Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-04-24
THE ATTEMPT TO KILL EDWIN
MOO tn.
Furlher Interesstng Particalars.

Further Interesting PARTICULARS
CHICAGO ApTil "a Further particulars OF the
attempted assassination OF Edwin Booth at Nc
Vickers theater, last night are given as fol-
lows: The play was Richard III. Near the nnlsh
OF the last act Booth sat In the glare or
calcium light, with all the other lights turned
down, and was engaged In the snlilfquy, he sat
little 10 the right OF the center or the stage,
with the prison on one side and the cottage on
the other. The intending assassin sat nearly
on level with him I'm the first balcony and
some thirty feet distant with the pistol con-
ceaeo In his sleeve, and In his left hand holding
copy OF the play. which he had evidently been
Following with the dire purpose or firing only at
the right time. When the first shot rang out
there was dead silepce Booth d,d not STIR
but as n secold ball came whizzins down and
plowed It's way through piece OF b ard in the
cottage an inch In thickness, Booth quietly
rose and went toward the wing. A rush was
Immediately made for Gray, and as there
seemed TO be some doubt which was the
man, Booth again stepped out, pointed directly
at him. and saw him taken into custody. All
this time there was a wild uproar In the house,
and shouts of g Throw him over" " Hang him."
I" Pitch him out OF the window" and the like,
were audible. He was, however, speedily hus-
tied of to tfe station and locked up. on his
person was fOuLd
IHE FOLLOWING INcoHkRESr LETTER.
which cleail. Indicates his piemedItated pur-
pose:
"CHIcAGo. 22d, 1s7s-Dear Katie: Forgive
these brief but horrible lines The firm was
with would Lot Increase my salary. SO 1 made
idyer fs Of % ne 90 actng came 1o Chicago 20 see
BoJth. But / was sadly mistaken. IL would
take Booth one y ear OF constant acting to COM
pare with Lawrence Barrett's Richeileu. To-
night he plays Richard l. Katie, IL 1 60 to
night he will kill me or him. In all Shake
speles (sicl works / find but one man ID
compete With Booth, and that Is Iago. NY
judgment ought to foretell me that since call
Booth lag0 be could no more play Richelied
than the devil could be an angel don't no
TanI wnat to- TO DO son Every line write prsace the
sorry came here, for think the hangman has
q rope for ne. Remember me to your mother
and sister. Yours truly, MARX GRAY"
SANE OR INSANE.
main that the writer was an incoherent luna
tic, but conversing with him as he sat coolly In
prison and talked collectedly about his deed.
the almost irresistible conclusion drawn from
his manner is, that he is perfectly sane ana
acted with full knowledge and well-considered
purpose. His story Is that he belongs In Keo-
kuk, but has been travelling for Sc. Louis dry
goods house; that about three years ago Booth
wronged friend OF his whether lady or gen.
Ceman be does not state), and that becoming
years ago he determined to avenge It. He had
only met Booth once since that time, and that
was on tne streets In St. Louis and was not pre-
paIeo. ne says he fired directly at the ira
ss sna1 he missed
wonders at IL. He says he has accompuces
back OF him, and Booth viii yet suffer- He
came here for the express purpose OF killing
Booth. Mr.. Booth said last night that he never
had been fired at during the 1rst excitement.
and went behind the scene to quiet his wife,
who reared he had been injured. The opinion
generally expressed by the attaches OF the the
ater and by others who saw him, is that Gray
Is crazy. He fired two shots, snapped his pls-
t0l again, and was cooking It for fourth trial
when he was seized.