The Portland daily press., 1894-10-02
LlNCOLN'S ASSASSIN.
The Only Reference Ever Made by Edwil
Booth to His Brothers Crime.

The October number Of The Century
will contain some interesting letters
written by Edwin Booth-letters in
which he mentions with heartfelt sin
cerity and pathos the tragedy of Mr..
Lincoln's murder by his brother, John
Wilkes Booth. No other reference to
the crime by Edwin Booth is known.
These are the letters in question:
To Miss F Gary, Cam bridge, Mass.
Saturday, May 6. 1865.
My dear Friend: I have just received
your letter. I have been in one sense
una hle to write, but you know, of course
what ms condition is, and need no ex-
cuses.
have been by the advice of my
friends "cooped up' since arrived here,
going out only occasionally. in the even
ing. My health is good. but suffer
from the want of fresh air and exercise.
Poor mother is in Philadelphia about
Mrs. Clarke, is i'll, and without tue least
knowledge OF her husband, who was
taken from her several days ago, with
Junius. 9sse 2
My position is such "a delicate one
that / am obliged to use the utmost
caution. Hosts of friends are staunch
and true TO me. Here and in Boston
feel safe. What I am in Phila. and
elsewhere know not. All do (know)
of the above mentioned city is that there
is one great heart firm and faster bound
to me than ever. Sent in answer TO
Dear Marys prayers.-I faithfully believe
it. She will do what Mary struggled,
suffered and died in doing. My baby,
too, is there. Now that the greatest ex-
citement is over and lull is in the
eyfa faaI fhn off 4 \ H.. -.
but during the heat of it + was glad she
was not here. When Junius and Mr..
Clarke are at liberty mother will come
here and bring Edwina to me. l wish
I could see with others eyes; all nv
friends assure me that my name shall
be free, and that in little while may
be where | was and what I was, but
alas it it looks DARK to cle
God bless you all for your great assis.
tance in my behalf; even dear Dick aided
me in my. extremity, did he not?
Give my love to all, and kisses to
George. ! do not think the
feeling is so strong in my favor in Phila.
as it is here and in Boston. am not
Ever yours,
EDWIN BOOTH.
To Miss Emma F. Cary, Cam bridge,
New York, Novem ber "a, 1866.
My dear Friend: Pray forgive my
neglect. I've beell little bothered of
late, and could not bring my mind to a
calm. My affairs are quite .unsettled !
don't know yet when l shall act, or what
I shall do next. -.
It seems a long time since visited
uburn Cemetery } last. have lost
the level run Of time and events, and
am living in mist. But an. told my
health is better than it ever was. I do
not realize it, but am bored by people
saying am getting fat. 1 am a little
Byronic in my dislike Of such compli-
ments, because don't feel as l look.
Mother is very much broken, l think.
| poor soul :. b. She seems to have
still a lingering hope in her heart that
all this will prove to be a dream.
Y'r faithful friend,
To Mrs. r. T. Gary, Boston.
New York, Dec. co. 1865.
My dear Friend. +. Let it pass :;
life is great big spelling book, and on
| every page we turn the words grow
harder 10 understand the meaning Of
But there is meaning, and when the
last leaf fops over .we'll know the whole
| lesson by heart. You have also. doubt-
less, heard that l will soon annear e@u on
| the stage. Since really. were it not for
means, would not do so, public sym
| pathY Notwithstanding: but | have debts
| to pay, family to care for, love for
the q land and beautiful in art, to boot
to crafty, and hence my sudden resolve
to abandon the heavy, achin gloom OF
my little red room, where have sat so
longschewing my heart in solitude, for
the excitement o. the only trade for
which God has fitted me.
Ever truly y'r friend,
EDWIN BOOTH.
Windsor Hotel. July 2s, 1881.
Dear Sir: can give you very little in
formation regarding my BROTHER John.
! seldom saw him since his early boy
hood in Baltimore. He was rattle