The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-13

His Condition Serious From Considine's
Thrashing.

Frank Lavere, editor of the Sunday Mer-
curry. who was beaten on Saturday by John
Considine, proprietor of the Peoples
theater, was reported to be in a serious
condition last night and the attending
physician expressed doubts as to the re-
suit. During the day Lavere suffered pains
in his head and limbs, and especially in
his side and stomach, but thought he
would be out in day or to. He was seen
by PosT-INTELLIGENcER reporter at 6
O'Clock, and. while suffering considerable
pain, talked freely. Later in the evening
his condition changed for the worse and
physician was called Immediately. The
examination failed to reveal the exact
nature of the injuries, but it is thought
Lavere has been hurt internally.
When a Posr-INTELLIGENCKR reporter
called at Mr.. Lavere's residence last even
ing he was invited into the sitting room
by Mrs. Lavere. Her husband lay upon a
sofa, with his head bandaged. and Don E.
Johnson, who did the shooting. occupied
a chair near the fire. Mrs. johnson, Leo
Kohn, who put up the bonds for John
sons release. and a lady friend were also
in the room. On the table were copies of
the ENCER. Telegraph and
Tacoma Ledger, all of which had articles
relating to the shake-up in the Mercury
Office. Mr.. Lavere stated that. while
pretty we'll shaken up, he intended to be
out Monday. When asked whether he in
tended to have Considine arrested, he re-
piled:
have nothing to say on that question, but In
reference to the intervie in which he stated
that tried to black mail him, would say that
Y .L-.1 III. f.
any attempt to extort money from him 1t was
before got possession of the paper met him
some time ago on the street and said: swell,
John. how about that game?' referring to .
statement either In the Posr.INrELLIGENcER or
Press Times that crap game was running in
his theater.
He replied: "How about the other gamef"
''What gamer said L
"You're not detective are YOU" said he and
replied: ono, only newspaper man."
"Well," said he. 'ff you put anything In your
paper about me will thrash you"
The next day he took his advertisements out
of the Mercury and Dramatic Star. have never
said anything to him about money since, and
once told him that was sorry we had had any
words. II anyone went to him about advertise
mepts the night before the paper came out with
the article on the theater it was without my
sanction.
IL understand" said the reporter, "that
c. Friend. one of the proprietors of the
Mug saloon, came to see you last night
about the article in regard to the Mug"
Mrs. Lavere, Mr.. johnson and Frank
Lavere all replied in the negative.
II went to see him Friday" said Mr..
Johnson. ''about taking an advertisement,
but he treated me in q shameful manner.
l never received such an insult in my life.
I was new at the business. and did not
know that the paper had such a reputa-
ton. went into it on the principle that
the truth was truth, hit who it might"
Twill you retract anything you have
said regarding the Mug ssloon?"
NO" he replied: Everyone knows the
place and its reputation. l shall make no
retraction." Mr.. Johnson then spoke of
the article about the supposed fight under
the NJ. & N. saloon. and said there was no
malice intended. and that it was printed
on the statement of a man who said he
would swear to the truth of it.
The reporter then went to the Mug
saloon, where he found Mr.. Friend. and
asked him about the report that he went
to the residence Of Mr.. Lavere SATURDAY.
night and demanded q retraction of the
article in reference to the character Of the
saloon. Mr.. Friend laughed. and said he
should like to know where that report
sprang from. He added:
have not been near the editors. and have had
very little to do with them. Friday last a man
came to the saloon and asked me for an ad-
vertisement for the Mercury told him that
there was need OF advertising when the
papcr advertised the saloon unsolicited. He
made some remark about how the paper could
harm the place, and replied.
"W hen / meet a dirty puppy on the street,
kick il, not pet it
.You insult me" he replied. and walked out OF
lie saloon. ! thought nothing more of tie matter
until saturday evening, when Mercury was
handed me. l read the article headed: Billy
the Mug" and remarked about it to some GEN
tlernen that were with me. There was more or
less laughter over the affair. and later sen. the
following letter to the editor OF the Mercury
SEATTLE. Wash, Feb II, ls9s
Dear Sir: We are III receipt OF cory OF your
toiay's issue. and note the display you gave us
AMI over which we are Highly elated. If you
can We US another space in your next issue OF
the same size. with ig display at the head of
the article. as you give Us this time, We will
agree Ia give you 70. ;he advertisement the sum
of g., which you can collect Of Us any time after
tn publication OF youT next Issue. Very re-
srecttully, fRiESD-DE66IN6ER IMPr Co
Better KNOWN - the Mug saloon
AS the reporter was going out he met
Billy BeIond. known as BILLY the Mug"
and asked him how he iet.
Il will feel better" he replied, latter l
see the editor of the Mercury tomorrow.
The hearing OF Don +. Johnson, associ-
ate editor of the Mercury, who shot w. f..
King, will ne held before Justice Cald We'll
tomorrow afternoon At O'Clock.