What Booth Said After He Killed Lincoln

NARRATOR: The Lincolns and their guests arrive at Ford in high spirits. The crowd applauds the president. They stop the work. They sit down and the play begins. There comes a time when they are barking up the wrong tree about the oak tree. Approximately 10 minutes after 10, Booth began to climb the stairs leading to the second level of boxes where President Lincoln was located. NARRATOR: As Booth heads toward the presidential box, he is seen but no one stops him. He was well known to everyone, a popular actor, of course, and that allowed Booth to be right behind Lincoln.

NARRATOR: The

booth

is in position at Ford's The

booth

enters the box just as the entire theater erupts in laughter. NARRATOR: As the crowd roars with laughter, Booth takes aim. Until that moment when all the future seemed finally dissipated, the clouds and separated, collapsing. NARRATOR: The bullet enters the back of Lincoln's head. Booth approached him and fired from about three or four inches. Not right against Lincoln's head, but he got close and hit Lincoln in the back of the head like a sledgehammer would. This is the derringer that Booth used on April 14. It is approximately six inches long and weighs about eight ounces.

NARRATOR: Part of Ford's Theater collection, this instrument of history was Booth's personal weapon. Booth probably had this gun for at least five or six years before the murder occurred. He fires a single bullet. So this is, as we say, one and done. Booth dropped the gun and walked to the front of the box with the intention of escaping. Major Rathbone jumped from his seat. He grabbed Booth from behind and pulled him away from the railing. Booth turned under the Major's grip and, for the first time, the men were face to face. And Rathbone later

said

that he was absolutely horrified by the look on Booth's face.

And Booth was stronger than Rathbone, so he was able to free himself and cut Rathbone with a knife. NARRATOR: Booth jumps from the box to the stage. Sic Semper tyrannis! NARRATOR: And he escapes.