The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-08-05
BOOTH AND A SKULL.
How the Elder Tragedian of That Name
Became a Horse-Thiefs Friend.

Some years ago in Louisville, Flor
ence found the elder Booths son Edwin
in profound contemplation of human
skull. says the Philadelphia Nes0s.
There is a remarkable history connect
ed with that head" said Booth. 1T
properly belonged to my father. but he
never came in possession OF it. and
few hours ago DR.. Morris, of this city,
handed it to me as my property by the
right of inheritance. The story con-
nected with it, as he then related it,
ran about as follows:
Upon one occasion in Louisville the
elder Booth engaged IN what would be
called in these degenerate days. pro-
longed howl. In fact, he indulged in
one of those lapses that the great TRACE
dian was prone to. While in most
mellow mood he started Oh : journey
afoot out the old Bargetown pike Pass
inc a field in which a horse was grazing
he entered it, securing the animal,
mounted and rode away. At that time
horse-stealing in Kentucky was con-
sidered an even more tlagrant offense
than it is to-day, and was ranked as
capital crime, the punishment for which
was death. The greatest horse-thief in
all that section, and one upon whose
head a heavy price was fixed, was
named Fontaine. Well, Booth logged
along on the horse that did not belong
to him, and was in a supremely happy
condition until he met two farmers, who
inquired of him where he had obtained
the animal.
II |, IN, f3oI1 h,a -
said the tragedian, with jovial frank
ness.
"Indeedr' said one of the farmers;
land what might your name be?'
My name is Fontaine," said Booth,
without smile.
'Fontainer' calculated both men
simultaneously. Then you are the
very man we want. Come back to town
with us.
Certainly" said Booth, in the most
good-natured manner, and wheeling his
horse, he rode back to Louisville with
his captors.
The city jail was then in charge of a
Col. Thomas, who knew Booth well.
1--WE have brought you Fontaine, the
horse thief, and claim the reward" said
the farmers, proudly addressing the
jailer.
..Where is hep they were asked,
Booth was produced. ''Why, what
does this mean, Mr.. Booth?n asked
Thomas.
Il haven't the slightest iiea," said
the great tragedian with the utmost
simplicity. Il met these two men with
this horse, and they insisted upon Civ
ing it to me. | guess they stole it. l
think one of them is Fontaine." The
Mortified and now alarmed rustics were
about to be locked up pending an in
vestigation CT their suspicious conduct,
when, by the most singular coincidence,
a man rushed to the prison door on
horseback and shouted out the informa-
ton that the real Fontaine had been
taken in custody. When he was
brought to Louisville Booth expressed a
desire to see him, and paid him a visit
in his cell. Strange to say q strong SEN
timental friendship sprang up between
the two men. Night after night the
kind-hearted jailer took Fontaine to the
theatre where Booth was playing, and
there, secreted in the flies, he looked
down upon the acting of his queerly-
found friend.
In the confidence that this commun-
ion begot Booth once spoke of the diff
Guilty he experienced in always having
a human skull at hand when he played
Hamlet"
That shall be remeded," said Fon-
taine, quietly, and he then and there
made his VIII, deyising his head to
Junius Brutus Booth after he had been
hanged Booth left Louisville before
Fontaine was executed, and the incident
passed from his mind. Years after
ward when he was dead and his son
was playing in Louisville, DR., Morris
called upon Edwin Booth, told him the
story have related, and presented him
with Fontaine's skull, which he subse-
ouentiy used in Hamlet -