The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-20

drama. One of them was that of Dandy
Cox. in q negro farce. which was followed
at no great interval by Shylock. Macbeth
and Hamlet.
There comes a time in the life of every
young man who IL not born TO q fortune
when he must both learn and act for him.
self. This time and this ordeal came to
Edwin Booth when he was in San Fran
His father had left him to I'LL engagements
in the Eass and South. While travel
ing down the Mississippi the elder
Booth took violent cold, was taken from
sns s asssn speedily syo on Now
60 1882. The news reached young
Booth when he was stranded without
money or friends. and almost without food,
in Grass Vslley-a Nevada mining camp.
Aided by ID. w Waller no reached San
Francisco, cold. hungry, battered and
wretcbed. Thus ended in absolute disas-
ter Edwin Booths first theatrical tour
efter losing his fathers protection. The
California period of his oareer-inclu-
sivs of a trip to Australia and tho Sand
wich lslands-extended from 1857 TO 1866.
In 1857 he was once more In civilization.
and appeared with great success in Boston
as Sir Giles Overreach. He was on the
hiGh-rosd 10 fame then. for from Boston he
went to New York. to Burton's Theater,
and acted in round of great characters.
ench as Richard. Shyiock. Sir
let. Brutus lin Payne's tragedy.
and others, exhibiting an amount of fire
and passion which won him the highest
consideration. His next venture was IN
England at the Haymarket Theater in
London. where he played several char
acters. and made q hit as Richelieu. but
the trip was not. from various causes In
all respects satisfactory, and he retnrneu
TO New York TO begin in 1862 the brilliant
series of engagements in the Winter Gar
den Theater, which esta blished his reputa-
tion permanently.
MARRIED MISS DEvLIN.
Edwin Booth married Miss Mary Devlin.
of Troy. N. Y. July z, 1850. with whom be
shortly afterwards made visit to En-
gland. Edwins, their only daughter. was
born In Fulham. Dec. Q. 1861. Soon after
his return TO the United States Mrs. Booth
died suddenly ut Dorchester, Mass. Feb.
81, 1865.
The historical tragedy of 1S65-thc assas-
sination of President LIncoln-compelled
Edwin Booth TO leave the stage, and it was
then his wish and purpose never TO return.
In January. 1866. he wns compelled by bust
ness obligations to return to the boards.
Boorhs Theater. in New York. was
opened Feb. 3. 1860. with booth as Romeo
TO Miss Mary McVicker's Juliet. This lady
was the daughter of Mrs. Runnion. and on
the marriage of her mother to James H. Me-
Wicker, of Chicago. she adopted the name
OF her stepfather. juno z. 1860. she Was
married to Edwin Booth, and she died in
New York, In 1881. leaving no children.
After brilliant career of thirteen years
| Booths Theater was closed In May, 1882. it's
career ending In q performance with Mod
/ jeska. Booths Theater was almost in
yariably q prosperous house. but it was not
| economically managed. and for this reason.
and this alone, it eventually carried its
owner into bankruptcy.
| Booth then began his career over again.
| and in course of time he paid his debts and
earned another fortune. In 1876 he made n
! Southern tour, which was O triumphal
| progress. thousands Hooking to hear him ip
every city. In san Francisco he drew &c.,
| 600 In eight weeks. sum till then I'M
precedented on the dramatic stage.
| Britain and acted with brilliant success in
| London sDd other cities. He went to Ger
| many In tho autumn of 1882. and was re-
ceived with extraordinary enthusiasm. In
| 1883 he returned home and resumed his
| starring tours OF America.
Mr.. Booths career surnounts that of any
| other man now on the stage exceptin z
| Joseph Jefferson. Strong as Booth was In
I Bertuccio, he played RicheIieu with re-
| markable power. lago has by many been
thought his greatest part. AT least he
| thought so. Mr.. Booth certainly gave u
great representation OF the treacherons
lago. and few men have ever lived who
| could play Otheiio whom Edwin Booth
acted the willy and lying lago.
| But IN late years the client Hamlet was
| in many respects Mr. Booths great char
aoter. Booth acted many parts In his day.
! but of late years his repertoire was limited
to Hamlet. acbeth. King Lear. OtheIlo.
Iago. WOlsey. Richard III. Shy lock. Rich
ard IL. Ben-diok. Petruchio. Richelieu,
Payne's Brntus. Bertucclo. Ruy Bias and
Don Casar de bazan. His last great work
| was done in the com biDatiOn tour with MIR.
| Lawrence Barrett. who also acted as
Booths manager. Booth published an edi-
tion of his best pIays In fifteen volumes.
the text cut ana adapted by himself FOX
| the stage.