The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-15
John Wilkes Booth. 1t was written in
1881 and is as follows:

John Wilkes Booth. 1t was written in
1881 and is as follows:
Windsor Hotel, July 2S, 1881.
Dear Sir: can give you very little in
formation regarding my brother John. |
seldom saw him since his early boyhood in
Baltimore. He was rattle-pated fellow,
filled with QuiXotic notions. While at the
farm in Maryland he would charge On
horseback through the woods, "spouting'
heroic speeches with a lance in his hand.
a relic of the Mexican war, given to fa
ther by some soldier who had served un-
der Taylor. We regarded him as "A good
hearted, harmless, though wild-brained
boy, and used to laugh at his patriotic
froth whenever secession was discussed.
That he was insane on that point, no one
who knew him well can doubt When l
told him that | had voted for Lincoln's
reelection he expressed deep regret and
declared his belief that Lincoln would be
made king of America; and this, | be-
lieve, drove him beyond the limits of
reason | asked him once why he did not
join the Confederate army To which Re
replied: Il promised mother / would keep
out of the quarrel, If possible, and | am
sorry that l said So" Knowing my SEN
tments, he avoided me, hardly visiting my
house, except to see his mother, when
political topics We're not touched upon, at
least in my presence. He was of gentle
LOVING disposition, very boyish and full of
fun, his mothers darling, and his deed and
death crushed her spirit. He possessed
rare dramatic talent, and would have
made a brilliant mark in the theatrical
world. This is positively all know about
him, having left him mere schoolboy
when ] went with father to California in
1852. On my return in SO we were separ-
ated by professional engagements, which
kept him mostly in the SOUTH while / was
employed in the Eastern and Northern
states. ! do not believe any of the wild
romantic stories published in the papers
concerning him, but, of course, he may
have been engaged in political matters Of
which | know nothing. All his theatrical
friends speak of him as poor, crazy boy,
and as such his family think of him. | am
sorry | can afford you no further light on
the subject. Very truly yours
Edwin Booth.
FOOTLIGHT FLASHES
Learock's presentation of "Taust" is re.
ceiying praise wherever played.
prince Ananias" is the best money
maker brought forward by the Boston,
ians
Emma Pollock, of Harrigan's Company,
was married in Boston to Frank II. Glaze,
u banker of New York.
George Thatcher and Carroll Johnson
have formed a partnership and will COM
mence their tour Jan. q.
M. b. Curtis will produce a new play,
the Joint effort of a journalist and play
writer, at Harlem, Dec. 10.
Jacob Lift has secured the right to play
SHAFT No 2" from +. l.. Bixby. Frank
Losee will continue to play leads.
Frederick Warde will produce his new
play, "Runnymede" shortly, taking the
part of Robin Hood. Louis James will
play the friar.
Annie Lewis of "Prince Pro Tenn" has
purchased for her father and mother a
home in the ultra select suburb of Wash
lnton Chevy Chacc. The price was $1,000.
The Association of Vaudeville Managers
of Americais the title Of n new organiza-
tion that is soon to be Incorporated under
the laws of the State of New York. w. j.
Gilmore, of Philadelphia, is the treasurer.