The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-04-04
EDWIN BOOTH STRICKEN.
He Suffers a PsraIytio Stroke
While Playing otheIIo,
AND is DANGEROUSLY ILL.
Lawrence Rarrott's Announcement
to the AudIencc-His Touching
AllusIou to tho Approaching
End of the Great Actor,

ROCHESTER, n, Y, April .S,-Thc Ly-
ceum theatre in this city was througed
from orchestra rail to dome, 1t was n
night Of Booth and Barrett, and tho two
great tragedians were to present the story
Of othellO, The great audience was
destined, however, to experience a
sensation and suffer bitter disappoint
ment Intense interest accompanied
the play from the moment the curtain
swung up, and none Of the hundreds
who scanned the dark face OF Mr.. Booth
noted any warning OF what was 80 soon
to belall him, The wiley Iago was
thought never before TO have been seen
in this city more nearly at his best,
The curtain went up on the second
act, and the call for Mr.. Booth found
him ready and waiting his cue, He
went on and progressed nearly through
the act with his usual facility. He
was, however, urging his physical pow.
ers by strong will against their own
weakness, At the call for the last scene
In the second act, however, the will
succumbed 10 physical weakness, A
slight dizziness that for several hours
had tormented tho great actor in
creased. Darkness came upon him.
He became unsteady. His attend
ant and others observed that
something was amiss and sprang TO his
assistance. A messenger was hurried
out TO call physician, and soon DR.,
Sumner was at the actors side. Mr..
Barrett and the company eagerly gath
cred near and there was anxious
suspense to learn WHY Mr..
Booth had reeled aud sank away
to be assisted at tho moment by those
near. The doctor expressed fear that
Mr.. Booth might sustain a shock OF
partial paralysis, which so alarmed Mr..
Barrett that he determined TO dismiss
the audience. Mr.. Barrett's dismissal Of
the audience was in these words:
LADIES AND GENTLRMRN:-I am called
upon 70 perform the most painful duty
OF my life. My colleague las shown
symptoms OF breaking down for three or
four days past, and his condition Is so
serious that 1t Is impossible for
him to act. We had hoped that
he would rally from this attack
and he would be able 10 play his part TO-
night, but one OF your physiClarcs, DR..
Sumner, said that 1t would DO perilous
for him TO attempt II. Mr.. Booth has
sustained 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
announcement The world has proba.
bly, heard for the last time the greatest
actor who speaks the English Ian.
guage. We shall, OF course, can
col all engagements, and hope that we
shall be able to remove Mr.. Booth 10
his home. II pains me to speak these
words. l am sorry TO disappoint this
great audience but tho play cannot 90
on, II would be presumptous for me TO
undertake to I'LL the place OF this great
man whom you have come to sec and
hear, and 1t would be worse than use.
less 10 attempt to proceed further. I
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 reiundlng your
money.
Reporters were not allowed to see Mr.
Booth and Mr.. Barrett refused 10 talk.
but Mr.. Bromley, business manager ofthe
company, said that Mr.. Booths illness
was not serious enough TO Justify alarm.
He said that the Company's engagement
for the rest Of the week and possibly
next would be cancelled, but he hoped
70 90 on as usual after Mr.. Booth had
been given brief rest.