was announced and the members
OF that body were shown to their seats, In the
center of the hall. Next was announced the
President and his cabinet and they too, were