''Abe'' Lincoln's Yarns and Stories - University of Macau Library

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 424"Promise me that you will not go out after night while I am gone," said Mr.Lamon, "particularly to the theatre."Mr. Lincoln turned to Mr. Usher and said: "Usher, this boy is amonomaniac on the subject of my safety. I can hear him or hear of hisbeing around at all times in the night, to prevent somebody from murderingme. He thinks I shall be killed, and we think he is going crazy. What doesany one want to assassinate me for? If any one wants to do so, he can do itany day or night if he is ready to give his life for mine. It is nonsense."Mr. Usher said to Mr. Lincoln that it was well to heed Lamon's warning, ashe was thrown among people from whom he had better opportunities toknow about such matters than almost any one."Well," said Mr. Lincoln to Lamon, "I promise to do the best I can towardit."HOW LINCOLN WAS MURDERED.The assassination of President Lincoln was most carefully planned, even tothe smallest detail. The box set apart for the President's party was a doubleone in the second tier at the left of the stage. The box had two doors withspring locks, but Booth had loosened the screws with which they werefastened so that it was impossible to secure them from the inside. In onedoor he had bored a hole with a gimlet, so that he could see what was goingon inside the box.An employee of the theatre by the name of Spangler, who was anaccomplice of the assassin, had even arranged the seats in the box to suitthe purposes of Booth.On the fateful night the theatre was packed. The Presidential party arrived afew minutes after nine o'clock, and consisted of the President and Mrs.Lincoln, Miss Harris and Major Rathbone, daughter and stepson of SenatorHarris of New York. The immense audience rose to its feet and cheered thePresident as he passed to his box.