The New York Times/1865/4/15/Second Edition
SECOND EDITION.
SATURDAY, ONE O'CLOCK, P.M.
THE ASSASSINATION.
Additional Details of the Lamentable Event.
The Plot Supposed to Have Originated in Washington.
Positive Identification of J. Wilkes Booth as the Assassin.
THE ATTEMPT TO MURDER MR. SEWARD.
Efforts to Prevent the Escape of the Assassin.
EVERY AVENUE GUARDED.
The assassin of President Lincoln left behind him his hat and a spur.
The hat was picked up in the President's box and has been identified by parties to whom it has been shown as the one belonging to the suspected man, and accurately described as the one belonging to the suspected man by other parties, not allowed to see it before describing it.
The spur was dropped upon the stage, and that also has been identified as the one procured at a stable where the same man hired a horse in the evening.
Two gentlemen who went to the Secretary of War to apprize him of the attack on Mr. Lincoln met at the residence of the former a man muffled in a cloak, who when accosted by them hastened away.
It had been Mr. Stanton's intention to accompany Mr. Lincoln to the theatre, and occupy the same box, but the press of business prevented.
It therefore seems evident that the aim of the plotters was to paralyze the country by at once striking down the head, the heart and the arm of the country.
As soon as the dreadful events were announced in the streets, Superintendent Richards and his assistants were at work to discover teh assassin.
In a few moments the telegraph had aroused the whole police force of the city.
Maj. Wallach and several members of the City Government were soon on the spot and every precaution was taken to preserve order and quiet in the city.
Every street in Washington was patrolled at the request of Mr. Richards.
Gen. Augur sent horses to mount the police.
Every way leading out of Washington was strongly picketed, and every possible avenue of escape was thoroughly guarded.
Steamboats about to depart down the Potomac were stopped.
The Daily Chronicle says:
"As it is suspected that this conspiracy originated in Maryland, the telegraph flashed the mournful news to Baltimore and all the cavalry was immediately put upon active duty. Every road was picketed and every precaution taken to prevent the escape of the assassin. A preliminary examination was made by Messrs. Richards and his assitants. Several persons were called to testify and the evidence as elicited before an informal tribunal, and not under oath, was conclusive to this point. The murderer of President Lincoln was John Wikes Booth. His hat was found in the private box, and identified by several persons who had seen him within the last two days, and the spur which he dropped by accident, after he jumped to the stage, was identified as one of those which he had obtained from the stble where he hired his horse.
This man Booth has played more than once at Ford's Theatre, and is, of course, acquainted with its exits and entrances, and the facility with which he escaped behind the scenes is well understood.
The person who assassinated Secretary Seward left behind him a slouched hat and an old rusty navy revolver. The chambers were broken loose from the barrel, as if done by striking. The loads were drawn from the chambers, one being but a rough piece of lead, and the other balls smaller than the chambers, wrapped in paper, as if to keep them from falling out.
THE DEATH OF THE PRESIDENT.
Proclamation by the Mayor.
Mayor's Office, New-York, April 15, 1865.
Citizens of New York:
The death of the President of the United States may well excite your profound grief and amazement. I respectfully recommend that business be suspended, and that a public mourning for the departed Chief Magistrate be observed throughout the city.
C. GODFREY GUNTHER, Mayor.
GEN. GRANT'S MOVEMENTS.
Philadelphia, Saturday, April 15.
Gen. Grant arrived in this city late last night on his way to Jersey, but was intercepted on his way to Walnut-street wharf, by a dispatch from the office of the Associated Press, and it is supposed he he returned to Washington immediately.
THE PUBLIC GRIEF.
Manifestations in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia, Saturday, Feb. 15.
The most intense horror is excited by the lamentable fate of President Lincoln. The city was decorated with flags and streamers, and every house gave evidence of preparations for the illumination fixed for Monday evening. The public joy gives place to mourning.