Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-26
BOOTHS ESCAPE.
Awkward Pistol Practice in His
Richard II.
Mimic Tragedy and a Touch of the
Realistic.

lowing extracts from the report of the
episode which startled that city the
night previous:
TRAGEDY IN EARNEST.
An unsuccessful attempt was made
last evening to assassinate Edwin
Booth while enacting the role of
" Richard II" at McVicker's Thea
ter. The stage of that temple of the
MUSES. was the scene of the attempt,
Mark Gray was the name of the
" star, and it was attended by greater
realistic effects aud attendant concom-
itants than even the mimic tragedy in
progress of presentation could imagine
or devise. During the prison scene in
the fifth act Mr.. Booth makes his
entry from the right of the stage, and,
seating himself at table, bemoans his
fate in the words, The world is pop
ulous-the prison contains nothing but
myself" He had scarcely finished this
sentence when young man, who occu-
pied a seat in the balcony to the left
of the stage, rose from his chair, and,
drawing a pistol, fired twice at the
imprisoned king. At the first report
Mr.. Booth glanced casually at his as
sailant, and taking up his cue, pro
ceeded with the recitation. But one
or two inaudible words dropped from
his lips, when, realizing the situation,
he arose from his place at the table
and retired. The excitement was, of
course, intense. Ladies became, as it
were, paralyzed with fear, and their
attendants, equally apprehensive, en-
deavOred to escort their charges from
the theater. The would-be assassin
remained standing, and observing that
his shots had been without results,
aud while Booth was leaving the stage
attempted to cock his revolver for a
third shot. At this juncture gentle
man named Mills, who was occupying
seat adjacent, seized the would-be
assassin's hand, and
PREVENTED HIS MURDEROUs PUR-
POSE.
Thereupon Gray sought to leave the
theater which he was permitted dur
ing, the existence of the excitement,
to do and had reached the head of the
stirway descending to the lobby when
he was arrested by Detective Morgan,
and escorted to the station. Mr..
Booth impressed the audience with
coolness remarkable under the cir
cumstances, and later in the evening
seemed in no degree apprehensive that
a repetition would be attempted.
The prisoner gave the name of Mark
Gray The search of his person fol-
lowed. The revolver with which he
attempted the deed bore the stamp,
''True Blue" 32 calibre, five barrels,
two Of which we're empty. The pris-
oner had a small amount of money,
and several letters, one of which was
an offer of a place from Yonker Bros.
at Keokuk, Iowa. The most inter
esting and one which is very convinc-
ing as to the mans insanity, is the
following, which was addressed to
Miss Katie Davern, Keokuk, Iowa:
CHICAGO, April %, 1879.
DEAR KATIE: Forgive these brief
bm terrible lines. | left st. Louis
Monday evening. The firm | wac
with would not increase my salary, so |
made upmy mind to return to Keokuk.
But being a lover Of fine acting
came to Chicago to see Booth: but |
was sadly mistaken. 1t would take
Booth one year Of constant acting to
compete with Lawrence Barrett's
Richelieu Tonight he plays Rich
ard ii.
Katie, if go tonight he will kill
me or | him. In all Shakespeare S
works | find but one man to compete
with Booth, and that is Iago.
My Judgment ought to foretell me
that since | call Booth Iago, he could
no more play Richelieu than the devil
could be an angel.
| don't know what TO do. Every
time write | prance the floor as if |
was playing Hamlet. | am sorry | came
here, for ! think the hdngman has a
rope for me. Remember me to your
father aud sisters. Yours truly,
MARK GRAY.
| Gray is young man, % years of
age, light build, about five feet six
inches in height. black eyes, full head
of black hair and mustaohs, dark com
plexioned. When brought from the
? cell he was ordered to take seat in
? the night Office of the Central station,
where be was confronted by reporter
Of the Morning Herald, and question
ed as TO the attempted assassination.
Well, Gray, what have you been
trying to doY' was queried.
We'll, sir, | tried to kill Edwin
Booth" was answered with marked
deliberation.
4 What could your motive be for
this attenpt2"
81 will be silent ag that subject.
That is a secret between Booth and
nae.
p" What is your business, and where
a:e you from :"
day.
" And why did you leave there p
The firm | was with would moi
raise my salary, and SO | decided to 60
to Keokuk and work there. uh~.
" But, Gray, how did you happen tC
make so
! POOR A sHoT?'
: | never used revolver but once
before ! tell you, though, if | haC
another chance | would practice anc
, then shoot straight"