New-York tribune., 1879-04-25
BOOTHS WOULD-BE ASSASSIN.
GRAY BELIEVED TO BE INSANE.


FURTHER DETAILS OF THE sHooTING-MR. BOOTHS
oOLNEss-GRAY HELD IN $4,000 BAIL.
CHICAGO, April 24.--Mark Gray, who at
tempted to shoot Edwin Booth last night brought
before Justice summerod this morning on charge OF
attempt TO kill After Identification and brief recital
of the facts by Mr. Booth, Gray pleaded guilty Ihe
magistrate remarked that 1t was lucky the charge was
not murder, wheroupon Gray replied 81 wish 1t was"
Bail was at Fixed at 10000 but as Mr. Booth rep
resented that had been told that Gray had expressed
determination to kill him when he was free again, 1t
was made 500 900. and the woud-be assassin won't to
Jail. The Grand Jury being now in session. an indict-
ment and speedy trial probable. The penalty for
the crime from to fourteen years in the Peniten-
tiary.
1t transpres that Gray made an attempt on his own
life about years ago In st. Louis At that time he
was very dssipatod, but has reformed He bought
his revolver yesterday with the express purpose for
when used. Ii is said he Is stagestruek ana H.
tended 10 20 on the stage next Fall
Further particulars of the attempted assassination
are gwen as follows; The play was Richard H."
near the finish OF tho last act when Booth sat in the
glare OF a calcium light, with all the other lights turned
down, and engaged in the sollloquy. He sat a
little 10 the right OF the centre OF the stage, with the
prison on side and the cottage on the other The
intending sat nearly on level with him In the
first balcony and thirty feet distant, with the
pistol concealed in his sleeve and in his left hand holding
a copy OF the play, which he had evidently been
following with the purpose OF firing only ut tho
right time. When the first shot rang out there
was a dead silence. Booth did not stir. But as
second ball came whizzing down and passed
through a piece Of board inch thick, Booth
quietly rose and went toward the wing. rush
wa. Immediately made for Gray, and as there
seemed To he some doubt which was the man,
Booth again stepped out, pointed directly al nm and
saw him taken INTO ody. All this time there was
wild uproar in the house, and shouts OF Throw him
over" Hang him." :, Pltcn him out OF the window
Tho f,Fa nnII ~.
hustled of ito the station and locked up. On
person found the following nc0herent letter,
which clearly indicates his premedltated purpose:
CHICAGO, 20, 1870.
DEAR KATIE: Forgive these brief, but horrible lines
/ left ST. Louis Monday evening The firm was with
would not increase my salary, so made up my lfnq
return to Keokuk, but beng lover OF hne acting
1t would take Booth year Of constant acting
to compete with Llwrenee Barrets RchetieG Tonight
XII me or him. In all shenke spere's (s) works hnd
but man to compete with Booth ana tGat Is fago
Booths IagO he could more play Rteheft than the
dey could be an angel dont no 9, what 70 Go 6yfy
Hamlet Pm sorry came here, for think tue hangman
has rope for me, Remember me to your mother and
| sister. Yours truly, MARK GRAY.
Reading this note, the impression would remain that
the writer a lunatic; but conversng with him, as
he cooly in prison and talked coecedy about his
deed the almost irresistible conclusion drawn from his
manner that he is perfectly and acted with full
knowledge aud welcOnsdertd purpose. MS slory Is
that he belongs Kcokuk but has been travelling for
| N.
Booth wronged friend If his whether man or woman
e does nol state and that becoming cognzaDt of tie
wrong about and half years he determined 10
ayenge It, He only met Booth once since that tne
and the street Ia St Louis when he was not
prepared lie says he fired directly at the ragedian
aud wonders greatly that lie missed him. He regrets
his failure more than he wonders at it, He says
| ne has accompces back of hm and that Booth VIII yet
suffer lie cameee for the express purpose OF killing
Booth Mr. Booth sand last nght that he never heard Of
this man He not aware that he ad been nred NJ
during first excitement and went behind the sceue
to quct wife, who feared that he had been injured
ion sal
theatre others who him Is nat Gray is crazy
THE ANTECEDENTs OF GRAY.
ST. LOUIS, April 24.-Mark Gray, who at
temptcd to assassnate Edwin Booth In Chicago last
night was a clerk in the dry goods house OF scruges.
yandcrvo0rct & Barney Of this city until four days
ago. when he LEFT because he could not obtain an in
crease OF salary Mr. Barney, the Junior member Of
the firm says he good salesman, and that he knew
OF nothing which could lead him TO commit such act
served young man. who made few acquaintances; was
somewhat Infatuated with the stage and frequently
sad he intended 10 become au ac or Mr. Abeilns wltB
whom Gay boarded, and Mrs. Blsings, M whose
bousr he lodged say that he frequently did strange
and foolish things. They thought he was half crazy
He said that all his relatives actors that he came
star actor family ana was gong on the stage 10 40
az his relatives had done. Mrs Brun, cousin. with
whom Gray lived fora long time. says; None of lls
family were ever actors, but he has passion for the
STAGE aud great requentcr OF thcatres HIS f0ther
cicd hoforr he was born, but when he came herc last
Autumn from Keokuck, he SAID: 4" My father Is rot
dead. know DE Is alive, for sat at me table YIN
him. bat viii yet even with him yet" Mrs. Bruin
thinks that d. mad an idea that Booth his father
and that he Is not Responsible Tor some OF ms acts
He once hard bu; for some months past ms con
duet l. said 10 have been exemplary. Inc hatle 10
whom tAe Letter found is addressed is half sister o
Gray.