The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1949-04-14
Gaping
the CAPITAL
With BEN HAYES

Columbus - Arch Donaldson,
so Buttles avenue, a sheet-metal
worker for the Huffman-W Wolfe
Co., has a momento Of Civil War
days discovered several years
ago in a trunk in Noble county.
1t is yellowed copy of a
New York newspaper in which
was first published the news of
the assassination of President
Lincoln. Mr.. Lincoln was shot
81 years ago tonight april 14)
as he sat watching a play in
Ford's theatre in Washington,
D. c.
The newspaper, The New York
Herald of April Is, 1865, probab-
ly was purchased by Solomon j.
Donaldson, Arch's father, who
was a soldier in the Civil War.
Comrade Donaldson, who died in
1907, was a charter member of
the John M. Moseley post of the
Grand Army of the Republic at
Dexter City. He served as COM
mander of the post for one term,
and for many years was officer
of the day at practically all func-
tions.
With all members deceased,
the Dexter City GAR post was
dissolved years ago. But in its
peak year (l890-1900) veterans
from as far away as Sharon and
Lower Salem belonged to it. The
last GAR post in Ohio was dis
banded few weeks ago in AL
lance.
Comrade Donaldson lived most
of his life in Dexter City. He had
several trades-barber, photo
grapher and shoemaker.
The Herald devoted half of it's
front page to the Lincoln story.
The headlines began: Important,
Assassination of President Lin
coin, The President Shot at the
Theatre Last Evening, Secretary
Seward Daggered in His Bed,
but not Mortally Wounded,
Clarence and Frederick Seward
Badly Hurt, Escape of the AS
sassin, Intense Excitement in
Washington, Scene of the Death
bed of Mr.. Lincoln, J. Wilkes
Booth, the Alleged Assassin of
the President
Beneath this was an official
dispatch Secretary of War Edwin
NJ Stanton had sent to Maj. Gen
Dix at New York: This evening
at about $50 p. m. at Ford's
Theatre, the President, while
sitting in his private box with
Mrs. Lincoln. Mrs. Harris and
Major Rathburn, was shot by an
assassin, who suddenly entered
the box and approached behind
the PRESIDENT.
Mr.. Stanton described the
wound, and how Booth leaped tc
the stage and ran out rear
door of the theater.
''The wound is mortal, Mr.
Stanton reported. THE president
has been insensible ever since il
was inflicted, and is now dying"
The secretary of war also gave
Gen. Dix the particulars about
| the stabbing of Mr.. Seward. This
| occurred the same evening in
Mr.. Stewards apartment where
he was i'll. The knife wielder al
SO stabbed one of Mr.. Seward S
| sons. Both recovered.
Other stories from Washing
ton (by telegraph followed this
| official statement. There is in
tense excitement here rumor
has magnified until nearly every
member of the cabinet was kill
ed . Booth shouted The South
Has Been Avenged after shoot
ing the PRESIDENT.
There are several people in
Noble county who were alive
when President Lincoln died. No
doubt they can recall being told
of the great mans death. l have
talked to people near 100 who
saw Lincoln's body lying in state
here at the State House while
enroute to Springfield, ILL.,, where
it was buried.
Mr. Donaldson values the his
torlcal newspaper at a figure
much higher than the original
price-four cents.