Every once in a while…it is fun to go out on the town. We were so excited about seeing the show. I truly love Broadway Shows, and the Theater in general.
We had a few friends join us there. We went to see another friend of ours…. John Matthews… also an actor in the play. It was his big break in an acclaimed theater performance. His character’s name was Mr. Coyle. He played an attorney of all things. He was so great! The play was really entertaining too.
All of the actors and actresses were right on. Timing was perfect. The play was hilarious. And then, just as Harry Hawk delivered on of the funniest lines of the play…. It was something like….
“Don’t know the manners of good society, eh? Well, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, old gal; you sockdologizing old man-trap!” Hysterical laughter began permeating the theater.
And then I heard that sound. It sounded like a huge firecracker… or … a gun shot.
A man leaped from the balcony above, and right onto the stage. He yelled something, but I couldn’t make out what he said.
The next thing I COULD understand…. hit me like someone sucker-punched my gut. “President Lincoln’s been shot!”
I loved President Lincoln. I thought he was doing so much good for our country, and for the rights of the black people in the South. Well, everywhere really.
But not everyone agreed.
I guess that is one way it might have happen…..on April 14, 1865. John Wilkes Booth, a famous actor and Confederate sympathizer, fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln at a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. The attack came only five days after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his massive army at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil War.
Lincoln could not be saved and would die during the night.
He was officially pronounced dead at 7:22 a.m.
One of the saddest days in American History.
And today…. 150 years later… we are still struggling with simple human rights. Here in the U.S. …. and abroad. Abe, we sure could use another round of you.