Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-04-05
BOOTH MUCH BETTER.
A SLIGHT ATTACK OF PARALYSIS CAUSED
HIS ILLNESS.
It May Have Been Occasiolsd by the Tragsdians
Excessive Cigar Smoking He Consumed
Twenty Per Dsy-Looks Well but His
Detroit Dates are Cancelled.

ROCHESTER,. N Y, April The condi-
tiOn of Edwin Booth is much improved.
Mr. Booth arose at 800 o'clock this morn
ing. Dr.. SumRer called and found the
eminent actor much better and able TO
speak quite plainly. The doctor advised
him to rest for a week Or tea days
Ia speaking of Mr.. Booths condition last
night the physician said: 81 did not think
it was Immediately dangerous. l found
that he had sustained a slight stroke Of
paralysis, which prevented the power of
sp ech. The paralysis affected his entire
left side He was unable to speak, and of
course told hin he could rot 40 on with
part. 1t was thought at frat
that the attack v9ula pass away
in few minutes, but felt sure it vas i'm
possible for him to resume his part. His
condition was indeed pitiful. As he lay
there in his dressing room looking appeal
ing AZ Mr.. Barrett and myself, unable TO
speak word, my heart felt for him keen
ly. We did all we could 10 aid the suffer
ing tragsdiaD, and as soon ss possible had
him removed to his hotel"
"Do yCu think Mr.. Booths strength ss
an actor is injured by this attack"
THAT l cannot say. l think with rest
of week or ten days he will be able TO
keep his engagements. Last nights attack,
however, is premOnition of what's bound
to come. think that within few yeara
Mr. Booth will suffer final attack, which
may rob America of its greatest actor"
Mr.. Booths manager, Arthur b. Chase,
said: The reports Of Mr.. Booths illness
have been much exaggerated. lie is now
looking well and speaks as plainly ss
ever
"What do you think caused last nights
stroke?"
"I have no doubt the Immediate cause
of the attack was excessive cigar smoking
Mr.. Booth pmokes abont twenty strong
imported cigars a day, and frequently uses
pipe l told Mr.. Booth this morning !
thought this was the cause. He smiled
and said: / couldn't give up my cigar l
think he will smoke fever cigars in the
future"
In reply 20 an inquiry fiom Detroit
Mr. Booth instructed Manager Chase to
say that he will keep his engagement in
that city week after next. Mr.. Barrett
has determined to keep the Booth-Birrett
engagements, and Lawrence Hanley will
probably take Mr. Booths part. The
company will play in Buffalo tonight. and
the remainder of the week, and will then
60 to Cleveland. Lawrence Barrett ex
pressed his grief at the unfortunate state
of things.
Edwin Booth left for New York at 1885
a. In , via the New York Central Lsw-
renee Barrett and tie company went to
Buffalo at 11:45 Mr.. Booth walked flom
the carIis % TO the train without assistance,
ard carried light sa,chel slung over HE
shoulder, while wooden tootbpick Of
plaip, unvarniei ed type rested between
his lips. He did net Look like sick man.
New YORK, April Edwin Booth,
with his valet, reached this city tonight
at 7:3O o'clock. Dc. st. Clair Smith,
met him At The Grand Central depot, with
Is cariie2e They Grove to the Players
Club on East Twentieth street. Mr. Booth
Was in coed spirits, though little weak,
and did not seem 10 feel the long ride
from Rochester. He took supper at
The Players Club and sat up in the
Green Room" talking with callers until
late hour. Dr. Smith said, after examining
the great trage1ian, that he hsd suffered
partial stroke of paralysis, which was I'M
doubtedly due to excessive smoking. He
directed his patient TO remain indoors and
enjoy quiet aud rest fer few days. DR..
Smith thought that Mr.. Booth would be
able to resume his engagements.
BUFFALO, April 4.-The Booth Barrett
combination produced the 'MeTchant OF
Venice" at the Star Theatre tonight before
a very large and eBthusiastio audience.
Owing TO Mr. Booths illness, Mr.. Barrett
acted "ShylocB" and Mr.. J. Lane appeared
ss "Bsssanio."
DETROIT, April 4.-The Rochester dis
patch stating, IN answer TO the Journal
inquiry, that Mr. Booth will fill the De-
troit dates, i8 i'll error. Manager Chssa
telegTaphed the Journal that Mr.. Barrett
will play ia Detroit alone.