The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1899-12-16
KILLING OF LEYDEN.
Manager Harris Produces u Letter
Written by Julia Morrison.

Especial to the Picayune.l
Toledo, Ohio, Dec Io.-Man-
ager Jos. H. Harris, who was in
Toledo with the theatrical organiza-
ton known as Americas greater
vaudeville stars, will be an import
ant witness a: a notable trial, which
begins at Chattanooga this week.
He also has in his possession, and
will present in his testimony a doc
ument which will doubtless be
scrutinized with the greatest inter
est. The trial deferred to will be
that of the actress, julia Morrison,
who will be arraigned for the killing
of MaI-ager Frank Leyden, on
the stage at Chattanooga. Harris
was the owner of the show in which
the tragedy occurred, aud Leyden
was the road manager. L, seems
that there had been more or less
trouble with Miss Morrison, owing
to the nature of costumes, which
Harris considered inappropriate.
AAS, ShS'S''sS, ION' 'hAS
there must be Change, or Miss
Morrison must leave the lnpany.
The message was duly carried, aud
Miss Morrison became greatly in
censed.
Manager Harris tells an incident
which leads him to think that de-
liberate trap was laid for I-eiden.
which the manager escaped. Miss
night with 4 colorcd woman, and
both went to the dressing-room.
Later, when Miss Morrison should
have been on the stage, she failed
to appear. Leiden started to hunt
her, but changed his mind and sent
4 local employe OF the house. The
latter went to Miss Morrison's room
and found the colored woman alone
and Miss Morrison's trunk not I'M
packed. Going on down the CORR
dor, he noticed that the ladies'
was unlighted, this being
seen by the dark trAnsom above the
door. Knowing that he had himself
lighted the room early in the even
ing, he started to go in when Miss
Morrison appeared at the door.
He asked her why the light was out,
and also said that she was wanted
on the stage. She made no reply,
but hurried to her room
Harris believes that Miss Nor
rison hoped that her absence would
be missed by Leiden, and that he
would hunt her in person. He
thinks that she intended to shoot
him at the door of the retiring room,
and that false construction would
be put upon his presence and her
shooting Of him. When Harris re-
turned to the company he found the
letter awaiting him, which |
was written a few hours before the
5hooting:
Dear Mr.. Harris--Not another day will |
endure this hell. Frank Leiden has and |
is killing this show completely. The atten- |
ton attract with this show has caused the
most intense hatred, and every imaginable |
obstacle is thrown in my way to queer me. !
Every one else has been roasted save my |
self, makes them hate 1 don't know
what lies he has written you, but this much
have to say. You know I mean we'll and
fair by you and work for you and your in
terest. 1 have kept quiet and held my
place like lady for your sake, but I don't
have to stard i, any longer. Now you tele-
graph Frank Leiden to Shut his damn mouth
and let me alone or I'll go no farther. He
caves I leave. 1 will explain further
when see you Saturday, but l refuse to
q fO i'm
Riley can tell you the Same story. With
best regards, I am yours truly,
JULIA MORRISON.
Am writing this on one side of the bed;
my trunk is gone, SO excuse pencil, etc.
Yours truly.
Har,'$ i 40 ,r,i.g to hn'l cut
something about Julia M"rrison's
past. He says that the woman has
mad stage career under another
name. and that this is not the first
lime she has been mixed up in
shooting affair.
Dr. NJ A. Simmons Liver Medi- |