The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-06
A STARTLING TRAGEDY.

A WOMAN SHOT DEAD BY ANOTHER ONE ON
THE srAcE-REcKLEss USE or FIREARMS
TERRIBLE ENDING 10 VARIETY PERFoR-
NANCE AT PAwrUcKET, II. l.
By TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
PROVIDENCE, r. l., april 6, 1878.
terrible tragedy occurred this evening at the
Opera House. IN Pawtuckst, Ia this State, during
one OF those sensational and reckless exhibi.
lions 10 craftsmanship. originally introduced
on the stage by Frank frayno and his
wife, Miss Clara Butler In this Instance the holder
Of the rife was u woman, and she Instantly killed
another woman who was holding the apple aimed
al on her head On Monday last variety
company haillng from tho Mozart Garden, IN tho
city OF Brooklyn, n. ", commenced IN engagement
at the Pawtucket Opera House, their performance
being OF An ordinary character. except tho
foats In rifle shooting by Mra Jennie Fow-
Ter, whose stage name is Miss jennie Frank
lin. She usually began by firing ut a target
and at various objects, closing that part Of her per-
torrance by shooting ut an apple placed tho head
Of another member of the company, known as Mile.
volantc, who also appeared as q trapeze performer
SHOOTING WITH REFLECTED AIM
In order 10 Intensity tho sensational character OF
this act, Miss Franklin, instead OF taking direct
aim ut tho apple on Mile. Volante's head,
faced in an opposite direction and obtained
her range by means Of small mirror
placed the wing. This mirror has to be arranged
At an angle that It's lace will bring the TACO
OF tho person supporting tho apple directly in
the centre VI the glass Tho holder OF tbc
RHO places tho weapon over her right shoulder.
keeping the trigger guard pressed close and
steady TO her shoulder, and then takes aim through
tho sights At tho reelected image before her. Tho
trick has boon repeatedly accom- pshed with success
rent nd sle n
tho rejected apple with precision, and has always
been deemed . ioolhardy and dangerous experiment.
STARTLING TRAGEDY.
This cvcning tho variety entertainment passed of
usual until tho rifle shooting act, whom tho audi
once norrasd by seeing tho unfortunate trapeze
performer shot dead Miss Franklin displayed
considerable skill in hitting her target and
other objects while firing directly NJ them,
and she seemed confident and assured when the dnai
feat was to be attempted Mile. yolanto stepped
aerly 10 station. smiling the audience she
did so. Placing tho APPLE an ordinary sized onc
on tho top OF her head, where Il rested
in her uxurant she stood motionlcss statue.
Miss Franklin also took her station tho foot
lights IN front tho mirror, and deliberately aimed
over her shoulder through the glass at her III
fated frcnd. The audience sat In silence. curiously
watching tho performers and suspecting some Deceit
full trick, when suddenly the trigger was pulled and
Al tho same instant shrek resoundcd through the
hall US the unfortunate Voanto Tell forward on tho
stage
noRRlrIED AUDIENCE.
Everything was nov 10 confusion both before and
behind The ootlights, the audience being In Of
terror the Involvement Of what had promised DO
only pleasant bt Of sensation. At asst II only
supposed that Nile volanto had been wounded, but 1t
was no, many minutes before the news spread that
tho woman had been instantly Killed, the fatal bull
lot having entered nor forehead and pierced the
brain.
ARREST OF MISS FRANKLIN.
Miss Franklin was immediately placed under arrest
by the local police and Ia locked up the
action OF the Coroner. Sho seemed be half crazed
with at the currencc only realizing the rock
icesness OF her when II was too late
Milo. voiante, who suddenly closed her career
this shocking manner, has only boon tho variety
stage four I'VE weeks. and At pawtucket OF
| hero seems TO know her history Tho ira ody has
naturally caused great excitement IN the town Of
PawtuckeI This ACCIDENT viii, OF course, put . ssoI
10 all such exhibitions, matter who may attemp,
] thom