Editor Post: The Sunday Post in an article about Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Eberle appearing in "Little Women" at Poli's Theater says "Mrs. Eberle left the company a few months before the memorable performance of 'Our American Cousin' at Ford's Theater in this city, the night that Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth. Mr. Eberle, however, was in the cast." I do not think there is anybody who has more information about Ford's Theater and the events connected with the assassination of President Lincoln than myself, and I have never heard of Mr. Eberle being connected with the cast that played in "Our American Cousin." His name was certainly not on the program, a copy of which is inclosed herewith. There is a blank in the place where the name of Rasper, a groom, appears, but I have never heard Mr. Eberle's name mentioned in connection therewith. I am in communication with some of the survivors and they have never mentioned the name of Mr. Eberle in connection with the historical event.
    The members of the cast now living are E. A. Emerson, who played Lord Dundreary; W. J. Ferguson, who played Lieut Vernon; Jeannie Gourla (now Mrs. Struthers), who played Mary Meredith, (the bill says Mary Trenchard); Mrs. J. H. Evans (unless she has died within a year), who played Sharpe, and Helen Truman (now Mrs. J. F. Wynkoop), who played Augusta. I thought that Miss Truman was dead until a few months ago, when I received a letter from her inclosing her picture. Harry Hawk, who played Asa Trenchard, died in England last June. Every now and then somebody is mentioned as being connected with the events of that night but I have found that many of the statements have no foundation in fact.       A. I. MUDD.

Source:

Mudd, A. I., "Members of Cast in Play on Night of Lincoln Tragedy," The Washington Post, Washington, D.C., Monday, 22 January 1917, p. 8.