The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-05
RING DOWN THE CURTAIN
BOOTHS PROBES SIONAL LIFE
DRAWING TO A CLOSE.

Well-earned Rest in Prospect-Au
Eccentric Brother of tire qragedian
Who Lives at Long Branch-John
Wilkes Booth as an Actor-Edwin's
First Engagement at SO Per Week
His FoLdness for the Violin and
Bauio-A Memorable Scene in Which
Three Great Tragedians Took Part
FORESTS Apps arance-Edwin Booths
Action.
(Copwight)
NEW YORK, April 4-The eminent man
now the relic of a curious household of
actors, is just stepping off the stage for
good and all. as his partner dies. While
Edwin Booth is not the last representative
of remarkable family he is the only one
of the present day and generation Of that
kinship who will be remembered and mem
toned in the years far ahead of u.s. Joseph
is an elder son of the distinguished TRACE
dian known as Junius Brutus Booth,
and he lives at Long Branch, where,
among his townsmen, he is rated like
all the rest of his folks for his eccentricities.
He never had hisrrionic aspirations like some
of his kin, and has lived a settled life, but
full of combat with those about him. II is
u curious fact that only two of all this blood
born and bred to the theater have achieved
distinction on the stage. Junius Brutus,
who bore his fathers name, was better
tavern-keeper than an actor, although he
often played, but he liked the occupation
of boniface better than work behind
the footlights. He owned good
hotel at Manchester by-the-Sea on the
Massachusetts, coast, where be died, and his
brilliant widow, who afterward married
John Schoeffel, now does the honors. So
Edwin and Joseph are alone left as relics of
q household that for very many years
played dominant part in the drama and
tragedy Of our national life. AS Joseph
does not play, Edwin Is easily the master
and stands out in bold relief AS the first
actor of the day and the central figure of
wonderful combination that wondered aud
acted by turns just as the humor struck
them.
Out of seven children born of Mary Ann
Holmes. the flower girl of the Covent Gar
den theater of 1921, only two have made
their mark on the stage-Edwin and John
Wilkes. None of the girls have been
actresses, and even Ed win Booths daugh-
ter has not followed her fathers footsteps,
but has married broker and is settled in
New York to a life Of ease rather than of
labor on the stage. Other actors have had
the same experience, for none of Mr.. Bar
rett's daughters married in the profession,
except the one who welded Mary Ander-
sons brother Joseph, who is a manager
rather than an actor.
All this leads one to thoughtful conclu.
slons and lifts the curtain of life upon I'M
portant enes. The retrospect that comes
of review of Edwin Booths career is most
interesting. He was evidently born under
a melancholy star, despite the fact that as
he first opened his eyes the heavens well
coined him with meteor. In 1888 these
Onions were regarded with suspicion, and
the date was noted with more or less care
by the countryside people Of Hartford
county, Maryland, about twenty miles
from Baltimore, where this gift was made
20 the stage and to mankind. All the boys
were queer lot-pOssesslng more or less of
their fathers talents as well as his eccen
triclties. Edwin was by no means the
favorite of his great SIRE John Wilkes
was always regarded as the flower of the
flock on the male side, and Mary Asia, who
married John S. Clarke. the comedian,
wrote the history of her father and
brother, and was in power and purpose the
big end of the family so far as the women
were concerned. 1t is a remarkable fact
that Wilkes Booth made more money in
single season before and during the wa
than any actor who has ever lived
IN that time. John T. Ford, who
managed him once, told me that his income
was $50, 900 a year for less WORK than any
m an of his time ever drew. He was a
heroic character and studied effects. He
always made an effort to pleas tla women
by dong dramatic things that " re not al
Ways in the play. For instance, in Richard
H." which was one Of his great characters.
he Jumped twenty feet ever the rocks in
s-ea1 of coming down the stairs, and the
audience went wild over the scene as he
made it. As "Raphael," in the marble
Heart, he achieved a still greater success,
and women and men by the hundreds would
wait at the stage door to see him go out,
ana would beg for chance to touch the
hem of his cloak.
Unlike Edwin he always studied the dra-
matte. He dressed himself faulteSsly. AS
rule he wore kid gloves and when his over
coat was not on, 1t laid over his arm, and
MS whole pose along the street was as If
slttlng for picture. The day of the night
he assassinated the President | met him
walking down the street toward Ford's
opera house. where he got his mail. Harry
FORD, still living in Baltimore, was in the
Dox Office, and handed out the messages.
Many of them were of love, for he was a
moment when he assassinated Mr.. Lincoln
ne was the atfianced husband of the daugh-
yer OF one OF the most distinguished United
states senators then serving in congress.
Even after the crime her loyalty was 30
great mat she sW ore she would marry him
s'I tle loot of the scaffold if necessary.
IL Is, perhaps, serious view of life to in
crude this story Of a great crime; but it
becomes part of the adventure of history
Ilat this younger of two sons of a wonder
iul sire should have put a mark on his
pTother's career that from that day to this
mas kept him from even going to the
national capital 1t is said that when John
wilkes killed the President, Edwin made
Vhe solemn declaration that he would never
again enter the national capital as an actor.
II this be true he has kept his word not
outstanding a thousand tempting offers
nave been made to him to do so. Even the
grea est men of the United States have
asked him to come and act at the capital of
tne naClon. / remember once that Capt. W.
NJ Conner, who managed John Mccullough
me:
Edwin Booth will never again be seen in
tne capital Of the country. He is too SEN
sitlve TO ever put himself in the wrong
place. think it is captious: but neverthe-
iess all people should respect his sentiment
Without question"
A quiet talk with Capt. Coonor recalls
some remarkable traditions Of the stage so
AaI as W Washington is concerned.
IL Is SO many years ago that / am almost
lost ~ the midst Of forgetfulness since Ed
win Forrest PLAYED his last character on the