Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-12-07
Isl ssIocum' with a Tragedy.
natal Shot.

q promising young HE was witnessed
by more than 1000 people at the Coli
scum Theatre this afternoon. In the
progress of the play Isl Slocum," An
ma Van Bohren, the leading actress
Of the company, was shot by rifle
bah and almost instantly killed by the
star, Frank /. Frayne. For several
years past expert rifle shots have been
introduced into variety acts and border
dramas, the feats of shooting apples or
other objects held in the hands of 9TH
er persons or resting on their heads.
Fancy shooting, of course, could be ex-
hibited in a perfectly safe way, but a
certain morbid public taste, that
seems to crave what is most dangerous,
made this style of entertainment profit
able. Frayne was one of the first, if
not the very first, to introduce that
style Of rihe-shooting into dramat-
ic performances. His plays were
written with situations wherein
the hero, played by himself,
would be required 10 hit with rifle
ball, bullet held by one of the charac-
tiers, or an apple resting on woman's
head Often has the prediction been
made that by some unfortunate ac-
cident some one would some time be
killed, and the prophecy has at last
been fulfilled, and with attendant cir
cumstanCes that make the circum-
stance doubly terrible This afternoon
the Coliseum TheatGr was crowded to
its utmost capacity, the count of the
tickets showing the presence If 2900
people. The play was the drama of
Isl Slocum." Frayne has produced it
III all the principal cities Of this coun-
try and in Great Britain. 1t relies for
its interest upon its blood curdling sit
uations. In the fourth scene, entitled on
the bills, "a terrific bear fight" Mr..
Frayne makes some marvellous shots,
among others, "the double shot" ga
test OF courage" says the synopsis III
the act. 1t was test of courage in
deed. Here it was where the terrible
fatality occurred. 81 Siocnm (Frayne)
and Ruth SlOcum (Anna Van Bohren)
were in the power Of Yesquez, an out
law III. NJ. Markham). On the stage
in this scene were Frayne in his back
woodsman's dress, Anna Van Bohren,
somewhat similarly attired with brown
dress and brown stockings, or iegglngs
with the fringe that ttsttaffy accompsrr-
les the frontier costumes of the
stage, Markham and George
Bear, who played the part
or Jim Bttdsoe. Vesques, the outlaw
tells Si0cunl that he is doomed TO die,
but he will give him a single chance
for his life-a fearful chance. With
his back turned toward his wife he
must shoot an apple from her head
with rifle bullet. Si0cunl accepts the
alternative. Ruth SlocuDl, blindfolded,
is placed at the left of the stage, with
the apple on her head, while Slocua,
from the other side, fires the shot That
is to free them. The shot is made by
resting the gun on the shoulder of the
shooter, with the butt of the gun in
front of him. In the stock is fixed the
handle Of little mirror, with which
aim is taken. Those familiar with the
rifle say this is the easiest fancy shot
made on the stage. This afternoon
when Frayne made his preparation,
the audience, largely women and chill
dren, were breathless. Miss Van BOhren
stood like a statute, with her eyes ban
daged. There was the crack of the
. rife and then the women fell, to the
horror of all those on the stage. Frayne
dropped his gun, and stood transhxed
with horror. The curtain was swiftly
lowered, shutting out the scene from
the audience, who did not know what
10 think. A buzz went through the
house. Mr.. Markham cafe before the
house, pale and nervous, and announc-
ed that Miss Van Bohren had been
hurt and the performance would be
discontinued. Few realized the tragedy
The crowd dispersed without excite
ment. The scene on the stage after the
lowering of the curtain can scarcely be
conceived. There was panic; none
knew what to do. The dying woman lay
prone upon the stage, with the brain
matter oozing from a ghastly wound
above the left eye, and red blood run
ming from he nostrils. On his knees at
her side, embracing and kissing her, the
woman that was soon to have been his
wife, the woman he had killed, was
Frayne, fairly shrieking his grief, call
ing down curses upon himself and kiss
ing again and again the lips that we're
growing cold. Friends drew him away,
and placed the loved body from which
life was swiftly passing, on lounge.
The manager was in his office when
the shot was fired. He rushed upon the
stage and ordered the announcement
made from the front to prevent a panic.
Frayne was taken to the station and
gave his name as Frank 1. Frayne, 43
years Of age. He was permitted to sit
with his friends in the Office of the sta
ton. lie was scarcely able to talk from
grief, but he told how he loved the girl
and that she was soon to become his
wife. He asked to be locked up and did
not want bail. Finally he. together with
Manager Finnessey and Hubert Heuck.
were driven to Judge Higiey's house.
and bail in $1,000 was accented and
Frayne released. In the meantime
silent vigil was kept on the dimly LIGHT.
cd stage Of the darkeued theater over
the body Of poor Anna Van Bohren.
She died twenty minutes after she was
snot The coroner, after a time, arrived
and advised the removal Of the BODY.
TafonrarJ1s vera sent tn friends of ~ q