Decapitation of the Union

[Susan Higginbotham]

The signature affixed to the pane (see page 891 of the Century article) bears no date. It could have been taken from the register for June. (Apparently, none of the registers have survived.)

I'm inclined to accept the evidence of the hotel cashier, who gave only June dates for Booth's stay in Meadville. Why would he conceal an August 13 stay? And if Booth did indeed perform in Meadville, why do we know nothing about what he performed and who he performed with? Surely a stage appearance by a famous actor in the oil country would have excited some comment.