Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1893-06-15
EDWIN BOOTH.
AMERICAS GREATEST ACTOR-A
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WORK.
A FAMILY or ACTORs-HIS DEBUT IN Bos-
ToN-sUCCESS-HA TIMES-HIS PO-
slTIoN IN DRAMATIC HISTORY.

All the world now knows of the death
of Americas greatest actor. Edwin Booth,
the not unexpected event occurring in
New York last Wednesday morning, June
:, Opportunity was afforded for the brief
est mention of the fac. in last week s
AMERICAN, hut the passing away of so
eminent a personality demands more ex-
tended notice What follows is summar-
ized from an admirable sketch printed In
the Boston Journal.
EDWIN BOOTHS BIRTHPLACE.
In the summer of 1922, when the yello "
fever was tlcroely rsging in Baltimore,
Juniu> Brutus Booth bought farm in the
town Of Bel Air, Hartford county, Mary
land. place Tvs nty five miles from Baltl-
more. There he built a log house, plast-
cred, whitewashed and trimmed IL into
and haven from the excitement and strain
Of a theatrical career. The scenery about
THU chosen spot was of forest kind. but
romantic and beautiful. II AT ounded 10
high rockS and tiny cascades, and the
Laurel and sycamore joined with the larch
AMI hazel bushes to render everything
hcaithful and rtstful.
lhc Algonquin Indian had given and
left hehiEd traces of his occupancy OF
th,s forest region, and abundant game
showed the wisdom of biz untutored
choice. IL this modest home. aud with
such ipwlY Surroundings. was born Edwin
Thomas Booth on the might Of November
ID, 1888. night made memorable by a
mctcnric shower which has become his
torical.
His eldest brnther, Juniu> Brutu- Booth,
jr.. had been hastily sent on horseback 10
summon doctor, and a Jun1s was then
a little le-s than twelve years Of age be
was frightened almost into paralysis No
bad ISSUE came Of the fright. and the In
fant came safely Into world in which he
was destined 10 be sn Influential factor
Miss Susan Hyde. afterward secretary II
the Peabody Institute in Baltimore. con.
ducted lis early education and was in
turn followed by Louis Dugas French
West indian naval officer
To the Instruction Of Dugas succeeded
that # Mr.. kearncy at the nearest uni
ycreity, aud kraruey was said To have
written his own school books Siguor
Pocioli taught youpg Edwin 10 play well
on Tie violin, and he developed an early
tendency 70 defamation. He worshi ped
his father at even very early age. and 70
be with him. 10 travel upon the cider
starring tours, and render him assistance
a. a dresser. was far more to the lads
taste than coming lessons or toillng on
the home farm.
DEBUT AT IHE BOSTON MUSEUM.
la the autumn Of lsia the elder Booth
was playing an engagement at the Boston
museum, and 1t was At this house on the
evening Of sept. Io 1879. that Edwin made
his debut, In the part Of Tressel. in
"Richard Ill" Nothing Immediately mo-
n,.utnn. f,itnu.I ,thi-
remair.B n,n.rks., n,,u ,.. ,.,..
when, on Sept. q. 1850 he made his hr,t
appearance in New York, At the Natiuual
the.tr. IN (,b,,hsm t,.., - viIfo,l 4,
III. "lrnp ch.., ~. g. r4Yr,u..,I
mrr Of hi. father
SAM. mnr,h. l.,.r IA :, ~. ~
,h,.s,r,. he ,,ls,.t f,- ,t IT,. ,i,,... IT,,
Ricbard IN In nlsc. -, Id. f.h.. ,h
purpo,e,y d.clin.d 10 ,nn..r a. announced
il, or,t.r t,. h..l,.,.,, ,,,.h,
of HI hn,,. cnmoo.t,io, ~. ,,,,,
nsxs.d,hi. o,d..st t-a,.l, an, ,,, -.
,rauxa
III. d.cl,,. IF NJ. f,,h.,. h,,r;.,. a.n
in. had heeuu h.f,re mi. ana rr.,i.
,S,v. hsa a.,.lo,.., sI,,, ), i
A, hi. gufd, and heln.r vonr, Fd,yi, had
! n,infnI ,..k Nh IL. An i, x,,h,,, 49,
mario, T,,,
49,. ,,or,,, ,h
,,r, hrc. j., .tl..c. ,,,.,i, H.. ,,u
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= TIL -, r,
.,, g.. c.,,t.t, il. p.
,n f..h ,h. h
.s. Ai. .,-,
,..4 I.;,h
=,
<n H. :
elder Booth died Nov 40 1852
IL ,rsrR,tt,
Edwin remained +, California arl ,h.r.
to,led for a ni,tanc. for nearly five v.a,.
H.. msd4 wi,b u " W.1.r af,.r.rt
hi. N.w Work s,s,a nsn.g.r ,,,n,o tho
mining ra.i,rs of Naval. nlayio ar
everv kind of q oart i, snnnor, ~ w,r.r
served nasrlv a year a, Sscrsm.n,o a. i.
s,ort sc,or mat. ma,par.b,.. ,o,r !,
Australia and tho Sandwich Island. lat.
;no min. nor,hs of H.. vaar ls54 ,I.y.a
AZ sydney NeIbour,e AMI Uo,o,nln md,
m. most nrimitiv. su.nic.s tho, came
hack 10 the Golden stat. xh.r. III.
brother Jnnius arra-y.d far him ,o .nn,.,r
IN . rop,t ~ Shsks,.sr..n n.r,. .nt