The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-28
MURDER IN A VARIETY rHEArER.
A Spokane Gambler Shoots Two 40.
tresses and Then Himself.


trcsses and Then Himself.
SPoKASE, March q. - Especial. - A
double murder and suicide occurred at
the Casino theater at half-past 2 this
morning. Charles Elliott. well-known
sporting man, had been occupying the box
nearest the stage on the right-hand side
for about an hour, when he was seen to
lean forward from the box and fire three
shots at the performers on the stage, four
in number. He then placed the muzzle
of the revolver in his mouth and fired
again, the bullet going through the top of
his head. The three shots fired took eff
feet. one entering the left breast of Mabel
De Babian,a a variety actress who was doing
a turn on the stage. Anothey bullet en-
tered the back of Carrie Smith, just above
the left hip, indicting dangerous wound
which may prove fatal. After being shot.
Miss De Babian reeled and fell in the left
wing, where she expired in about fifteen
minutes. Carrie Smith was taken to the
hospital, where she now lies in critical
condition.
From all indications Elliott intended to
kill Lulu Durand, another actress. who
was on the stage at the time. The follow.
ing note found in his pocket gives color to
this belief.
Lala DurGnd: have wanted to carry out nv
purpose, but haven't had a favorable chance vet,
1t was an old score, but / had to settle with YOU,
l trust to luck and good shot to accomplish my
purpose. CHARLES ELLIOTT.
MISS Durand came here from New York
last August. She said today:
do not know what reason Elliott had to Iill
me, as only had slight acquaintance with
him. Miss De Babian had assumed my name In
his presence, and he meant TO kill Miss Durand,
thinking that to be Miss De Babian's name
From the conversation I had with Miss De
Babian in my dressing room, she seemed anpre-
hensive OF trouble, and just before going on the
stage said, IL wish had carried out my inten.
tion and remained in my room
Miss Carrie Smith was interviewed at the
hospital and said:
never knew the man who shot me- Inerer
saw him before in my life, and what his motive
was am not able to tell ! had lust finished an
act, and he sent word to me that he liked INV
act very much and that he wanted to see me
went TO the box and he talked very pleasantly
and said he was feeling blue. He ordered hot.
tie OF wine but drank none himself, saving he
was afraid to trust himself to drink.
The girls claim that four shots were
fired in quick succession, and that one
went into the scenery and the others into
human beings. They said it was hard TO
believe that any one could be shooting to
kill. They all thought some one was try.
ing to joke In the box where the muir
derer sho, himself the door and chairs are
covered with blood, and the place presents
a horrible sight.
Mabel De Babian, the actress who was
killed. was "a years old and quite pretty.
She came here with the MABEL Franci,
Burlesque Company, with which she
played at Portland and Seattle. At the
inquest it was learned that her full name
was Mabel De Babian Bown.
A member of the "Sea King company.
now playing here, identified the body, and
said:
She was the wife of William Paul Bowp.
very clever comedian who is now dead. she
WAS talented and highly educated, possessed