The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-11
A STARTLING TRAGEDY.
A Woman Shot Dead by Another on the
staEe-Reckless Use of Fire Arms.

Providence (R. H. Special N. Y Herald, April 81
:, a terrible tragedy occurred this evening at
the Opera-Honse, in Pawtucket in this State,
curing one oil those sensational and reckless
exhlbltlOns In workmanship, originally intro
duced on the stage by Frank Frayne and his
WIFE Miss Clara Butler. In this instance the
holder OF the rifle was woman, and she in
sthntly Killed another woman who was hold
ing the apple aimed at on her head On
Monday last q variety company hailine from
the Mozart Garden, in the city Of Brooklyn.
N. Y, commenced an engagement at the
Pawtucket Opera House, their performances
whose stage name Is Miss Jennie Fran rankin
She usually began by firing at target and
at various objects, closing that part OF her
performances by shooting at an apple placed
pany, known as Mile. Volante, who also ap-
peared as trapeze performer.
In order to intensity the sensational charac-
ter of this act, Miss Franklin, instead of tax
ing direct aim at the apple on nj lie. Volante's
tanned her range by means OF q small mirror
placed at the wing. This mirror has to be-
arranged at such an angie that it's face will
bring the face OF the person supporting the
apple directly in the centre Of the glass. The
holder OF the rifle places the weapon over her
right shoulder, and then takes aim through
the sights ut the reflected image before her.
The trick has been repeatedly accomplished
and steadiness to strike the reflected apple
with precision, and has always been deemed
a foolhardy and dangerous experiment.
This evening the variety entertainment
passed off as usual until the rifle shooting
act, when the audience was Mortified by see
ing the unfortunate trapeZe performer shot
dead. Miss Franklin displayed considerable
skill in hitting her target and other objects
while firing directly at them, and she seemed
confident and assured when the final feat was
to be attempted. Mile Volante stepped alert
ly to her station, smiling at the audience as
she did so. Placing the apple Ian ordinary
sized one on the top OF her head, where it
rested in her luxuriant hair she stood notion
less as a statue. Miss Franklin also took her
station near the footjghts, in front OF the
mirror, and deliberately aimed over her
shoulder through the glass at her Inflated
friend. The audience sat in silence, curiously
deceitful trick, when suddenly the trigger
was pulled, and at the same instant q shrek
resounded through the hall as the unfortu-
nate Volante fell forward on the stage.
Everything was now in confusion, both be-
fore and behind the footlights, the audience
being In state OF terror at the desouement of
what had promised to be only pleasant bit
Of sensation. At first it was only supposed
that Mile. Volante had been wounded, but it
was not many minutes before the news spread
that the woman had been instantly killed, the
fatal bullet having entered her forehead and
pierced the brain.
Miss Franklin was Immediately placed I'M
der arrest by the local police, and is now
locked up to await the action of the coroner.
She seemed to be half crazed with horror at
the occurrence, only realizing the reckIessness
Of her act when it was too late.
Mile. Volante, who 50 suddenly closed her
career In this shocking manner, has only been
on the variety stage four or five weeks, and
no one at Pawtucket or here seems to know
her history. The tragedy has naturally
caused great excitement in the town of Paw
tucket. This accident will, of course, put a
stop to all such exhibitions, no matter who
may attempt them.