Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-04-06
A Startling TRAGEDY.

Providence, R. l., April Ga terrible
tragedy occurred last evening at the Opera
House, in Pawtuckct, in this State, during one
of those sensational aud reckless EXHIBITIONS 10
marksnau.hip originally introduced on the
stage BY Frank Fraync and his wife, Miss Clara
Butler. In this Instance the holder of the rife
was a woman, aod she Instantly killed another
woman who was holding the apple aimed at 90
her head. Ga Monday last variety co npaDy
hailiog from the Mozart Garden, 10 the city OF
Brooklyn, New York, commenced an engage
ment at the Pawtucket Opera House, their per-
Torrance being of an ordinary character, except
the feats in rife shooting by MIS-. Jennie Eow.
Ter, whose stage name is Miss Jennie FraDkIlo.
She usually began by firing at target aud at
various objects, closing that part OF her per
formaucc by shooting at an apple placed on the
head Of another member Of the company, known
as Mile. Volante, who also appeared as trapeze
performer.
10 order tointcrsify the sensational character
Of this act Miss Franklin, instead Of taking d.
rect aim at the apple 90 Mile. Volante's head,
faced in an opposite direction and obtained her
range by mea1s of small mirror placed at the
| wing. This mirror has to be arranged at such
40 angle that its face will briog the face of the
person supporting the apple directly in the
centre CT the glass. The holder of the rife
places the weapon over her right shoulder,
keeping the trigger guard pressed close aod
steady to her shoulder. AID then takes aim
through the 81 gifts at the reflected image BE-
fore her. The trick has been repeatedly accom-
plished with success, but it requires great cool
ness and steadiness to strike the ref ected apple
with precision, and has always been deemed
foolhardy and dangerous experiment.
This evening the variety entertainment pass
ed off as usual until the rifle shooting act, when
the audience was Mortified by seeing the No.
fortunate trapeze performer shot dead. Miss
Franklin displayed considerable skill in hit
ting her target acd other objects while
6riog directly at them, and she seem.
ed confident and assured when the final feat
was to be attempted. Mile. Volaute stepped
IS she did co. Placing the apple an ordinary
size one, on the top CT her hesd, where it rested
in her luxurisnt hair she stood motionless as s
statue. Miss Franklin also took her station
ear the foot lights in front Of the mirror, and
dellberste aimed over her shoulder through the
glass at her i'll. fated friend. The audience sat
in silence, curionsly watching The performers
and suspecting some deceiitu trick, whom sud-
/ denly the trigger YVES pulled and st tho same
Instance shrek resounded through the hall as
the unfortunate Volsnte fell forward on the
stage.
Everything was now in confusion both before
and behind the foot.ights, the audience being in
state IF terror at the denouement Of what had
promised 10 be only pleasant bit of sensation.
At hrst it was only supposed that Mile Vosnte
had been wounded, but it was not many m nutes
before the news snresd that the woman had
been instantly killed the fatal bullet having en-.
tered her forehead anl pierced the brain.
Miss franklin was Immediately placed uIder
srreat nv the local uolice and is now locksd up
10 await the action of tho Coroner. She seem cd
IN ha half cr.zed with horror at the occurrence,
w - /. - =. II 49,.