Friday April 14 1865 page 7 by ric Gustafson
It was now 8:05 pm. Mary Lincoln was waiting for her husband who was talking to Speaker of the House Schuyler Colfax. The play had already started and they had not left yet. They walk downstairs and out onto the front porch. The presidential carriage was waiting for them. Assistant Charles Forbes helps Mary up the steps into the carriage. The President gets in. The carriage picks up their guests at H and Fifteenth Streets. The carriage travels seven blocks to Ford's Theatre.
It is now 8:25 and Lincoln steps through the front door of the theatre. With bodyguard John Parker in tow, the Lincoln's climb the stairs to their box. After the Lincoln's and their guests sit down, the orchestra play ' Hail to the Chief'. Audience members stand up and cheer. Lincoln quickly stands up and takes a bow.
John Parker's job was to sit in front of the only door going into the President's box. For unknown reasons, he left his post and along with Charles Forbes went to a saloon across the street.
As Lincoln watched the play, nobody was guarding him.
research help: ' Lincoln's Last Days' by Bill O'Reilly and Dwight Zimmerman
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
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