1865. The first and last time a North Carolina Dellinger Cousin and Hoyle Cousin went to the theatre, courtesy of a new boss

 Mr. Wash F. Dellinger, of Beams Mills, this county [Cleveland], never was at a theatre but once in his life, but that one time was enough for him. He saw a tragedy enacted that was not down on the bills, and the memory of it is never absent from his mind.

    Mr. Dellinger and several other Cleveland county men, who were confined in a prison at Washington City, had been released a few days before and obtained jobs as teamsters. On the evening in question he and the late Jonas Hoyle, of Catawba county, concluded to go to a theatre. They had just entered Ford's theatre and were standing just within the entrance when Booth shot Lincoln. They saw Lincoln as the ball struck him, and saw Booth spring from the stage. They, being near the door, got away at once.--

The Hickory NC PRESS 8 February 1894