Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-12-09
Frayne's Fatal Bullet.

CINCINNATI, December During
the performance oil the play known as
"Si Slocum," at the Coliseum Theatre,
yesterday afternoon, Frank Frayne shot
and killed Miss Aunie Won Behren,
member of his company. The shooting
was accidental. Miss Won Behren was
acting the part of Ruth Slocum." The
fourth act had been reached, where
"Marcnm," the villain, demands that
Isl" shall shoot an apple from the head
of Ruth, his wife, saying: 1T must
be with the backward shot" The usual
preparations we're made. Ruth took
her position a distarce Of thirty fee,
from Isl" who turned his back to her
Then placing the ride over his shoulder
he took aim by means Of the mirror,
fired, and Miss Won Behren fell to the
floor without word or groan. Frayne
at once realized the dreadful truth. He
rushed to the PROSTATE girl and fell in
a swoon, with one arm over her body.
Instantly the curtain was lowered, and
Manager FeHnessy announced TO the
audience that the woman had received
only a slight injury Then he added
that the play would end without the
fifth act. No one had seen any blood,
ard the people went out without know
ing the extent of the tragedy. There
we're fully $500 people in The house,
the Thanksgiving matinee having an
audience that filled every seat. So
quick was the curtain lowered that the
audience had no apprehension of the
tragedy that had occurred and passed
qnielly out without any disorder. Some
grunbled because the accident had pre-
vented their seeing the fifth act and
others were heard remarking that the
woman must have had very narrow
escape aud the prediction was heard on
all sides that the girl was taking great
risk in permitting Frayne TO shoot at
the apple on her head in that way and
sometime she wOuld be killed.
While the audience were passing out
and indulgng in such remarks as these
the utmost confusion had obtained be.
hind the curtain. Frayne, bending over
the PROSTATE woman, was appealing in
the tenderest and most urgent tones
that she should speak to him. AsurgeOn
was Cal ed aud the girl was borne to her
dressing room where in titiecn minutes
she died, without having uttered word
or giving a sign OF consciousness. The
ball struck about two inches above the
left eye and half an inch to the lett OF
the median line. The body was left
lying at the theatre.
Within half or three quarters of an
hour i, began to be realized that Frayne
might be suspected Of having shot The
glr Intentionally. AS soon as this was
suggested to him be demanded to be
taken to police headquarters at once.
a closed carriage WAS secured and IN
company with the manager OF the thea
tire hs was driven To the Ninth street
station house Members Of the compa-
ny made their way on foot and police.
men and others followed after. Frayne
would not permit the manager OF the
theatre to explain to the otficerin charge
what had happened, but demanded to
be locked upin the darkest cell nstant-
Is. Then he burst into tears.
Something was said about bail, which
he heard, wnen he rushed forward again
and demanded TO he locke up, say ing
he would not give bail or permit any
one else to give it for him. He was
finally Gained aud taken to his hotel.
The members of the company seem
overwhelmed with grief. Miss Fon
Behren had been doing this part fortwo
years and was tavorilc. The rifle
which Fraync used is Stevens breeeh
loader, twenty-five calbre, and has been
IN nse six years. He says the shot is
perfectly safe with al ordinary marks
man, as the apple is placed on cap,
which raises it tour inches above the
head In explanation of the accident,
he says that when he fred he beard the
catch spring strike, the flash burned his
shirt collar and he observed that the
cartridge shell was partly blown out.