The Morning herald., 1875-11-22
81 sIoea,n, the Dead Shot.

l.
A ABAcKwooDsMAN IN THE MEsHEs OF THE
LAW - -EMBARRASsMENTs WITH HIS
AGENT.
Judge DoHohue granted an injunction
yesterday against the theatrical company
known as "ihe Frank Frayn Rifle Team"
to prevent the performance Of the drama
Isl Slocun," in the Bowery Theatre. The
complainant is Col. J. Holmes Grover, who
says he is the business agent for Frank
Frayne, and the story told in the complaint
is interesting. Mr.. Frayne is kentuckian
by birth, and has the traditional skill with
the rifle that ever Kentuckian is supposed
to have. His " ife is also fine shot, and
his little son Freddy, "a lad of tender
years." as the complaint says, has also re-
markable skill. Mr.. Frayne had, in addi-
ton to his talent, and that of his family, a
trained Indian pony and an English mas
tiff. To utilize all this talent Mr.. Clifton
W. Tayleur, the dramatist, wrote play
called Isl Slocum," a regular backwoods
drama of some merit, in which the whole
strength of Mr.. Frayne's little family and
the horse and the dog were exhibited. For
the use Of this drama Mr.. Frayne paid the
author 33l per cent. royalty until the 9Th
Of last August whea the complainant, MI.
Grover, loaned the actor 81, 900, with which
to buy the copyright Of the play, and an
agreement was entered into on the 10th of
August that Grover should be the business
agent Of the company, and have one-fourth
of the net proceeds of the performances.
There was also to be sinking fund for
paying the 81, 900 loan. On the 9Th of this
month the 81 900 was paid. The complaint
says that on Saturday night last after play
ing successful engagement in Philadel-
phia, Mr. Frayne gave him notice that his
Growers services as agent were no longer
needed, and then left the city on the late
train for New York. 1t was further al
legged that the complainant had spent $2,-
600 of his own money in buying costumes,
in printing and advertising. |
Col. Grover said that he Immediately |
came 70 this city and found the company
playing in the Bowery Theatre, and Mr..
Charles Wing acting as business agent, but
says that Mr.. Meath, the manager of the
theatre, would not recognize him, but
made him pay to get into the house,
Therefore the complainant prayed that a
receiver be appointed to the possession Of
all properties, wardrobe, manuscript,
book, music notes, rifles, guns,
pistols, bowie knives, the Indian pony
'Hackserry," the English mastitf "Jack,'
and all the other property Of the company
md that Mr.. Frayne be enjoiued fro II
playing the drama.
The lawyers of the complainant and the
Sheriff tried to serve the papers on Mr..
Frayne and Mr.. Meath Yesterday but were
Unable to find them. In the evening
when the doors for the performance were
opened, one Of the counsel for the Sheriff
'ndeavored to enter the theatre. The
loorkeeper resisted, and there was Il rip
'le of excitement, which was speedily
luieted by the gentlemen going to the box
'fice. Then the parties signed a paper
that the play might go on, and .
hat one-fourth Of the receipts be held in
act to await the order of the court. The
Injunction was served on Mr.. Fravne in
lis dressing-room.
The reporter atterward found him pull
ing on pair of Indian leggings prepar- {
ory to "going on" in the second act. =,
runs, pistols and knives were scattered
round the room, and the famons Jack" +
ay sleeping by the fire. Mr.. Frayne, who i
eemed even behind the scenes to be the ,
emile, honest backweodsman he person. :
tes, said that the was ready to put his :
ction to the test of the law that he could
rove that Mr.. Grover was thoroughly
and had grossly failed to full :
| his part Of the contract. Instead of :
rover being out Of pocket he (Frayne)
as the victim.
Here the actor was called on the Stage.
Lis skill, as set forth in the Complaint
as not over estimated, for while on the
age he shot an apple from the head of =
is wife with his back turned toward her,
'oking in small mirror to do it. 1t was Z
bona 6de shot. His wife also shot one
milo from, hi, bo,I