Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-07-22
BEING PROSECUTED
CURIOUS STORY OF AN ATTEMPT TO BLACK
MAIL EDWIN BOOTH
Bv Well Known theatrical Person and an Rx-
Jsurualist-WhilO Living Barrett Blocked the
wsy-OpiniOns Of Joseph jefferson and
Stuart RObsOn-Hcw They WsreAn-
nOy'd by Similar Attempts.

j
time. When the information was
brought to the Herald Office the Herald
declined to have anything to do with it
until the alleged facts were proven.
Generally the rumor was that dis
reputable newspaper man and person
connected with the stage had for years
in their possession a document relating
20 an incident in Mr.. Booths family,
but of which Mr.. Booth was not aware
until informed by the conspirator, and
for which he was in no way responsible,
and that they had used this knowledge
10 blackmail him.
The story went on to say that Mr..
Booth had been harasSed by these men;
that their persecution had even affected
/ his brain, and that this, the break down
Of his mental powers, was the primary
cause Of his retirement from the stage.
The late Lawrence Barrett, il is said,
had interpOSed between the supposed
conSpiratOrs and his friend. Mr.. Bar
rett did not believe the story which
these men said they had to tell, and
argued that all probabilities and posi-
bilties were against its truth. Never.
theleSs, rather than see his colleague
and friend put to the troubles and an
nOyance of coming out in public and
denying allegations that were absurd
Barrett paid them to discontinue their
annoyance.
When, however, Barrett died the al
legged black-mailers, so it is said, began
once more to annoy Mr.. Booth. Booth
had been i'll some time before his col
leagues demise, but the latter's sudden
death was an additional shock TO his
nervous system and he was forced to
retire from the stage.
cAzAURAN's OLD ATTACK.
In this condition he was an easy prey,
I, was rumOred, to the alleged conSpira-
tors. One of his remaining stanch-
est friends was his brother actor, Mr.
Joseph Jefferson. Mr.. Jefferson has a
magnificent summer residence at Buzz
Yards Bay, Mass, in the region OF Cape
|Cod. Hither Mr.. Jefferson invited his
friend, and here the sick man is secure
from all intruders.
The incident in Mr.. Booths family,
or rather the alleged incident, which
the newspaper man and the stage per-
son referred to say they have proof to
.cOrrObOrate, came originally from A. b.
Cazauran, the adapter OF plays. Cazau-
ran died in January, 1889.
The adspter OF plays, am told, Ell
.ther invented it or imagined it from
some idle story he had heard. At any
rate it is stated that he once used the
story to annoy Mr.. Booth. The proba-
|blities are that the men indicated got
their information, such as it was, from
'Dr through Cazauran.
The reason their "Secret" became
fOmmon rumOr was that Mr.. Booth was
hot quite the man they expected, and
would not put his hand deeply into his
booklet. As Mr.. Jefferson expressed 1t,
Dir. Booth was Fighter" Then this
rascally pair began TO talk, and hence
gossip.
4 l went down to Buzzard's Bay to as
eertain what was in the rumor. Mr..
Booths mind was not affected, and
his health was improving so much that
be was able TO take drive.
l told Mr.. Jefferson what had been
Reported TO the press and il would lend its
hid to save Mr.. Booth from annoyance.
Dir. jefferson replied that he had heard
from a gentleman in New York the
ktory that related, but with differ
hat termination, which was that the
persons who were in possession OF the
roof OF the alleged incident were
4 ends Of the distinguished actor and
would rather suppress than publish
hat they knew.
MR.. JEFFERsON's OPINION.
I gave Mr.. jefferson the names Of the
Former newspaper man and the theatri-
I'll person. Mr.. jefferson had never
4 heard of the former, and Of the latter
his opinion was not very exalted.
81 don't believe it," said Mr.. Jetfer-
Bon. ''Mr. Booth would not stand any
Thing of that kind, for ne is fighter.
Only once In my life has blackmail been
attempted on me. That was about df-
teen years ago. received note from
\ man that he would like TO see me
about the publication Of my life, which
be wanted for book he was getting
but.
II went to his Office and told him
very emphaticaIly that l didn't want
anything Of the kind done, and that II
] did 1 would get a friend OF mine TO
10 it.
" well, said the man, we will get
Your friend TO do it and we will pay him
Tor it,
1.-THE book came out and with it my
Biography. A bill was sent to me Tor
$500. I refused to pay and they sued.
] happened to mention the matter 10
Mr.. Oakley Hall. OIL l know that
man. he said; L will soon stop that.
"But IL was not stopped. While play
he in the country 1 received q letter
nom my wife stating that lot OF those
books had been left at the house, with
\ bill amounting TO $500. My wife
wanted 10 know what she would 90
Nth them. l telegraphed her to send
Die books back and not to pay the Dill.
when returned messenger came
d the house with notification to APP
hear in court or the case would go by
default. I went to court with my law
Jer, but no complainant appeared.
Nhen the man saw 1 was determined
y fight the attempt to blackmail me
BASED"
DOTH WILL NOT PLAY NEXT SEASON.
Mr.. Booth IS seldom or never seen In
&c village. There is one thing certain,
ID will not play the coming season.
80 thinks he is able, but his friends,
no know better, have prevailed upon
81 m not to make any engagements, ana
rone have been made He needs a
&oodalong rest, for he is now ifty-eight
/tars Old
Some years ago while playing at Roch-
Der he was suddenly stricken down,
- tho 6Oo%ora r,rOnOuncpd il paralysis. /