The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-17

LONDON, Dec. l6-william Terrlss,
the well known actor was assassInated,
being stabbed with knife as he was en-
tering thestage door OF the Adelphi thea
ire tonight,
The assassin had the appearance OF a
foreigner and wore long cloak,
Terrlss fell shouting; my God! He's
stabbed me! Don't let him ESCAPED"
The assassin Withdrew his dagger and
made a second lunge at his victim, but
he was eslzed by the spectators.
Mr., Terrlss was placed on the landing
of the stairway just inside the theatre,
where he lay groaniHg loudly. Once or
twice he attempted to speak, but Il was
impossible. He quickly succumbed
while surrounded by the theatres stan.
The murderer was taken to the Bow
street police station, followed by an an
CRY crowd. His name was given as
Archer. II Is said he had been a super
at the Adelphl theatre several years ago,
and for some days past he has haunted
the theatre. The motive OF the crime Is
not known. A large audience had al
ready assembled fortheevening' perform
ances and the manager came 10 The foot
lights and announced that as MI Ter
rIss had met with an accident no per-
formance would be given Tonight
II appears that the assassin last even
Ing asked the keeper OF the stage en-
trance as to the whereabouts OF Mr. Ter
rlss, and his behavior was then so OBJ
noxlous that Harry Nichols, one OF the
principal colleagues OF Mr.. Terrlss, was
obliged to demonstrate and to order Aim
to leave the premises.
The scenes along the street at the hour
when the theatre closed tonight WIS re-
markable. BY that time the special edl-
tiOns OF the evening papers were out ard
the newsboys were shouting around the
theatre exit that Mr. TerFiss had been
murdered. At first the people refused 10
place any credence In the report, but
when they found Il was true, horror and
indignation were generally expressed.
When Archer arrived at the police sta
tlon, he still held the weapon, apparently
big butcher knife, concealed beneath
his cape. on being charged with murder
he Is reported to have replied:
Hes done me out OF the benevolent
fund this morning, and ! am out of It
for life"
The murderer was placed In n cell and
Is under a special watch for the night.
The understudy Of the deceased actor
tells curious story Of how last night he
dreamed that he saw Mr.. Terriss lying
on landing surrounded by crowd.
William Terriss has been playing in
London In the English version OF Will
lam Gillettes American drama, Secret
Service"
Terrlss' assailant is supposed to be a
former super, The murderer rushed at
the actor as he was stepping across the
pavement from his cab, and stabbed him
tust below the heart. AS the actor fell
his murderer was seized by people who
were outside the theatre. The wounded
man was carried into the theatre and
doctors were called from the Charing
Cross hospital. but Terriss expired In nf-
teen minutes,
Another member OF the Adelphi COM
pany says the assassin was known at
the theatre as Mad Archer" and that
when ordered of the premises last
night, he muttered mot yet" Others
say that Archer nursed grievance
against Mr.. TerFIss even before he left
his employment at the theatre. More
than once he stood in the wings and In
dulged In sarcastic comments on Mr..
Terriss' acting such as fools often sue
coed In life where men OF genius fall"
The assassin made no attempt to es-
cape. When seized he offered TO go
quietly to the police station.
Miss Millward, when It was seen that
Mr.. Terrlss was dying, completely
broke down with grief,
William Terrlss was born in London,
October 49, 1851, and came OF an excel
lent family. His father was Kentlsh
country gentleman, and his mother a
sister OF the celebrated historian OF
Greece, the late George Grote. 'Terrlss'
was n nom de theatre, the real name
OF the deceased actor being William
Levin. lie was one of the best known
actors In London, and for number OF
years wns Henry 1rving's leading man,
while IN this position and during his
subsequent starring venture with Miss
Mlllward he made several American
tours.
--n
I.nnn anu Hawaii