European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 14, 1965, Darmstadt, Hesse Stripes daily Magazine old lithograph Deal Elf in in the Prail dint i Box at Fard i Thot a Al moment John we Len Booth fired the Bullet which killed Abraham Une Oln. That Nightie Ford s theater by Robert d. Price a Slaff writer editor s note the War Witover Washington we in revelry. The theater was parked the play was funny. The Prei Dent Lold my. Lin rain he had never Hren happier. Itwari 100 years ago today and the shot soul echoes in history there was Revor care and worship in Washington on Good Friday the 14th of april in 1815. There was revelry and rostering too. One chronicler re marked that Washington had been drunk Tor a week in Celebration of Appomattox and the end of the civil War. The White House shared the nation Joy. President Abraham Lincoln told his Cabinet about an ominous dream one which had come to him previously always on the eve of great events. This time he took it As an Omen of the sur Render of the last sizable Confederate army and saw nothing dire in it. That night he and mrs. I Lncoln went to Ford s theater and held hands As they watched the performance of our american he never had been happier he Friday never was a prosperous Day for the theater but Ford s was packed. Handbills had been distributed advertising or. Lincoln s presence. Genu. S. Grant had been supposed to at tend too but he begged off. So did Secretary of War Edwin Slanton. The audience numbered 1,675, one nonpaying Spectator lurked in the shadows behind the presidential Box. Hewa John Wilkes Booth a passionate advocate of the Southern cause and Enactor who was never quite As Good As he thought he the clock edged past 10, Booth groped through darkness opened thedoor to the Box the lock had been broken two weeks earlier and never fixed. He closed the door behind him propped it shut with a piece of lumber against intrusion from null Lac took a Derringer from his pocket. Booth had timed his Entrance to moment when the stage was almost free of actors when laughter would help drown the sound of nos shot. A horse awaited in the Alley behind . Other conspirators were on their Way to assassinate Secretary of slate William ii. Is Ward and vice pres ident Andrew Johnson. Booth aimed the Derringer at a spot behind the presi Dent s left ear and fired. Booth s Entrance had been perfect Buthe bungled his exit. His Spur caught in a draped Flag As he leaped to the stage and his left ankle snapped As he fell. Still almost before any one knew what was happening he limped to he horse and fled. A manhunt of awesome proportions cornered him on a ram shackle Virginia farm two weeks Lateran a trigger Happy Soldier shot him. Fatally. Seward s assailant broke his pistol on the head of Seward s son and Anion Brace on Seward s neck and jaw. In stalled for injuries when he was throw from his Carriage in a runaway frustrated the knife thrusts. Johnson escaped when the conspirator assigned to him got cold feet and never made a attempt to attack him. But the main objective of the plot was achieved. President Lincoln never had a Chance the Bullet bored Forward and upward into his brain. He was car ried to a Home across the Street fro the theater and lingered through the night while doctors did what they could to ease last fluttering rasping breath came at 7 2 . On saturday april 15.there were Many men of eloquence in the room at the time but Only one found words which linger. Now he belongs to the Ages said Secretary slant As a doctor placed Silver coins on the eyes that had close forever. Mrs. Lincoln s cry was not so historic but it is anguished. Of my god i Hutc Given my husband to Une Oln was err it to a Hom Serois i str i a died in. No morning. Lii wednesday. April 14, 19 the stars and stripes Page ii
