The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-10-15
EDWIN BOOTHS BOYHOOD.
Stories Of His Early Life Told by
His BTOther-il-LaW.
John S. Clarke, Who Married Booths
Sister Asia, and Is Himself a Well
Known Actor, Gives Some Interest
ing Annndntas
From the New York Tribune.


Known Actor, Gives Some Interest
ing Anecdotes.
From the New York Tribune
John S. Clarke. a brother-in-law Of Ed
win Booth, and formerly well known to
American theater-goers as an actor of
leading comedy parts in old English
plays, but who is now known to the pro-
fession as a theater owner, is staying at
the Fifth Avenue hotel Mr.. Clarke.
although an American. has lived in Lon
don for many years, and his name is more
familiar TO the English than to the Ameri-
can public. He arrived in this country
several weeks ago to look out for his prop
erty in Philadelphia, including the Wal
nut Street theater. In conversation with
a Tribune reporter he talked entertain
ingly about himself and his recollections
of Mr. Booth
81 have been living a secluded life for
six or seven years" he said in reply to a
question, "and l am afraid l have little
OF interest to tell you"
Something about the early days OF
yourself and Mr. Booth would be inter
esting," was suggested.
Il shall be glad TO speak Of Mr. Booth. "
You knew him from childhoodl"
Eyes, when we became acquainted in
Baltimore he was about II years old--a
slim, delicate lad, sensitive, gentle, even
shy He often spoke of our first meeting
which was under rather singular circum-
stances, and recalls the only display of
pugnacity on his part that l remember. 1t
happened that a big boy Of our neigh
bOrhOOd-a brOad-shOuldered Spaniard-
had insulted Edwin Booth by ridiCuling
his personal appearance. Booth had long
black hair and wore "a short Italian cloak
A fight was on. /. impressed by Edwin's
demeanOr took the side of young Booth.
volunteering to be his second The
Spanish lad had struck him, and then
the eyes of Booth flashed as in after
years they did when as Richelieu he
threatened Baradas with the thunders
Of the church His assailants attack
was followed by well-delivercd strokes
about the head and face of Booth, but
Edwin with one hand wildly and rapidly
returned a succession of blows directly
into the ribs of his antagonist until the
fellow, becoming almost breathless stag
gered and fell and Booth was proclaimed
the conquerer-althou a damaged one
From that time we were constant friends
TO the end of his life
'Was Booth in boyhood of a moody dis
position2'
mo, nor in manhood, as I knew him
When sharing the same bedroom with
him | have known him frequently to
Shrek with merrimenJ at some ludicrous
incident, and from II O'Clock at night
until daybreak, at intervals, he would
burst out with a roar of laughter"
WAS he studiOus yOuthin
RooTH AS "DANDY JIM"
"Not particularly so. When a boy he
composed several little poems of no mean
order. He was a capital horseman and
1,1oynd VIC oil I
when negro ministrelsy came into vogue,
IN imitation of the original Ethiopian
Serenaders,' he used to masquerade at
social gatherings with blackened face as
Dandy Jim of Caroline, while ! was the
'coOred wench attired in the girls dress
and pantalettes of the period These
Edwin would stealthily purloin for the
occasion from the wardrobe Of his sister,
Asia, who afterward became my wife"
You remember, of course, the elder
BoothR"
"Oh, yes. Edwin and l usually passed
our school holidays at Edwin s birthplace,
The Farm, in Maryland, where his great
father revelled as an amateur in agricul-
tural pursuits. With plenty of time to
think, many are the incidents of those
DAYS l might recall"
How does New York appear to you2"
"a wonderful city ! was rather
shocked upon seeing the cable cars in
Broadway, but soon became accustomed
TO them, and rather like them. L now man
age to dodge them effectually,"
Have you visited the theaters2"
Yes, and at several beautiful theaters,
under the command of Mr.. Charles Froh-
man, witnessed some capital acting,
while l thought the plays were admirably
mounted; and at other houses heard
musical eXtraVaganzas, admirably COS
tuned and staged Yet l should like to
fhaCa oil !,
bic, more equally divided with what is
termed the genuine Legitimate drama
However, that will come with Henry
Irving and Ellen Terry"
IRVING AND BOOTH ON FRIENDLY TERMS.
Were the relations between Booth and
Irving friendly"
yes, always, on both sides Irving.
before he became famous, was a warm adj
mirer of Booths acting l well remem-
Der, before Booths theater was opened.
Edwin writing TO me asking if could
suggest any English actor to support him
in leading Shakesperean characters
mentioned the matter to Irving, and his
modest reply was in effect, that he had
acted IN Booths pieces when Booth first
performed in England, and had not the
temerity TO venture to play equal parts
with 50 fine an actor Yet not many
years later, in London, they alternated
OlubliO anu ldRO with UDe greatest sue
cess and in the most friendly spirit"
Mr.. Clarke is 50 years old, but is old
only in years and in the whiteness Of his
hair. His carriage is erect, his step is
elastic, his eyes are clear and have
twinkle in them, and he seems to have the
vigor and enthusiasm of youth His wife
died six years ago, and he has not acted
since then. His theatrical career began
in his childhood, when he used to play
opposite parts in tragedy with Edwin
Booth. He entered the ONCE of Elisha r.
Sprague, in Baltimore, to study law. but
his tastes drew him to the professional
stage.
His first regular engagement was at the
sold Chestnut" theater in PHILADELPHIA.
where he played Soto" in "She Would
and She Would Not" in August. 1852.
The following January he was promoted
70 be leading comedian Of the theater. He
became the leading comedian Of the Arch
Street theater. in Philadelphia. in 1855,
and became Joint lessee and manager with
William Wheatley, making occasional
starring tours TO southern cities where
ne was highly successful.
a CENTEEARIAN'S WHEN.
Though 10Y Years Old He Sleeps in
an Elm.