Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-12-04
SHOT DEAD ON THE STAGE.
The Sensational Scene ef "Sl Sloeum"
Marked by Terrible Tragedy I'm Cincin-
natl.

The theatres at Cincinnati were all we'll
patronized Thanksgiving day. This was
especially the case at the Coliseum, the
house being literally packed at the matinee
performances. The play was ''Si Slocum,
\ picture of California life, presented by
Frank |. Frayne and his company. In the
fourth act il becomes necessary for Ruth
Slocum, the part taken by Miss Anna Won
Behren, to save her husbands lite. to allow
an apple to be shot from her head by her
husband. When the play reached this point
to-day there was a breathless silence in the
theatre. Every eye was fastened on the
stage when the pretty young actress stood
immovable with the apple upon her head,
while 30 feet distant Frayne was pointing
the polished rifle backward over his shoulder
Every ear WAS strained to catch the report
Frsvne was unusually deliberate. For 4
moment he stood adjusting the weapon and
steadying the sight. At last after what had
seemed minutes to the onlookers, he
pulled the trigger. Instead of
the sharp, clear report that the
rife should have made, there came a
muffied explosion like shot heard from altar.
and little puff of smoke came from both
the muzzle and the breach of the weapon.
Ruth stood for second and then fell back
ward On the stage. Frayne looked around In
a dazed way and glanced at his shirt which
was singsL with powder. Then, seeing Miss
Won Behren fall, he rushed across the stage
CRYING: My God, My God. What have |
done ?" and dropped down beside her. That
was all the audience saw, for just as they
realized that something outside of the or
binary course of affairs had happened. the
curtain came rolling down. shutting the scene
from their ewes. In few moments Manager
Hennessy appeared before the curtain and
announced that an accident had occurred.
How serious it was he did not know, but he
said it would be impossible to continue the
performance, and he accordingly dismissed
the audience.
Meanwh lille on the stage the greatest con-
fusion prevailed. Miss Won Behren was ~
ing lifeless on the boards. her forehead splash
ed with blood, while crimson Hood poured
from her nostrils. Mr.. Frayne was In a FAINT
near her. The members Of the company ran
excitedly hither and thither. A basin OF
water was brought, and while some sponged
the blood from the face OF the girl, others
h,,hed Mr.. Frayne's head until conscious
mes, vas restored. Presently DR.. L. 4
Ouerner arrived, and on making an examlna,
ton found that the ball instead OF
splitting the apple had entered the
forehead of the actress at point about two
inches above the left eye and half an inch
from the medal line. Although she was III
sensible, not q muscle quivered. and not
tremor being visible to indicate that che still
fingered. her pulse was still beating, and II
did not finally cease until almost fifteen MIN
utes had elapsed. Mr.. Frayne meanwhile
.rpeared almost frantic with grief. He wruna
his hand and moaned. now crying out like
child and then breaking into sobs. He eS
planned that just at the critical moment wher
the weapon vas discharged the pin or spring
catch, holding the barrel in place, snapped
Allowing the long steel tube to drop, thu
throwing the breech up and the muzzie do"n
OF course this detected the bullet IRON ~
pris i rent lower and buried itself in tn
hr.;n Of the actress. The spring which ha'
c.used all the mischief vas Afterwards p'cke'
mn on the door Of the theatre, twenty zee
from the stage.