Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-10-20

Edwin Booth Depicted as n
Monster.
rn tho Editor ohloaro Tribunel

Au0 nAllll AlAGOA OA0ALAo W AAOW
something fthe history Of the Booth
family" Not all the interior work
ings and mental processes of the in
dividual members thereof, for that
only can be obtained by the news
gatherer, and he distinctly disclaims
any such source Of knowledge. In
fact, the other member of the family
and her friends are, it appears to the
writer, foolishly reticent regarding
this whole sad matter. ~consoling them
selves with the thought that the
scandalous conduct of Booth has not
become a matter o common notoriety,
when, in fact, nearly every returning
steamer from Liverpool has brought
reports Of the very worst nature on
corning his heartless neglect and outs
rageousabuse of his heart-broken wife,
then sick unto death, who lett a sick
bed in this country a year before to
follow him over Europe, in the vain
attempt to save him from becoming a
complete moral wreck; and in pursu-
ance of that wifely endeavor she was
dragged through the rain and chilly
mists over Ireland and Scotland-not
in a leisurely, comfortable manner, as
becomes a family travelling for pleas
ure, but in the rain, on top Of vehicles,
far into the nights, as though designed
to put tho finishing stroke to a life
now nearly spent in watching over his
every interest, personal, pecuniaryand
moral, and in training and educating
his daughter, who now, Booth
like, repays this devotion of
a lifetime by explaining every
where as a reason why she is not
permitted to enter her presence Of late,
that her poor mamma is quite out Of
her mind
Finally, in Edinburgh, utterly
broken down and unable to 60 farther
a physician.was called IN, who, alarmed
at her critical condition, demanded
additional counsel. They advised
Booth of the danger his wife was in,
and insisted hat he should immedi-
ately take her to the south of France
or to some genial climate where she
could be restored to health. Did he
do this? No; he had his tour laid out
to be taken for the benefit Of mis-
daughter, and when hal was COM
pleted-he Of course went to the south
Of France, yeu will sag; in fact, be
went to chilly, foggy London, and set
tied down to enjoy himself. Eminent
counsel was here called, and they at
once pronounced the case hopeless.
He left her there under the care of
strangers-hirod nurses-and had a
rollicking time at the clubs, varying
the amusements by returning in the
small hours Of the morning and ours
ing his sick wife and making himself
generally disagreeable. This is mat
ter Of such common nOtoriety in New
York as to be old. Returning steam
or passengers have talked it at the no
tel tables publicly.
AT length, from the abuse and treat
ment and the consciousness that her
husband, whom she still dearly loved,
was only waiting and anxious for her
to die, reason quilted her throne for a
season, and then in Ler wanderings
her lips were for the first time IN.
sealed to mortal ears.
Her mother, hearing of these things
from her physicians, went to her
daughter, nursed, soothed, eonsoled,
and brought back the wandering rea.
son, and since the return to America
that intellect has stone with its pris-
tine brilliancy, undimmed by ever a
passing cloud. The body is wasting
under the attacks of the throat and
lung disease brought on by exposure
to the mista and rains of "a trip to
Europe for my wife's health" All of
her physicians have pronounced her
case hopeless.
Booths health, so long as he can
eat four solid meals a day land if he
will cease taking fluid morphine" |
see they call it now, need cause his
friends no concern. They are advised
to watch his moral health, now that
the ceaseless watcher cannot be beside
him.
As to the convenient mother-in.
law, it is unnecessary to state that she
and her esteemed husband need no
testimonial in this community. The
record of twenty-five years of spotless
living, filed with acts of beDefcence,
cannot be obliterated by an innuendo.
The writer hereby asks their pardon
for placing their names in this con-
nection.
Now as to questions Of fact in this
news article: For nearly or quite two
months before they quilted the Wind
sor Hotel Booth had not visited bis
wife, although spending most Of his
nights at the same house. He left the
hotel and went TO the Brunswick be-
fore, but for fear OF the scandal Il
would create returned again.
Almost broken hearted" STUFF
and nonsense! He could have been
seen any day when not at Newport or
Long Branch, in a natty jockeysui OF
clothes and slim walking stick, appro.
pirate for q youth of twenty. FIVE, at
the clubs or riding in the park, in ap.
parent unooncern. Four weeks ago
he certainly was not a skeleton" On
the contrary, he was in robust health.
Mrs. Booth did not at the beginning
Of her sickness make a will leaving
this property to her mother. So far
as heard from she has not yet made a
will, save the one in which she do
vised all her property to her husband
including all that her father gave her,
and for which the Chicago property
was exchanged, that the voracious
news gatherer says Booth had decided
to his wife years ago.
Mr.. Editor, this communication
grows unduly long, and time will not
permit further facts; but there is a
large fund Of facts remaining that it
might profit the admirers of the great
tragedian to ponder. HoGANG.
Ohio Girls and n Preacher.
Wooster special: Two sprightly
and beautiful young ladies have been
visiting a lady cousin living in the
country, not far from Wooster. These