Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-16
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The ELDER BOOTH.
why He Quit England and Came to
This Country.
From, the 81. Louis Republican.


From the 81. Louis Republican.
Booth, accompanied by his wife, ar
rived at Norfolk, Va, from the island of
Madeira in vessel unheralded and I'M
known. He made his first appearance in
Richmond, Va, and presented himself to
Mr.. 0ilfertt, the manager, and said that
he wished to perform. He had no letters Of
introduction, and his identity was very
much doubted, while at the rehearsal.
which he merely walked through" the
actors looked upon him as fraud. But
at night he dIspelled all doubts of his
identity in the performance of Richard.
Now, the question has always arisen why
ne arrived from the old country in such
a mysterious manner. l think l can
throw some light upon the matter.
Just before Booth left England he was
playing in Bath. BUSINESS was dull, for
he did not draw. A celebrated gymnsst
was performing at the same time at an
opposition theatre. His name was Sig
nor Antonio, or the Little Devil" He
drew the crowds by his wonderful per-
formances on the slack rope. Booth, after
DIS performance, went around to the other
show and commenced shouting:
"Mountebaukl Mouutebank! Hum
bug! d dissertation to the temple of art"
Of course he was elected by the police,
but returned after the performance and
met Antonio. A few angry words fol-
lowed, and they came to blows; next day
they again met, and reconciliation took
place. They then had supper, at which
wine was freely partaGen of. They parted
late that night. Antonio, going home.
while passing through park, heard q
pistol snap behind him a fintlock J. 1t
missed tire. Antonio then turned and
saw that it was Booth, who fired a Sec
Ond shot. The ball struck him IN the
cheek and lodged in the back of his head.
lie fell stunned, but was found shortly
atterWard and taken TO his hotel. Booth
lied from England 10 the continent. and
this is why Booth came to this country
In such mysterious manner. Antonio
recovered aud came to the United States,
where be. played at the leading theatres
With much success, and finally fixed his
nome IN ST. Louis, where be died few
years ago, respeote and loved by all who
came IN contact with him. In his old age
he became fIsane. The cause of his in
sanity was supposed to be the shot fred by
tbs hand of the elder Booth. Booth aud
Antonio met in St. Louis and became firm
friends, and his son, Alt0nZ0, now has in
his possession watch seal which was
engraved upon an amethyst on the seal,
which he keeps III remembrance of the
drunken freak which occurred in his
fathers younger days.
Booths ancestors were from Spain.
They were of Hebrew stock and their
family name was Cabaha, which in the
Hebrew language means Booth. They
fed TO England to escape persecution.
His literary tastes and abilities were of
high order. He was a lingust, as he
spoke and wrote the FreneA, German and
Hebrew languages liuently. He was u
great admIrer OF the Koran and familiar
with the Talmnd2sal $50
One day Lasked him: Are you not
Jew in religion, Mr.. Booth? ?" -.
"No,' said he. II am not. was born
Jew, but If one be- born in stable it is
no reason that he should be horse. |
am Moham medan,'
knew ne was fFequenter OF syna-
gOgues, but he had the highest respect for
all places ofreligiOus worship, and never
passed one without bowling his head.
His charity was shown by deeds OF phil
anthrOpY and humanity, not talk Tie
did good by stealth and blusbed to find it
famo,O -.sr