Evening star., 1935-04-14

the murderer did or did not say sic
semper tyrannis" has never been con-
clusively settled. and the further we
get away from the time Of the crime
the harder it becomes to prove or dis
prove other details Of the crime.
4 STATEMENT made at the time
by James P. Ferguson was re-
garded then as important, and might
we'll now be taken as authentic.
Mr.. Ferguson, who was accom-
panied to the theater by a lady, said
he saw the presidential party enter
the box and later saw John Wilkes
Booth making his way along the dress
circle to the Presidents box, of which
he had an excellent view. being seated
in the dress circle just opposite it.
next to the private boxes on the other
side of the circle.
"Mr. Ferguson watched for his ap-
pearance in the box" according to
the account. desiring to see who in
that party the actor could be on such
intimate terms with as to feel war
ranted in taking such a liberty.
Whether Booth shut the door of the
little corridor or left it open behind
him. Mr.. Ferguson fears to state pos
itively: but from what he observed of
the door, and for reasons hereafter
to be stated, believes he did shut it.
The shot was the next thing Mr.. F.
remembers. He saw the smoke. then
perceived Booth standing upright,
with both hands raised. but. at that
moment, saw no weapon or anything
else in either. Booth then sprang
to the front Of the box. laid his left
hand on the railing in front. was
checked an instant, evidently by his
coat or pants being caught in some
thing, or held by something. ut was
by Maj. Rathbone.)
"Mr. Ferguson and Booth had met
in the afternoon and conversed, and
were well acquainted with each other,
so that the former Immediately recog-
nized him. Booth stopped two steps
from the door, took of his hat. and.
holding it in his left hand, leaned
against the wall behind him. In this
attitude he remained for half a min
ute; then, adds Mr.. Ferguson, he
stepped down one step. put his hand
on the door of the little corridor
leading to the box. bent his knee
against 1t, the door opened. and Booth
entered. and was for the time hidden
from Mr.. Ferguson's sight.
"A post in front obstructed the view
Of MIR. Ferguson. but Booth soon
changed his position, and again was
clearly seen by Mr.. F. He now had a
knife in his right hand, which he also
laid upon the railing, as he already
had his left, and vaulted out. AS his
legs passed between the fields of the
flags decorating the box, his spur,
which he wore on the right heel,
caught the drapery. and brought it
down. tearing a strip with 1t. When
he let go the railing, he still clutched
the shining knife He crouched as
he fell, falling on one knee, and
putting forth both hands to help him.
self to recover an erect position. which
he did with the rapidity and easy
agility Of an athlete.
Having recovered his equilibrium,
Booth strode across the stage to the
first entrance, passing behind the
actor on the stage Harry Hawk
When he reached the other side OF
the stage. just ere he became invisible
by passing into the entrance, he
looked up. and Mr.. Ferguson says he
heard him say I have done it, and
then lost sight of him.
A S SOON as possible Mr.. Lincoln
"A was removed to Q three-story
and hasemsnt brick house, still stand.