Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-04-25

familiar to most Of our readers. BY different
wives the elder Booth had four sons, named, in
the order Of heir ages, Junius Brutus, Edwin,
John Wilkes and Joseph. The turee oldest
brothers adopted the stage as profession The
Youngest studied medicine, ard was when last
heard Of somewhere in Georgia.
John Wilkes Booth was born in 1888 oear Bal
timore, in the same vicinity as the noted rebel
Harry Gilmer lie was named after John Wilkes,
famous English tragedian AT the early age Of
sixteen he went upon the stage, aud in 1856 made
a regular debut at Philadelphia. lie nherts the
well known Booth face and figure, and some Of
the dramatic talent Of the family. Alter starring
for awhile in the provinces we find hin, in 1863
GO the leading actor at Montgomery, Alabama.
There be was regarded as trae crazy. 10 1860
be wounded himself in the foot with pistol, and
osme North to recruit bis health.
Soon after bis arrival here, discovering ttat biz
brother Edwin was achieving decided success
he determined upon debut in New York and
made his first appearance in this city at Waeck's
old theater lie opened in Richard the Third,
playing very tamey TIL the fighting scene at the
end Of the drama, when he welded bis Two
handed sword with such vim and yigor as to aston.
.h the audience. The stage combat has never
been better performed. One evening rouse to
intense excitement, be attacked Mr. h l.. lllton,
the Richmond Of the occasion, so violently az to
knock him into the ochestra, nesrly breaking BIZ;
arm. After tso or three nights Of Richard, young
Booth played Shylock, and failed. The unnatural
son, in Schiller's Robbers was his third role, and
after acting H. he vent to Boston where be va,
better received
When the present war began, John Wilkes
Booth avowed himself an ardent seces,onist, and
be always persisted in bis disloyslty. So many
actors shared bis opinions, however, and expressed
them almost as strongly, that his sentiments gave
him no particular nolorety. His brother. Janiu'
an! Edwin were and are most decided Union men
and several quarrsls hay, arisen between tn.
brothers on account Of these differences They
acted together, however, at the Winter Gndsn
on the 23t Of November last, for tie benefit o
the Shakespeare Monument Fund. This was biz
as. public appearanc. IN this city.
| Some months ago John Wilkes Bosth ceased
setting on account Of bronchial affection, suc
since then he Is said 10 have accumulated cons9
cradle money by oil 'peculi.ons in Western
/ Virginia. OF late be has passed larse portion
OF lis time IN Washington, with winch city ant
] lNh ki4chAFIh Ht was ptilthFtl ialAliitis Rbub
right or ten days ago he was IN New York, drink
ing profusey, Rumor says that 10 bic drunken
moods be has often declared bis intention 10 XII
Pre,idolt Lincoln, aud that be often exhibited
ncked bullet, which, be ,aid, ws, to do the deed
Still no one who knew him was prepared to be
leve him cowsrdly assassin.
In person John Wilkes Booth is younger Ga
ruuiis Of Edwin. 1t is needless TO say, then, tha
he IS a rare specimen Of manly beauty No, tail
but most gracefully formed, with regular i.sisre,
l,rge, dark eyes dsrk brown hair and periee
complexion, this young man possesses the charm
Of hdonis and almost the susugtb OF Hercules
lie dresses with exquisite taste, and his ordinar,
manner is quiet, reserved dgnf,d and gentl.
manly. lie is unmarried and much gwen K
amour'. Ii is said that be IS an opiun eater
but it IS only cerisin that he frequently drank t
excess. Although 60 slightly built, niDsty-fv
men out Of 4 hundred would be no match 70
him al fighting. lie is q dead shot, fine fencer
thorough horsem,n, and a master of the dag
ger or bowie knife. His personal bravery la, bee
unqnestioned, and many Of his friends h,ve Won
der.d Why he did not join the rsbsl army, j
which his sympalhe, were already enlisted.
be vas the assassin OF President Lncol., he ha
the nerve the skill with weapons, the knowsdg
Of the exits snd entrance, Of the theaer, and III
acquaintance with the localities about Washington
necessary TO accomplish bis vllsInous purposes