The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-07
DEATH OF EDWIN BOOTH.
NE PASSED AWAY At 1870 O'CLOCK
THIS MORNING.

His Strong Constitutiou Unable Longer -
Battle with Hts DI.ea.e-Event. In the
Career OF the Famous Tragedinn fror,
His Early Boyhood In Maryland Unui NE
stood mt the Head OF Americas Actors.
Edwin Booth died In his rooms at the
Players Club at 1:17 o'clock this morning.
DR.. St Clair Smith gave the signal to the
Watchers below by waving q white handler
chief from window OF Mr. Booths room.
Booths illness dated back moro than two
years. when he suffered his first attack Of
paralysis. He was in Rochester at the time.
He never fully recovered. He was brought TO
this city. and lator went to Lakewood. where
he had a second attack. not nearly so severe.
however, as the first
He was again brought to New York, and so
far recovered that he could 60 about by him.
self. The attack which has ended in his death
came on the night Of April 10 He was in his
room in the PLAYERS Club at the time It was
thought for several days that he could not
possibly survive 1t even n week but no did,
and then there were hopes entertained TINT no
would recover.
But he gradually sank into a state OF coma,
from which 1t was possible to arouse him only
Mt times. Twice since April 10 his life was
dsraired OF. but each time he rallied.
1t was apparent yesterday morning that
Edwin Booth had not many hours to live. When
Dr. Smith left the Players Club at II o'clock on
Monday night he said that he meant to spend
the rest Of tho night at homo. He was re-
called within an hour and remained at the
club.
Ats o'clock yesterday morning Mr. Booth
was still unconscious. He lay on his back,
one hand and arm crooked above his head.
and the other arm stretched stiff by his side
He was greatly wasted. his face sunken. with
wide purple black rings beneath the eyes. He
breathed Mt times in gasRs. and again his
breathing was 80 slight as to alarm his at
tendants
Mr.. Booths great vitality alone kept him
alive. Any kind OF solid food had not passed
his lips for days. A little beef tea. some
kumyss. and distilled water to drink were the
only kinds OF nourishment he could take at all.
When Dr. Smith left tho Players Club at 4
o'clock he said he would not return before 10.
But at 6:45 o'clock Mr.. Booth became de-
cidedly worse. and q messenger was hastily
despatched for him. He reached the club at
1880. and after being twenty minutes in the
sick room issued the following bulletin: Mr..
Booth is slowly sinking. and it is doubtful II
he survives the night"
msmbsT Of tR9 , stub Th9 Left il shortly
ature was 100 and his pulse 100.
Mrs Grossmap remained with herfather all
day. Her husband Joined her in the sick room
William Bispham. treasurer OF the Players
Club: J. f.; McGopisls. Mr.. Booths brother-in::
to the sick room.
It was half past 0 o'clock when DR.. Smith
returned again. He sent down word In a few
minutes that there had been no change and
he did not think it possible for Mr. Booth to
live tho night out He remained in the sick
room after that
The news contained In the 1880 o'clock bull
letin spread about the city rapidly. and in the
evening there were many callers at the club
house. Among them was Augustus st. Gau-
dens. the SCULPTOR
Many did not e o to the club house. but went
across the street to the group Of reporters and
inquired for tine latest news.
Miss Minnie Palmer was one There were
no less than twenty others. All stopped Q
while and look ed up into the open windows OF
the room In which the actor lay dying.
At times the people who nightly walk In
Gramercy. Park stopped. and there. would
be n crowd OF twenty five or fifty talking and
looking UP at the windows.