The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-20
FRANK. FRAMES FATAL SHOT
An American Parallel to the Recent
Fatal Shooting ON the Stage in Gcr-


From the New York Sun.
The conviction of German expert
marksman in q Berlin court of the
crime of ''pandering to the public lust
for excitement" was the result of an
accident almost identical in every detail
with a tragedy that occurred some
years ago in this country. About six
weeks ago in a Berlin music hall a
marksman attempted to shoot an ap-
pie from the head of a young girl He
had frequently accomplished the feat
before with success. But through
some inaccuracy in aim the bullet, in
stead Of passing through the apple,
struck the woman in the head and
killed her instantly. He was sentenced
for this to six months Imprisonment.
There was no charge of negligence or
criminal intent. So the charge that
he had attempted to "pander to the
public lust for excitement" was in
vented to fit his case.
The victim of the American tragedy
was Annie Won Behrsn, and the man
who shot her was Frank /. Frayne,
who, when he retired from the stage,
had made a fortune through his ex-
pertncsS as q marksman. For many
years he had Travelled through the
United States acting in a play called
Isl SlOCum." 1t was a rough-and-
ready piece, devised chiefly to exhibit
his skill in shooting, and in the man
agement of wild animals. He carried
a whole menagerie about with him, and
this method of exhibiting his talents
had been adopted after an unsuccess-
full career as an actor. His wife, Clara
Butler, who used to sing in his plays
and act the part of Mrs. SloCum, was
for n long time the woman on whom
his feats of shooting We're tried. one
Of the best known Of these was that
in which, standing with his back to
her, he shot an apple from her head,
and as in the story of William Tell,
this incident was a crucial one in the
play. When his wife died a young
Brooklyn girl named Annie Won Beh-
rem took her place in the company.
The apple shooting feat was success
fully continued for three years. 1t
was done every night, and frequently
| twice at the many matinees given in
the cheap theatres at which Frayne ap-
| peared.
Toward the end of November, 1882
the company reached a theatre in Gin
| Cinnati known as the Coliseum. Ii
| had been opened only two weeks when
| Isl Slocum" was acted there. on
| Thanksgiving Day there We're more
| than 1000 persons in the theater at the
| extra matinee. The play progressed
| to the scene in which the apple was
TO be shot from Mrs. Slocum's head
| The apple was placed on the girls
| head and Frayne took aim and fired
| AS they heard the crack of the rifle, the
| spectators saw Miss Won Behren fall
to the stage with a spot of blood on
| her forehead. The actor turned and
seeing what had occurred, ran to the
spot where the girl lay and fell faintine
by her side. The curtain dropped sud,
denly, and the manager appeared be.
| fore the curtain to announce that tht
| play would be brought to an end i'm.
medately. Some Of the audience had
supposed that the scene was a part OF
the play. But it was soon whispered
about that the girl had been killed
The holiday crowd in the streets heart
the report, and before long severa
thousand people had gathered in from
Of the building, although nobody knew
certainly of this tragedy inside.
The girl died within a few minute.
after the bullet struck her over the left
! eye. Frayne, who was frantic will
excitement, was locked up. The apple
was four inches above her head on {
hat, and the accidental use OF a defec
tive cartridge was the cause of hel
death Frayne protested that there
was no danger in the backward shot
as it had repeatedly been done with
out serious results. The cOroner's jury
released him and he declared that h
would never shoot again. But after {
brief retirement he returned to tn,
stage and acted in his drama for min
years longer, although he never repeat
ed the backward shot with woman
and indeed abandoned the play II
which the accident occurred.
1t is said of the German that he wa!
about to marry the girl he killed, anC
the same story was told Of Frayne AM
Miss Won Behren. He died about sil