The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-16

CHICAGO, ILL, April 24.-Further
particulars of the attempted assassin
ation of Edwin Booth at McYicker's
Theatre last night ere given as fol-
lows: The play was "Richard IT,"
near the finish Of the last act, when
Booth sat in the glare of calcium
light with all the other lights turned
down and was engaged in the solilo-
guy. He sat little to the right of
the centre of the stage, with the pris-
on on one side and the cottage on the
other. Gray sat nearly on a level
with him, in the first balcony, and
some thirty feet distant, with the pis-
tol concealed in his sleeve, in his lett
hand holding copy of the play,
which he had evidently been follow
ing, intending to fire only at the right
time. When the first SHOT rang out
there was dead silence. Booth did
not stir; but, as a second ball came
whizzing down and ploughed its way
through piece of board in the cot
tage an inch in thickness, he quietly
rose and vent toward the wing.
Gray snapped his pistol again and
was cooking it for fourth attempt
when the rush was made for him.
AS there seemed to be some doubt as
to the man, Booth again stepped
out and pointed directly at him. All
this time there was wild uproar in
the house, and shouts of '"rhrow him
over," "Hang him." "Pitch him out
of the Window" and the like were
heard. He was, however, speedily
hustled of to the station and locked
up. On his person was found the
following incoherent letter, which
clearly indicates his premeditated
purpose:
CHICAGO, 22d, 1879.
DEAR KATIE forgive these brief
but horrible lines. / left st. Louis
Monday evening. The firm ] was
with would not increase my salary, so
I made up my mind TO return to Keo-
kuk; hut, being lover of fine act
ing. came to Chicago to see Booth.
But was sadly mistaken. 1t would
take Booth one year Of constant act.
ing TO compete with Lawrence Bar
rett's Richelieu. Tonight he plays
Richard l. Katie, if 60 tonight
he will kill me or I him. In all
Sheakspere's works I find but one
man to compete with Booth, and that
is Iago. My judgment ought to fore.
tell me that since I call Booth Iago
he could no more play Richelieu than
the devil could be an angel. I don't
know what to do. Every line / write
I prance the flour as though I was
playing hamlet. I am sorry I came
here, for l think the hangman has a
rope for me. Remember me TO your
mother and sister. Yours truly,
MARK GRAY.
Gray says he belongs in Keokuk,
but has been travelling for st. Louis
dry goods house; that about three
years ago Booth wronged friend of
his (whether lady or gentleman he
does not state), and that becoming
cognizant of the wrong about two
and q half years ago, he determined
to ayenge it. He has only met Booth
once since that time, and that was on
the streets of st. Lonis, when he was
not prepared. Gray says that he has
accomplices back of him, and that
Booth will yet suffer. He came here
for the express purpose of killing
Booth. Mr.. Booth was not aware
that he had been fired at, and went
behind the scene to quiet his wife,
who feared he had been injured.
Gray was brought before Justice
Summerfield this morning on a
charge Of attempting to kill and
pleaded guilty. The magistrate res
marked that it was lucky the charge
was not murder, whereupon Gray re-
turned, ~ wish it was" Bail was
at first fixed at $4,000, but as Mr..
Booth represented that he had been
told Gray had expressed determin.
alton to kill him when he was free
again, it was made $4,000. The
penalty for the crime is from one TO
fourteen years in the Penitentiary.
1t has been ascertained that Gray
attempted suicide about three years
ago in St. Louis. At that time he
was very dissipated, but has since re-
formed. He bought his revolver yes
terday with tile express purpose for
which it was used. It is said he is