Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-04-13
BOOTH, THE RSR-FHIEF AND THE TAILOR.
FROM 'THE ACTOR on, A PEEP BEHIND
THE CURTAIN"

Booth had been playing at Mobile. At
the close Of his engagement he accepted
an offer from Mr.. Cherry, to play at
town few miles from Louisville, and as
pede s,rianism was one of his Pecutiariiies.
he started Oh foot with the inteAtioa Of
walking the whole distance.
While on his journey he encountered
an officer with runaway slave on horse
back. whom he was conducting to the
town where Booth was to play.
The officer, with his slave had dismoun-
ted at an inn to take breakfast, and left the
horse standing at the door, which Booth
after having concluded that riding was
much easier than. and preferable to. walk
ing mountedand rode away. The horse.
of course. tSefng afterwards missed Booth
was pursued. overtaken and made prison
er. On being questioned relative to his
name, he answered "LoUeit."
Loyett was a notorious horse .thiet, who
had long eluded the officers Of justice, and
for whose apprehension a reward of five
hundred dollars was otfersd:' Previous to
his execution tor he had since been ar
rested and hung). he beqaea,hed his head
to booth, and it was conveyed to the rep
reese NATIVE f"Rfcham"ly Mr.. Rice,tl.e
comedian, ard the skull still adorns The
mansel OF one OF Mr.. Booths apartments,
as curiosity.
Booth, on answering ''Lovett." was i'm
medlaiely rushed upon by several persons,
anxious to secure him first. for the par-
pose of obtaining the reward. He was
conducted back to Louisville, where he
still gave his name as "Lovett," and was
fully committed to Jail, which was under
the charge Of burly individual by the
name Of Major Parsons (uncle to the
Pdrson ParsCns, formerly an actor),
not remarkable to, his acuseness, and
somewhat decrepit from age.
Booth was lodged in the second story,
with several individuals Of considerably
larger dimensions than himself. who as
sisted him in his mischievous prsnks.
Ii was the custom of Parsons to count
his prisoners every morning. before going
to market, with great precision, and while
going through this operation, he always,
during the confinement of Booth, gave the
iragedian an indescrlhsble stare Of con.
tempt, regarding him as his worst but
most important prisoner, and looking care.
fully at his dress in order to identify him
in case Of accident.
One Of the bars Of the prison. window
had become detached, so that it could be
removed will out any difficulty, allowing
any one of moderate dimensions to get
through the aperture.
During the absence Of Parsons, who
daily went 10 market, Booth managed to
get through the window, and by means Of
blankets tied together, was lowered to the
ground. He at once made his way TO
the market. where he met Parsons, who
Immediately recognized him.
"Hollua, said Parsons, '.how the devil
came you here
81 never saw you before, . said the ira
gedian, looking him steadlaslly in the face.
"Slay here moment then. returned
Parsons, and away he went, as fast as he
could conveniently walk to the prison. In
the meantime, Booth had repaired to the
'ail and was hoisted to bis place Of con.
4 hnement.
| Persons entered to see il ''Lovett" was
there, and the first Individual whom he
encountered. was Booth. His hair almost
stood erect with wonder and establishment.
"Why, fellow" said Parsons. dill ! moi
leave you in the market, ten minutes
! since r.
II never saw you before, = said the ira.
] gsdiAn, with his unfaIlerlng gaze, end in