The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-28
-FOUR SHOTS FROM A BOX|
A Bloody Tragedy Enacted In the
Casino Variety Theater at
Spokane Falls.
Mabel Debabian KILLED and Carrie
Smith Fatally Injured BY
Charles Elliott
Lou Durand. Well Known in Mont.n.
Variety Theaters. the Object of
His sAim--Suicide.

SPOKANE, March 27.-[Special. IA double
murder and suicide occurred at the Casino
variety theater at 2:30 this morning. Chas,
Elliott, we'll known sporting man and
FARO deAlsr, 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 fro three shots
at the performers ON the stage, four in mum
Der. He then placed the muzzle OF the re-
volver III his mouth and fired again, the
bullet going through the top Of his head.
The three shots fred took effect, one enter
ing the lest breast of Mabel Dsbabian. a
variety actress, who was doing a turn on
the stage. Another bullet entered the back
OF Carrie Smith, just above the left hin. in
fiicting dangerous wound which NAV
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
XIII Lou Durand, another actress who was
on the stage at the time. The following
note, found in his pocket, gives color to
this:
Lulu Durand-''I have wanted to carry
out my purpose, but haven't had favora-
PIE chance yet. 1t was an old SCORE but I
haa 20 settle with you. / trust to luck and
a good shot to accomplish my purpose.
(Signed) "CHAs. ELL1oTT.''
Miss Durand came here from New York
last August. She said to-day: II do not
know what reason Elliott had to kill me, az
only had slight acquaintance with him.
MISS Debabian had assumed my
name IN his presence. He meant to kill
me, thinking that to be Miss De-
babian's name. From conversation had
with Miss Debabian in my dressing room.
she seemed apprehensive of trouble and lust
before going on the stage said, 4 wish
had carried out my intention and remained
in my room.''
Miss Carrie Muth was interviewed at the
hospital and said: II never knew the man
who shot me. Never saw him before in NV
llfe and what his motive was / am not able
TO tell. had just finished an act and he
Elliott) sent word to me that he liked INV
acting very much and that he wanted to see
me. went to the box and he talked very
pleasantly and said he was rvol;ns hlu..
He ordered bottle of wine, but drank
none himself, saying he WAS afraid to trust
himself to drink
The girls claim that four shots were fred
in quick succession; that one went into the
scenery and the others into human beings.
They said it was hard to belive that any
one was shooting to kill; they all thought
some one was trying to joke In the box
where the murderer shot himself the floor
and chairs were covered with blood, and
the place presented most narrowing sight. |
Mabel Debabian, the acsass who was killed,
was "a years old and quite pretty. She
came here with the Mabel Francis Burlesoue
with whom she played at Port
land and Sound cities.
At the inquest to-day it was learned that
her full name was Mabel Debabian Bown,
member of the Sea King company, now
playing here, identified the body and said:
''She was the wife of William Paul Bown,
a very clever comedian, who is now dead.
She was talented and highly educated and
rare complishments, and was
nost excellent actress. She has played the
leading roles in many of the best companies
travelling to-day. I knew her when We were
both with the Fay Templeton Opera COM
pany. She came from Virginia and is
descendant of one of the best families of
that state. l met her in New York short
time ago and she told me she was going to
make trip through the west. think she
must have had hard luck. for never knew her
to play with variety troupe before and /
have known her for eight years. She might
have had situation with the best COM
panies on the road, for her ability as a
was very marked indeed"
Miss Debabian recently made application
to Manager Hayward, of the Spokane Audi
torium, for assistance on account of the
actors fund. A letter was received TODAY
from the Actors association saying she
was no longer entitled to assistance from
their fund. Hundreds Of people fiocked to
the morgue to-day to view the remains.