Worst Seat in the House

[J. Beckert]

He mentions there is a possibility that Rathbone did indeed see Booth approach Lincoln and, if true, may have had time to stop him. Given this scenario (if true, and that's a big "if" IMO) it made Rathbone's suffering all the worse.

I think we have to put this story right next to was Keene in the box. In one account, Rathbone said he was "focused intently on the stage". In the newspaper interview you found from late April '65 Roger, Clara stated Booth appeared about an hour before, seemed to take a look at the occupant's locations and left. When he returned later, she said Rathbone arose to ask him his business.