Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-04-04
EDWIN BOOTH ILL.
A Sudden Seizure While
Playing "0thellO."
BARRETT PREDICTS THE WORST
1t Was Not Paralysis, as Was Feared,
and Weeks Rest Will
Restore Him.
Assooiated pregs piapatehes to the HnRALD.I

Associated Press DISPATCHES to the HERALD
ROCHESTER, N. Y, April 3.-The
Lyceum Theatre tonight was thronged
from orchestra rail to dome. It was the
night of Booth and Barrett, and the two
great tragedians were to present the
story of Othello, the Moor. Intense inter-
est accompanied the play from the mo-
ment the curtain swung up, and none of
the hundreds who scanned the face tt
Mr.. Booth noted any warning Of what
was so soon to befall him. He
was thought never before to have
been seen in this city more
nearly at his best than tonight as Iag's
The fortunes of the dusky Moor and his
crafty fellow had progressed through tie
first act, followed with deep interest and
keen enjoyment by the throng in front.
Iago seemed 1.-THE and active with perfect
| life. The curtain went down before
house whose hush of perfect atten-
| ton then broke and relaxed into hearty
applause. While the second act was
preparing Mr.. Booth, though utteriDg no
complaint, is now known to have felt an
approaching elimination of the oppres-
sive heaviness that for several days has
rendered him no little discomfort.
He went on, however, and pro.
gressed nearly through the. act
with his usual facility. He was
urging his physical powers by bis strong
will, and at the call for the last scene in
the second act, the will succumbed to
physical weakness. A slight dizziness,
| . tInk 6ad ornonntQ6
great actor, increased. Darkness came
upon him. His attendant and
others observed something amiss, and
sprang to his assistance. A physician was
Ihurriedly called, and, after hasty ex-
animation, expressed the fear that Mr..
Booth had sustained a shock of partial
paralysis. This so alarmed Mr.. Barrett
that he determined to dismiss the audi
ence. He was greatly overcome by what
he considered the dangerous illness OF
his colleague, and when he stepped be-
fore the curtain it was evident that he
was greatly excited. Mr.. Barrett's dis
missal of the audience was in these words ::
"LADIEs AND GENTLEMEN-I am called
upon to perform the most painful duty
of my life. My colleague has shown
symptoms of breaking down for three or
four days past, and bis condition is SO
serious that it is impossible for him to
act. We had hoped be would rally from
this attack, and would be able to play
his part tonight, but one Of your physi-
clans, DR.. Sumner, Gays it would be
perilous for him to attempt it. Mr..
Booth has sustained partial
stroke of paralysis and We fear
this is the beginning of the end. 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 engageme nts, and l
hope we shall be able to remove Mr..
Booth to his home. 1t pains me to 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 fiji 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. 1
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 refunding your money"
The condition OF Mir. Booth, it seems,
did not fully justify the speech. There
had been no attack of paralysis, and the
actor was suffering no pain. The report
ers were net allowed to see Mr.. Booth at
the hotel, and Mr.. Barrett would not
talk, but the manager of the company
said Mr.. Booths illness was not serious
enough to justify the alarm. He said the
company's engagements for the rest of
the week, and possibly for the next,
would be cancelled, but he hoped to go
as usual after Mr.. Booth had been given
a brief rest. Mr.. Booth will be taken to
New York tomorrow. Late tonight
Mr.. Barrett sent card to the Associated
Press, stating that the physicians gave
an assurance that week or ten days
absolute rest will restore Mr.. Booth to
health.