The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1873-11-13
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.
BOOTH STILL LIVES.

TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.
s.y- 1.swnnKEs s BOOTH Still Il! LIVES. f. 7 4,4,.
j The Missouri Repub bean reporter has slearned
from Henry Maury, of ST. Louis, that John
Wilkes Booth is still alive, and an inhabitanto of
the Pelew Islands, small group in the Indian
Ocean, about ten degrees north of the equator.
Maury's informant said of himself: IL -
| "My name," said the narrator "is Carol
Jackson DonelsOn, and I am blood relative of
Andrew Jackson Donelson, who died, recently,
at Memphis, Tenn, (at the Peabody Hotel) for
which city am now en- route to assist in the
settlement of bis estate. During the war be-
tween the sections l was captain in the
Eighth Texas cavalry, known as Terry's Ran
gers, and was at Terry's side when he fell, on
1.-The banks of Green river, in charge upon
fWillich's Germans At the close of the strug-
gle returned to the sea, and in 1866 found my
self in San Francisco: Then l shipped on
board the ship Kate Hooper. as first mate,
having on board as passengers, thirty Chinese
women bound for Shanghai.
After detailing several incidents in his career,
the narrator comes in sight of the Pelew
Islands and continues: e a-.
Knowing from the natives that the 0ccu
pants Of the tents were white men, we pushed
boldly forward, and came upon the encamp-
ment unawares to its occupants. Five men
and one woman made their appearance from
and around the tents The first one that ad-
vanced toward me and extended his hand was
J. Wilkes Booth. There was no mistake as to
his identity, as have been an intimate friend
of his in Montgomery, Ala, years before.
He directed my men where water could be
procured, and then entered into confidential
conversation with me, asked that should not
reveal his name to my men, nor to any one for
period of one year; besides. said he, "the
world will not believe you if you were to say that
j. Wilkes Booth lives. l have lost my identity
among living men. A great Government has
killed me. paid its reward, and live new and
original existence"
His conversation with me was long and earn
est he stating that but one person in his party
knew that be was Booth, and that was the fe-
male who accompanied him. |
"And she," he said, "is my wife,"
How he made his escape from the United
States, he did not reveal, except that be did
not leave Washington City for thirty days after
the assassination. During his wanderings be had
been in Mexico. South America, Africa. Tur-
key Arabia. Rome, and latterly in China.
While in Rome he met John Surratt. In Chi
na he entered the Imperial service under Ward.
the American Irishman who commanded the
Emperor's forces against the rebels OF the Tar.
tar breed, the latter being under the command
of an American from New Orleans, OF the SOU
briquet of Peacock" While under Ward be
was engaged in many battles, and fast gained
the EmperOr's favor, when an accident served
to cause him to leave the country hurriedly by
the command of Ward. Il
While in Shanghai, which has three divisions
or settlements of Observation-Disclosures, En-.
glish and French-his old passion for the stage
he and several English aud Ameri-
can naval officers and residents, with the coun-
tenance of Ward organized dramatic club,
and Booth being the leading spirit, was cast in
the character OF Richard, in the play of "Rich-
ard the I'LL" All were astOnished at the grace
aud bearing of the youthful actor throughout
the performance, until the little scene where
Richard and Richmond fight with such terri
Bile energy, when astonishment gave way to q
wild storm of applause, and high over all the
tumult came the ominous words: Booth!
Booth" meaning. very likely, the elder Booth.
The name, situation, and the startling words,
SO piercngy distinct, caused him to be forget
full where he was. Perhaps the recollection of
the burning hate with which his name was
heralded throughout the world. caused him to
poise his sword and glare like tiger at the
audience. The excitement proved too much
For him, and the curtain fell upon an unfinished
play with living Richard.
Ward waited upon Booth the next day and
informed him that a lurcher and crew awaited
him. No explanations were given, and he set
sail for the Carolina Islands as . temporary
place of abode; but the hard winds and bad
weather caused him to put into Pelew Islands,
where found him. On leaving Booth he gave
ne token which he said his brother Edwin
would recognize. eat
NY departure from Booth was hurried by
he booming of gun from our ship, warning
ls that breeze had sprung up.
I did not reveal the secret of having met
lin until the expiration Of the year, and when
{ was told, it gained no credence, and was
reated as the trivial fiction of a seafarlng man.
After the event of the Pelew Islands, while on
hc coast of New Guinea, / learned from
Americans that the lurcher described had been
qhted on that coast. This is the last heard
If Booth. ,:-.
The token spoken of BY Donaldson was pro-
luced for Maury's inspection and was heavy
,old medal. heavier than q Mexican silver dol,
ar bearing appropriate inscriptions, having.
,een presented BY the citizens of New York to-
BOOTHS father, years before the famous act07'G
and while he was at the apex of his hiss
rionic greatness. Mr.. Maury remarks that ho
inows that. while many people are Of the opin-
on thatJ. Wilkes Booth still lives, themajari.
y taking the accounts Of his capture and ina!
leath as conclusive evidence. believe that he
vas killed en- Garrett's farm BY Boston Corbetss
he says, when evidsnee OF this.
hdracter and weight il brought to Light and
rom . source 30 respectable. it is suthcient 20
Iestroy almost The iifmest believers ofinion.
bat Booth body fills a'dishonofed grave: Ina