The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-04-04
BOOTHS LOVE ROMANCE.
A Chapter in the History OF Linz
coins AsSaSsin--The Bright Eyes
of Northern Girl Enthrall
the Young Tragedian.

One morning in April, 1865. J. Wilkes
Booth, the assassin, went to the room of
a bro,her actor in Washington and said
oh! If it were not for a girl love,
how clear the future would be to me.
How easily could grasp the ambition
closest to my heart! With what fixed
and resolute purpose. 'beyond all resist
ance.' could l do and dare anything to
accomplish the release of the Confede-
rate prisoners, thus reviving the droop:
ing Southern armies and giving new
heart to the waning cause These
words were provoked by a wofdy con-.
test he had had that day in relation TO
the release of the Confederate prisoners,
With his sweetheari's father, who was an
eminent statesman.
Booth had met the young girl that
bad captured his heart in the whirl Of
Washington society Unto the best Of
which he was admitted and courted J in
that spring of 1865, when he had given
up even his profession that he might con-
centrate his energies on the one great
purpose for which he was willing to sac'
rifice everything-~eyen life itself. He
was boarding at tie then greatest hos.
telry in Washington, the National Hotel.
Here he was thrown in constant inter-
course with Senator'S, lawyers, military
men OF rank, and in fact the elite of
Washington society. There, with her
parents. boarded the young lady, who,
after meeting Booth, soon learned to
love, and who loved him truly to the
end. Even after the assassination it is
said she wrote to Edwin. saying 81 am
your brothers betro,hed, and am ready
to marry him at the foot of the scat
fold"
About 10 o'clock on the morning of
the day upon which the crime was COM
mitted Booth came down the steps OF
the hotel to the breakfast room, late as
is an actors wont. Immediately dressed
ip full suit of dark clothes, with tall
silk hat, kid gloves and cane, be walked
forth, the Young Adonis of the stage
the man who could marvelously unfold
the character of the murderous and cow
ardlv Macbeth; live out the cruelty and
vindictiveness of Richard, the wicked
ness of Julien, or impersonate with ideal
perfection the high character of Raphael
How he prostituted all these great gifts
and, by a distorted method of reasoning,
made himself cowardly assassin, the
startling story which follows clearly re-
veals. Within Il hours after he is thus
seen upon the stairway of the hotel he
committed the deed which covered his
name with lgnominy and cost him his
life. AT the foot Of the stairs he met
his fiance, who was there awaiting bis
coming. They walked into the break
fast room and took their morning meal
together. A few minutes chat in the
parior followed. These words were
Doubtless the last she ever spoke to
him
Said Manager Ford to newspaper
reporter, TO whom the story was told:
Wilkes Both was great actor His
Richard and Macbeth were very fine. He
individualized them in manner have
never seen before or since. His fighting
scene in Richard was simply terrific. He
was good in the Apostate; but in Rs-
phael in the Marble Heart was match
less. ! have many time paid him S7C0
week, and he could easily earn $20,.
600, year. When he played in Boston
under my management he made the
greatest success of the dav. People
waited in crowds outside the theater to
catch glimpse of him as be left, and |
think q man that could obtain this emil
nence before the age OF rs must have
had the germs of dramatic talent pretty
we'll developed. He was received by the
very best people. The lady to whom be
was engaged to be married belonged to
the elite of Washington societ, ?"
'Do you know the lsdy's name2"
Eyes. but it shall be sacred. She is
married now, and it would do no good
to the truth Of history to revive it,
Booths whole soul was centered upon
her, and he loved her as few men love.
Her picture, l understand, was taken
from his body short time after his cap
ture. AID she was faithful to him to the
last"