Existing comment:
Booth's Boast:
Before William Withers went to Ford's Theatre to lead the orchestra on April 14, 1865, he stopped in next door at Taltavull's Star Saloon.
According to some sources, Withers ran into John Wilkes Booth, who was drinking and laughing with several friends. One of them joked that Booth would never be as great an actor as his father. Booth smiled a replied, "When I leave the stage for good, I will be the most famous man in America."
The Actor Rehearses for his Role:
John Wilkes Booth knew Ford's Theatre well. As a popular and well-known actor he had access to the theatre at all hours. In fact, since he traveled so frequently, he often received mail at Ford's Theatre.
He also knew every twist and turn and secret passage in the building. Booth, always a consummate professional, supposedly rehearsed the assassination previous to killing the president. He had attended a dress rehearsal of the play that day and planned his escape route.
Ford's Word:
For many years, visitors to Ford's Theatre have shared the rumor that John Wilkes Booth drilled a hole in the door of the presidential theatre box, with which to spy on the president. In fact, John T. Ford, the owner of the theatre, admitted that it was he who had drilled the hole.
According to Ford and ten eyewitnesses, Booth shouted, "sic semper tyrannis" from the Ford's Theatre stage. The phrase, meaning "thus always to tyrants," is Virginia's state motto. |