The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-05-08
Attempted Assassination Of Edwin
Booth, the Tragedian.

Inc Chicago tribune OF tine Z4tn'
gives the following account Of the at
tempt, the night before, upon the Life
Of the tragedian, Booth:
Shakespeare's historical drama of Richard
IL. came within an ace last evening OF ending
in tragedy in real life. Edwin Booth, who
personated the King, was shot at while ON
ne stage o. MSvi s;.e Thsater BY Marx
would-be assassin was formerly resident Of
Keokuk, but subsequently moved to st. Lou
ID, from where he now halls. In IN interview
with Tribune reporter he claimed that some
years ago Mr.. Booth injured enc of his
friends-whethsr man or woman oman he declined
he had made up his mind to kill him. Al
though he talks quite nationally, the indica-
tons are that he Ii deranged to certain ex-
tent, how far none but experts can determine.
A letter written by him to q young lady In
Keokuk, found ON his person, reads - II he
cism.
THE EvENTTUL SCENE.
The bell rang, the lights had been turned
down, and the curtain rose to plaintive music
upon the third scene Of the fifth act repre-
senting the dungeon Of Pomfret Castle, where
the manner Of his death Is exhibited Those
familiar with the play of Richard H." re-
member the setting Of the scene. The stage
10 darkened. In the fat there IL . small
grated window through which the moonlight
shines. To the right stands . rough table
and stool, at which Richard is discovered. Mr..
Booth, dressed in . somber costume, seated
there, began his speech:
this prison where I i've unto the world"
Tie audience were attentive, and the actor,
Of course, completely engrossed BY bis solilo-
guy, had reached the line
"For NO thought Is contented-"
when the would-be assassin, who was seated
in the part Of the dress-circ1e nearest the
actor, stood up and deliberately fred pistol
shot at Mr.. Booth, which missed its mark,
When this shot was fired, neither
the audience nor Mr.. Booth realized what the
matter was. The former thought It was part
surmised that = pistol belonging to some Of
the audience had gone on by mistake. They
all remained perfectly still until the fellow
again leveled his weapon at Booth, and again
fired, the shot making hole in the nat about
this second discharge the audience became
alive to the situation, and . yell of horror
went up which was heard half block away.
Women screamed and men made o rush for
the villain, some shouting to throw him over
the gallery, while others wanted to lynch
him. Meanwhile John, the officer of the
discharge Of another shot. Mr.. Booth, in the
midst Of the CONSERVATION and excitement,
was apparently undisturbed, and came for
ward to the f0otlights to assure his audience
OF his safety, and pointed out the shooter to
his captors. Fortunately the scene was .
certain color, and this fact only can be as
cfibed as the cause for the bullet missing its
mark. There was no intention evidently ON
the part Of the fellow to miss, because he took
deliberate aim when he fired the first shot, and
was as cool a. man could be when he poi mt
ed his pistol for the second time. He had ap-
parently been during the evening exceeding
ly attentive to what was transpiring on the
stage, and when he found Booth entering
alone on It, with nothing that he could see to
impede his effort, he, without uttering word,
coolly and quietly attempted to carry his
The event, % one can readily imagine,
created . sensation on the stage. The people
behind the scenes, like the audience, paid NO
attention to the first shot. but the second, and
the yelling of the men and women in front,
brought the players from their rooms, and
they ran from one to another in flutter, in
curing what the matter was. Mrs. Booth
was In her husbands dressing-room at tho
time, and some one rushed to her, shouting
that "The people in front are shooting your
husbandW Such an announcement, made
suddenly, Immediately after the reports and
upon the heels of the commotion outside,
nearly paralyzed the poor lady, who was only
treasured by the self-possession and presence
OF mind of Mr.. Booth. who continued the
scene after theman was removed, and finished
When the curtain went down a search was
made for the bullets. One was found which
had gone clear through the fat and landed on
the other side of the stage. The bullet ap-
peared to be No. 80. The other could not
be found, although it had left its mark upon
the scenery.
terrific yell burst, it seemed from every throat
within the walls Of the theater. The piercing
walls OF the women mingled with the angry
cries of the men. The spectator sitting near
est the would-be assassin-and his name could
not be learned-erappledw with him and held
calmly allowed himself to be led toward
the door. The news of the attempt had spread
further and with more rapidity than the re-
ports OF the pistol In front Of the doors
stood an excited and Infatuated crowd of men.
whose numbers augmented each minute as the
out Cries of "Hang him." "Kill him -
Lynch himi" were heard on every hand as
two officers hurried him away in the darkness
toward the Central Station. On the way he
told the officers: ~ don't see how I hap
pened to miss him;" and again he said that he
purpose: II am sorry that didn't take some
lessons In pistol practice before I tried this
thing" Upon reaching the Central Station he
was led into the reception room and immedi-
ate!y searched, while surrounded by officers
and = horde Of eager nexs-gleaners. He APP
In which he 30 suddenly found himself, and sat
In chair with his back sgainst the wall in
anything but . cheerful manner. His mien
betrayed nervousness and an excitement
which he tried hard to suppress. He was
s eacs' ana upon his person was found q
two, with three chambers loaded, and the
other two containing exploded shells. In his
pockets were also found several letters, of one
OF which the following is . verbatim copy:
.n..v., "CHcAeo ed, 1872.
lines; left st. Louis Monday evening. The
firm was With would not increase my salary. 20
1l made up my mind to return to keokuk. But
BootS D'eT Of 1s :;9 to e
take Booth one year Of constant acting to COM
pete with lawrence Rarrett's. Richeluc.' To.
night AZ plays Richard IL Katie, # 10 tonight
works find but one man 70 compete With Booth
and s IT, fhst NJ ought to fcEsteli
angel don't NO what do, every line write
France the floor - though was playing Ham
let lam sorry came here, for think tho
AOk 4MOs WS 70 your
mother and sister. Youn truly,
The above was written in fair hand, bold
and strong at first, but hesitating and nervous
toward the end. It was written In pencil, and
addressed to Miss Katie Davern, Keokuk,
Iowa.
After . short tarry ct the Central he was
led of to the Armory. HI roxts he talked in .
rational and yet careless and Indifferent way.
He again said that he had come to Chicago
purposely to kill Booth, and he was sorry that
he had not done 1t. Reaching the Armory, he
walked boldly, and yet not defantly, up to
the rail, and In reply to the questions Of the
station-keeper said that his name was Mark
Gray, age twenty.three, SINGLE, and . dry
goods salesman BY profession. He was con-
Quoted to Q cell below.
Two Sailors Yarns.
NEAL Dow contributes the following
stories to the "Drawer'' of Harper's
Aagazi.e:
Il 80. 1o~c, Fat 1vlsm ~,rcu nm