Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-28
THE sTAGE-sTRUCK CLERK.
His MOnOmanla for Shakespeare and the
Stage.


startling Intelligence that Mark Gray,
formerly a clerk in the employ of
YOunker Bro, of this city, and a
young man well-known here, had
made an attempt to assassinate Edwin
Booth at McVicker's Theater, in your
city, caused no little sensation here
He has always been very eccentric in
his ideas and conduct, one phase, that
OF being stage-struck, seeming to pre-
dominate. For years he has burdened
his mind and energy with the idea of
becoming an actor, taking Barrett and
Booth as his models At one time
Gray set up the preposterous claim
that he was
A NEAR RELATIVE OF EDWIN BOOTH,
going so far as to leave the impression
upon those who conversed with him
on the subject that he fancied Booth
to be his father. He always read the
New York Clipper, thus stimulating
his morbid tendency to theatricals.
1t was also his custom, when at
YOunker Bros. place of business, to
get off early and go to his room,
where he would spend hours at time
studying and reading Shakespeare.
Often at the store he would fall into
deep study, aud it was necessary to
call to him half dozen times before
his attention could be gained. Booths
name was always mentioned in his
talks, and he seemed to take little in
terest in cOnversing on any subject
except that of the theater, or about
the people
CONNECTED WITH THE STAGE.
1t was Gray's practice to frequently
call at bookstores to secure Booths
picture, and it is related that last sum
mer he exacted promise from Barney
Younker, of New York, who was visit
ing friends in this city, to send him a
photograph Of Booth. Those who
know him best think that he is crazy
on the subject of the stage, and ex-
press the opinion that Gray was led to
attempt the life of Booth by his fren-
zied jealousy, he imagining if Booth
could be killed he would have no rival
on the American stage. Gray was
known here as a quiet, pleasing young
man, who was scarcely ever known to
lose his temper on any occasion. He
never failed to attend theatrical per-
formances while he lived in this city.
His father died before he was born.
HIS REAL SURNAME
is Synes, but his mother remarked in
his infancy, and his stepfather's name
was given him. This is said to have
oppressed the mind of the young man,
and before returning to st. Louis last
fall, Gray attempted to commit suicide
at Keokuk, in the presence of his mo-
ther. He fourished revolver, placed
it at his head and fired, the scar of
the wound still remaining on his fore
head. At that time it was asserted
that he was
A HARD DRINKER.
This affair is supposed to have sobered
him down so that he absolutely abb
stained from drinking while here. The
foolish answers that he has made, and
other things, point very conclusively
to his insanity. His mother, lady
who has always borne an irreproach.
able character, is very much distressed
over the sad occurrence. She was
very much opposed to his leaving
Keokuk at the time he did, and had
not heard from him since last Christ
mas until this affair.
Chicago Herald, 25th.l
Mr.. Booth came into court about
half an hour before Gray's case was
called, and seated himself within the
area usually devoted to the lawyers
and reporters. He was somewhat pale
and suffering of nervous reaction,
which manifested
ITSELF IN TWITCHINGS OF THE
MOUTH.
Occasionally he bit his under lin, as
he met Gray's glance, but further than
that presented generally calm de-
meanOr.
The hearing occupied but few
moments, as Gray declined to make
any defense.
The justice, after stating the
charge, asked "What have you to say
in your defense? How do you plead,
guilty or not guilty?"
Gray replied, without tremor, and
very frankly, Guilty" and as he said
so he turned toward Booth, who bore
his glance steadily,
Summerheld stated that all he could
do was to hold the prisoner to bail for
the Criminal Court.
S. +, Freeze asked leave to make a
statement in the matter, but Sum
merfeld replied that it was better to
hear from Mr.. Booth first.
The latter then said that he was
seated at a table on the east side off
the stage in the prison scene-act five
of Richard II--he heard the snap of a
pistol, but supposed it was the aeci
dental discharge of one about the
stage. After the second shot, hearing
the bullet yhiz past him, he turned in
the direction from which the sound
proceeded, and observed man in the
gallery, whom he identified as the
prisoner, in the act of drawing back a
pistol, preparatory to cooking 1t, and
exclaimed, pointing to the gallery,
FThat's the man He retired from
| the stage to the green-room for the
purpose Of assuring his wife Of his
entire safety. He presently returned
and proceeded with the play. "Some
of the people had told Mrs. Booth,
added he, "that'I had been shot at,
aud she had fallen into faint. All
saw of the shooting was the man in
the posture of cooking a pistol, when
he was arrested. That looks like the
man l saw in the gallery at the time"
The prisoner manifested utter un-
concern, except while he looked at
Mr.. Booth. which he did nj frenuentl