The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-07-25
Hon. P. 8. Books.

JOSEPH LANE.
Hon. p. 8. Books.
The Last Sickness and Death Of Booth the
Tragedinn.
The following'letter has been sent ths Philadel-
phia Ledger, by .. correspondent, who gives his
full name, but with whom we are unacquainted =
1t processes to give narrative Of the sickness Of
Junius Brutus Booth, the tragedian, who died =
year or two ago, on the Ohio river. The writer
states that he is the only person who attended the
dying man. and he publishes the account as mat
ter OF information to his friends we as of inter.
been published:
SALEM, n. j, July 10th, 1856.
Messrs Editors-Gentlemen Excuse me for this
intrusion upon your time, this 10 the only m cans
have of making known to the family and the
numerous friends and admirers of the great TRACE
dian J. B. Booth, the circumstances of his death
As am the ouly person that was with him and
nursed him during his short but fatal illness, Iis
tened to his last words and saw him die feel this
information would be gratifying to his family 1t
least, be it ever 80 msanly expressed, or however
humble the source.
oworth from New Orleans to Cincinnati at the
same time that Booth did, though at that time un.
known to me save by reputrtion. We had been
one day out from New Orleans, when I noticed
man walking back and forth In the saloon, with
his hands behind him, his head bowed in deep
thought sat observing him closely trying to re-
CO lect when and where had seen him, for that
had certainly seen that man was fully convinced
A gentleman came up to me and remarked, That
il the tragedian Booth" l then remembered hav-
ing seen him in his last play at the st. Charles
Theatre, N. 0.
The second day out he was absent from the sa
loon and, ON inquiry, found that he was confined
to his state-room very sick OF diarrhBa Well
those boats for that IL aick, at once visited
his room, apoogizing for my intrusion, and offered
NY services 10 him in any manner that might be
useful. After scanning me with . lock of penetra-
tion and surprise that can never forget, he &C.
eepted the offer. On examing his room found
he had been neglected Immediately called the
porter, I'D the room cleaned out, clean linen put
on him and on the bed; ordered some cruel made
for him, as he was too weak for stronger nourish-
ment; but there was no medical attendant at hand,
and he wasted away very fast.
The third day he was taken he could not turn
ever without help saw that he was getting in =
hopeless condition, and thinking to stimulate his
energies, gave him some brandy and water, hay
ing to saturate rag and place 1t between his
teeth, his jaws having become rigid; bat on tast-
ing it he made effort to remove 1t from his lips
and spoke with difficulty, " no more in this world +"
saw that he had no hopes OF living, and felt
anxious in regard to his hope for the future, but
being young man and an entire stranger, felt it
rience; but with . mental prayer that might be
sustained commenced by asking him if he had .
wife he answ cred, with look Of astonishment
and an emphatic certainly have" I then asked
him if he had any message to send to her, but
could not understand him, but he seemed to say,
in his look aud features. 'oh that could talk f-
But poor man, his power of utterance was 20 i'm
paired that he could scarcely utter word distinct;
ly He attempted to tell me Of his travels in Cali
fornia, but could understand nothing but that he
had suffered great deal, and had been exposed
very much.
On the fourth day after he was taken, asked
him if should read to him from my Testament;
he seemed anxious that l should when selected
an encouraging chapter, and read, while he gave
tho deepest attention. then asked him il might
pray for him; his eyes became dim with moisture,
and he signi6ed his consent, when knelt by his
bunk and besought the Great Father Of us all
before whom he was so shortly to appear, 70 re-
ceive him. though at this late hour for the sake Of
Him that died that sinners might trust In his
cy. He seemed very grateful, and attempted to
put his arms around my neck, as / bent oyer him
to smooth bis pillow. But the ifth day, about
O'Clock, be died.
i was with him all the morning, until the bell
rang for dinner, when he repeated the words seve.
raj times, distinctly, pray, pray, pray" accompa-
MED by beseeching look. We were then below
Louisville Ky, where. upon arriving, the captain
procured metallic cofin, and telcsraphed to his
wife in Baltimore to meet the corpse In Cincinnati
which she did, taking to Baltimore for interment.
But - myself was sick by watching on arriving
At Cincinnati, and Immediately left the boat saw
none of his friends, and on recovering went south.
20 have had no opportunity OF making this known
To them. J.HS.