Omaha daily bee., 1889-04-04
BOOTH SERIOUSLY ILL.
His OvertaXed Powers Succumb "a
the strain

Vne Strain.
ROCHESTER,, N. ", April 3.-The Lyceum
theater to-night was thronged from orchestrs
rail to dome. 1t was the night of Booth and
Barrett, and the two great trag gedians wert
TO present the story of "Othello, the Moor.h
Intense interest accompanied the play from
the moment the curtain swung up, and mona
of the hundreds who scanned the face
of Mr.. Booth noted any warning oi
what was so soon to befall him.
He was thought never before to have been
seen in this city more nearly at hls best than
tonight as Iago The fortunes Of the dusky
Moor and his crafty fellow had progressed
through the first act, followed with deep in
terest and keen enjoyment by the throng In
front. Iago seemed 1.-the and active. Tho
curtain went down before a house whose
hush Of perfect attention then broke and re-
laxed to hearty applause.
While the second act was preparing Mr..
Booth though uttering no complaint, Is now
known TO have felt an approaching culmfnar
ton of the pressing business that for several
days has rendered him no little discomfort.
He went on, however, and progressed nearly
through the act with his usual facility. He
was urging. his physical powers by
a strong will and at tho call for
physical weakness. A slight dizziness that
for several days had tormented the great
actor, increased. Darkness came upon him.
His attendants and others saw that some.
physician was hurriedly called, and after q
hasty examination expressed fear that Mr..
| Booth had sustained Il shock of partial par
| alysis This so alarmed MIR. Barratt that ne
determined to dismiss the audience. He
was greatly overcome by what he
| considered the dangerous illness OF his
| colleague, and when he stepped before The
| curtain it Was evident that he was greatly
| excited. Mr. Barretts dismissal OF the
| audience was III these words:
Ladies' and Gentlemen: i am called
upon to perform the most painful duty OF my
| life. My colleague has shown symptoms Of
or four days, and his condi-
Impossible FOR him to act We had hoped
| that he would rally from his attack, and th "
| but one of the physicians says II would be
perilous for him to attempt it. MIR. Booth
! has sustained a partial stroke OF paralysis
| and we fear that this is the beginning OF the
| end / cannot express to you the deep sorrow
with which make this sad announcements.
The world has probably heard Tor the last
! time the greatest actor who speaks the
| English language. We shall, of course, can
Gel all engagements, and hope that we shall
| be able TO remove Mr.. Booth TO his homo.
'IJ pains Inc to speak these words. ! am
sorry to disappoint this audience, but the
play cannot go on. It. would pc prcsump-
tious for me TO take the place Of this great
| man whom you have come to see and henr,
and it would be useless TO proceed further.
| know you will be indulgent, and that you
will fully appreciate the sad plight in which
we are placed. The management will make
| such arrangement as may seem best for re-
| funding your money"
The condition of Mr.. Booth, it seems, did
not fully justify the speech. There had
been no attack of paralysis, and the actor
was suffering no pain. Reporters were not
allowed to see Mr.. Booth at the hotel, and
Mr.. Barrett would not talk, but the business
manager Of the company said that Mr..
Booths illness was not serious enough ID
justify alarm. He said that the company's
engagements for the rest of the week, and
possibly the next, would be cancelled, but
hoped TO 20 on as usual after Mr.. booth had
been given a brief rest.
Mr. Booth will be taken to New York to-
| morrow.
Late tonight Mr.. Barrett sent card tc
TO the Associated press stating that the
physicians now give assurance that weel
or ten days absolute rest will restore Mr.
Booth TO health.