The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-11-06
rtss ELDER eooTH AND The pieArE.
How the TragedIan Saved His Money and
His Life and Made Friend.


How the TragedIan Saved His Money and
His Life and Made Friend.
One night in Louisville number of
people called on Edwin Booth, among
them d doctor of local celebrity, who
wanted to place in his hands a valuable
relic that had once belonged to the elder
Booth He was shown upstairs by
little darly, who carried something
wrapped up in newspaper. 1t proved
to be web preserved skull, thoroughly
cleaned and the parts Joined by springs
and hooks.
The doctor told US this story of the
skull which proved romantic and inter
esting: Many years before Ted's visit the
elder Booth had played an engagement
in Natchez. After the closing perform
ance he was taken down to the river
with his trunk to wait for the upcoming
steamboat. He found at the saloon at
the wharf 1t rough looking set of men
who by their talk he decided were
thieves and cutthroats.
Booth had 81 900 III his money belt
and from motives of policy he invited
the ruffians to take several drinks, which
only served to increase their peculiar
looks in his direction. There was no
help near and escape was ont of the
question-he would probably have been
followed and murdered
Selecting the roughest and toughest
man in the crowd, old Booth called him
outside to say few words 'sLook
here" said he. my name is Booth; I'm
an actor; you may have heard of me.
I've thousand dollars here in u belt and
| I'm afraid of being robbed. | want you
| to take it and keep it safe for me until
the boat comes along"
The fellow looked earnestly ut the old
man, and then reached out for the belt.
Booth never expected to see dollar of
/ the money again, but was glad to insure
/ his personal safety. He slept on a table
/ i'll the saloon, and was awakened early
by the custodian of his treasure.
Get up. said ne; there's your
money The boats in sight Booth
was thoroughly surprised. but of course
delighted Whats your name?" he
asked: Il always like to remember an
honest mans name.' The fellow hes
/ itated, lowered his voice and answered:
'lt's Morrill,; folks call me the chief of
the river pirates You trusted me and /
appreciated the trust"
A year later Morrill, was sentenced to
the penitentiary for life. When Booth
visited Natchez again he visited the
prison and took Morrill, some money and
delicacies. At the last of his visits he
found the man dying of consumption.
Booth, said he, 1--WE not long to live;
| should die happy if | had something to
leave You to remember me by. You
have been good to me and l cannot re-
pay you" Booth laughed and said, eff
you are set on leaving me legacy, let, it
/ be your head"
He spoke in jest, but the pirate took it
in earnest, and on his death it was found
that he bad willed the tragedian his
skull. Booth gave it to the doctor in
Louisville to put in order, but dying
himself soon after never claimed his
bequest. The physician gave it to Ted
We used it for Yoricl1's skull in 1Ham-
let."
When on a visit to his mother in Bal
tilnore. she unpaclzed Ted's trunk while
he was ont. and came across the skull
Not knowing what it was used for, she
decided to get rid of it with some other
rubbish. So when Ted came in she told
him how she had thrown that nasty
skull out of the window, and that a coal
cart, passing by. had crushed it into a
hundred pieces. Interview in New York
Epoch