The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-04
Sixth avenue, New York, and on February

DiAtii aNbhb0f Wv &Va NJ anu OiA a WI otI
g. 1868, Booth opened the new
house with "Romeo and Juliet"
Romeo being played by himself and Juliet
by Miss Mary McVicker. This lady was
the daughter OF Mrs. Runnion, who be-
came the wife OF James II. McVicker, oil
Chicago, a prominent actor and manager,
and the child's name was changed from
Runnion TO McVicker. Booth married
her on the 9TH OF June, 1869, and she died
in New York in 1881, leaving no children.
Booths Theater had career OF thirteen
wears and its stage was adorned with some
OF the grandest pageants and graced by
the presence OF some OF the most renowned
actors that have been seen in this century.
Its story, however. ended in May, 1882,
when Ii was finally closed, its career end
ing by performance OF Juliet by Nine.
Modieska. After this IL was torn down,
and block OF stores has been built upon
the site. Booths Theater was managed
by Edwin Booth until the spring OF 1874,
when IL passed out OF his possession.
During his reign us manager he accom-
plished sumptuous and noble reviyals OF
many PLAYS. Ills stock company at one
time included Lawrence Barrett, II. l..
Davenport, J. w. Wallack, Jr., Mark
Smith, Edwin Adams, A. w. Penno, u.
q. Anderson, ID. W. Waller, Robert Pate
man, Mrs. Emma Waller, Bella Pateman
and others, one OF the ablest dramatic or
CARNATIONS ever formed In America.
Booths Theater was almost invariably a
prosporous house. IL was not economical
~ managed, and for this reason alone, IT
eventually carried Its owner into bank
ruptcy. Edwin Booth then began his ca
reer over again and eventually paid his
debts aud amassed another fortune. In
1876 no made u tour of the South, which
was, in fact, triumphal progress. Thou
sands OF spectators ilocke1 10 see him in
every city that no visited. In San Fran.
cisco, where he acted for eight weeks, he
drew upwards OF $4,000 total Of re-
ceipts until then unprecedented on the
dramatic stage. In 1880 and again in 1882
he visited Great Britain, and he acted
with great success in London and other
great cities. He went into Germany in
the autumn OF 1882 and was there re-
ceived with extraordinary enthusiasm.
In 1883 he returned home and resumed
his starring tours in America. Booth has
acted many parts in his day, but OF
late years his repertory has been
limited TO Hamlet Macbeth, King
Lear, 0thelo, lago, Wolsey, Richard
I'LL, Shylock, Benedick, Petruchio,
Richeleu, Payne's Brutus, Bertuccio, in
the Fools Revenge" Ruy Bias and
Don Caesar do Bazan. lie has pub.
lished an edition OF these plays in fifteen
volumes, the text cut and adapte by him.
self for stage use, with Introduction and
notes by William Winter.
OF Edwin Booths bounty and generosity
much has been said, and his name will
be long remembered in connection with
many acts OF charity. Iothe profession "a
which he belonged this generosity made
itself dstinciively manifest in the con
struction OF u magnificent clubhouse, a
/ his own expense, for the benefit OF
the members OF the Players Club.
/ lie purchased q piece Of land in
Gramercy Park for large sun
and upon this erected the magnificent
building which, in richness and splendol
OF appointments, is second TO few, II any
in the country. When complete lac con
yeyed the property TO the trustees OF the
Players Club" TO DO held in perpotuiiy
by them for the benefit OF the club. and
the marked hOnors shown him by mem
bers OF his prof .ssion and the public gen.
orally, during the dedication ceremonies
was proof OF how highly the magniicen
donation WIS appreciated. In this club
house MIR. Booth has erected for himself |
monument that will last long after thu
memory Of his once famous theater shall
have passed from the memory OF mankind