St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-04-04
Edwin Booth Has an Attack
Of Illness Resembling
Paralysis,
And Is Compelled to Leave
the Stage While Playing
at Rochester.
MIR. Barrett Greatly Alarmed,
But Physicians Express
Belief
That a Season Of Rest Will
Bring the Great Actor
Around.

ROCHESTER,, N. Y. April 3.-The
Lyceum theater in this city was tonight
thronged from orchestra rail to dome.
1t was a night of Booth and Barrett,
and the two great tragedians were to
present the story of "Othello, the
Moor" There was no space in the
play house where human being could
obtain a footing that was not so
occupied. There was great an
ticipation Of pleasure and no thought
of disappointment. The great audi
ence was destined, however, to
experience sensation and suffer a Bit
ter disappointment. Intense interest
accompanied the play from the mo-
ment the curtain swung up. and
none of the hundreds who scanned the
dark face of Mr.. Booth noted any warn
ing of what was soon to befall him. The
willy Iago was thought never before to
have been seen in this city more nearly
at his best. The fortunes of the dusky
Moor and his crafty fellow had
progressed through the first act,
followed with deep interest and keen
enjoyment by the silent throng in front.
Othello's friend seemed 1.-the and act
i've with perfect life. There was no
fault or hesitancy in the speaking of
his lines by Mr.. Booth. The curtain
went down before a house whose hush
of perfect attention then broke and re-
laxed to hearty applause. The second
act was preparing, and meantime,
behind the scenes, Mr.. Booth,
though at the time uttering no
,Ioi nj icr II To fo1+
approaching elimination of an oppres-
sive heaviness that for several days has
rendered him no little discomfort. The
curtain went up on the second act, how
ever, and the call for Mr.. Booth found
him ready and awaiting his cue. He
went on and progressed nearly through
the act with his usual facility. He was,
however, urging his physical powers by
strong will against their own weakness.
AT the call for the last scene in the sec
ond act, however, the will succumbed to
physical weakness. A slight dizziness,
that for several days had tormented the
great actor, increased. Darkness came
upon him. He became unsteady. His
attendant aud others observed that
something was amiss. and sprang to his
assistance. A messenger was hurried
out to call a physician, and soon
DR.. Sumner was at the actors
side. Mir. Barrett and the COM
pany eagerly gathered near and there
was anxious suspense to learn why Mr..
Booth had reeled and sunk away, to be
assisted at a timely moment by those
near. The doctor expressed fear that
Mr.. Booth had sustained shock of par
tial paralysis, which so alarmed Mr..
Barrett that he determined to dismiss
the audience. Mr.. Barrett was greatly
hry hot hn
dangerous Illness of his colleague,
and when he stepped before the
curtain, it was evident that he was
greatly excited. Mr.. Barrett, during
his short address to the audience, was
frequently choked by his emotion. Mr..
Barrett's dismissal of the audience was
in these words: Ladies' and gentle
men: am called upon to perform the
most painful duty of my life. My col
league has shown symptoms of break
ing down for three or four years past,
and his condition tonight is so seri-
Gus that it is impossible for HIM to act.
We had hoped that he would rally from
this attack, and that he would be able
to play his part tonight, but one of
your physicians, DR.. Sumner, says that
it would be perilous for him to attempt
it. Mr.. Booth has sustained partial
stroke of paralysis, and we fear that
this is the beginning of the end. l can
not express to you the deep sorrow with
which | make this sad announcement.
The world has probably heard
for the last time the greatest actor
who speaks the English language.
We shall, of course, cancel all engage
ments, and hope that we shall be able
to remove Mr.. Booth to his home. 1t
pains me 10 speak these words. l am
sorry to disappoint this great audience,
but the play cannot go on. 1t would be
preSumptuouS for me to undertake to
fill the place of this great man, whom
you have come to see and hear, and it
would be- worse than useless to attempt
to proceed further. know you will
be indulgent and that you will
fully appreciate the sad plight
in which we are placed. The manage
ment will make such arrangements as
may seem best for refunding your
money" 7 he condition of Mr.. Booth, it
There had been no attack Of paralysis,
and the actor was suffering no pain. He
walked from the theater to his carriage,
and was driven to his hotel,
when he walked, without appar-
ent difficulty, from the carriage
to the elevator and to his room.
Reporters were not allowed to see Mr..
Booth, and Mr.. Barrett refused to talk,
but Mr.. Bromley, business manager of
the company, said that Mr.. Booths ILL
ness was not serious enough to justify
alarm. He said that the company's en-
gagements for the rest of the week and
possibly next would be cancelled.
but he hoped to go on as usual
after Mr.. Booth had been given
a brief rest. The company arrived
in this city this morning and Mr..
Booth passed the day lying down in his
room, but did not seem to be suffering
except from the WEAKNESS of travel.
Messrs. Booth and Barrett will leave
for New York at 10:30 tomorrow MORN
ing, and Mr.. Booth will be placed at
once in charge of his own physician.
The Lyceum theater management lose
$4,000, which will have to be made good
by the company. The sale of seats
amounted to over $1,000, and was the
rgestsale the company had this season.
Late tonight Mr.. Barrett requested
that the following be sent out by the
Associated Press: ''Since his return to
the hotel Edwin Booth is easier, and
the doctor gives every assurance that
week or ten days of absolute rest will
restore him to his usual health. Law
renee Barrett"