New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-10
AN ACTORS MURDEROUS RAGE
J. K. EMMETT TRIES TO KILL HIS WIFE.
HE SHOOTS HER DOWN ON THE STREET IN SAN
FRANCISCO MURDER PREVENTED BY
LITTLE CIIILD-TfIE WOMAN NOT
SERIOUSLY HUR'

SERIOUSLY HURT.
San Francisco. June 9-J. X. Emmett, the
actor, made an attempt last night to murder
his wife, who is known on The stage as EMILY
Lytton. The shooting occurred short distance
from their temporary home in this city, shortly
before o'clock. Emmett had been indulging III
strong drink ard. after his wife returned home,
a quarrel ensued. When the shooting occurred
there were few people upon the streets ana the
best account Of the eye-witnesses was given py
Frank Bergez. twelve years Of age. The couple
had evidently been practising upon their manoo-
lin and guitar. for only few minutes before
the first signs of trouble appeared the music of
these Instruments was heard in tmmetts apart
mcnts. Suddenly the front door was thrown
open by Mrs. Emmett. pushed their little
t-year-old protege. Baby Synoti out on the
front porch ahead OF her.
I'll shoot you. I'll Kill you" yelled Emmett,
who was In the front room.
"No you won't" answered his wife as she
closed the door and hastily inserting the key,
snapped the lock. Pushing Baby Synott aside,
Mrs. Emmett ran along the sidewalk. Emmett
rushed 10 the front window which he threw
open. ana started to spring 10 the ground a
distance Of SIX feet. In doing 50 his foot caught
on the window sill and he fell In the garden,
striking his face against the stone coping his
nose bled freely. In the actors hand was re-
volver. Spr.nglnS 10 his feet he cleared the 10"
fence at a bound, and started In pursuit or ms
wife Half way down the block the Wonlan q
stopped and looked back She saw her husband
and the revolver. and Xi.h a sc- Am resumed her
flight She cried loudly tOr help as she ran. ~
this point Baby SynOtt. hearing Mrs. Emmett 5
cries for "Help." joined in the race. Near the
corner Emmett caught up with his wife and hreh.
with a scream Mrs Emmett 'el 10 the sidewalk
He advanced toward his victim though TO
shoot again. but he leNc.lri his pistol the
child seized the hand that neld the weapon. The
actor paused ana looked at the little one In as
t1n.shment for he mad not seen her before. He
pushed her from him. stepped back ana paced
the muZZle Of his weapon against rlS tempe
Baby Synott again sprang upon tne woI.n-oe
murderer. seeming 10 climb up MS nmpS. III an
instant the little hand was gripping the Darrel
Il the pistol which sne pushed away from his
temple. she clung TO his arm 50 mat ne coun
not use the weapon again Emmett stood ior
moment as II bewiideroi. ana then with his lelt
hand throw the Weapon into a garden Tnen the
ciFht-year-old heroine feil to the sdewaK III
Pyrtanaers quickly gathered. and one picked
up the child No on" would touch the man. VINO
walked ND thr street. and sat upon MS door-
st-n until an officer arrived. Mrs. Emmett was
assisted to a doorstep near b.. where she sat
moaning until officers took her to the Receiving
The uollce stated that Emmett was undoubt
edly under the influence Of liquor at the time OF
his arrest Mrs Emmett was driven 70 the
hospital. When placed on the operating taple
eh, was I'm a hyster.cal condition. and declared
tfat there was no bullet in her head although a
siinuosed bullet wound was In her left temple.
She protested against the doctors probing. and
Insisted upon leaving the hospital Finally sne
consented TO allow them 70 probe. II they would
dcslst when she cried stop DR. heddihg
probei for A bullet but unable 10 find one.
II had glanced upward along the bone and had
In all probability lodged under the skin in her
scalp In answer 10 questions she said her nus
bard ha6 struck her inside the house with the
buif Il revolver. and she ran into the street.
lie followed her and pointed the pistol at her.
when she struck his hand upward. and the
bullet went into the air. She positive II had
not struck her saying: "He is TOO great a cow
ard tO DO that"
When toll she would have to remain in the
hospital she refused t. do 50. and her brother
.n-aw lef, the pllc" T. got a hack to take her to
his rooms Captain Lees her az the hospital
later and agreed 10 allow her To leave
Mrs Emmett is a san Francisco girl and made
her debut In this city several years ago as Nina
in Little Lord Fauntieroy." Her sister was a
member OF Harrlgan's New-lork company for
two years She is a large handsome brunette.
John H. Stevens fell in love with her Ave years
ago and they were married after a brief court
shin Then they were divorced. According TO
friends story. Emmett AMI his wife have not
lived happily together since they arrived In this
city and their quarrels drove Emmett almost
crazy at times. Mrs. Emmett is also said To have
caused him to put all property given nm by ms
father into her name According 10 the same in
flrmant she has lived cXtravagantly and Emmett
noN has litte ready money. II Is said MS most
intimate friends were not At all surprised that ne
tried t. take the life ot his wife. Other friends
take m opposite view ana state that the fault Is
ON Emmctts side. that he was abusive 10 ms
wif, who was model helpmate ana that wneh
drinking the actor was unhearaOle
Mrs Emmett is tonight entirely ont OF danger
The op-r alton disclosed the fact that the bullet
had not entered The head. The hospital phys!-
clans stick 10 the theory that the wound was
made bv a bullet Emmett says the entire affair
Is a blank 10 him. IL was released on $1,000
bail fle Immediately took the pledge and says
he will never drink another drop. There was an
arectlonatc scene between Emmett and his wife
after his release.