The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-23
A. w. Dingwal1, Manager of the
Broadway Theatcr, New York,
the Only Person Injured.
BULLET ENTERED HIS BACK
ANOTHER HIT HIS VEST AND ONE
GRAZED j. ID. LEFFINGWELL.
Much Excitement in the CelIar-MOuI-
ton Cruzed with Drugs and JeaI-
ous-Said to He n Forger.

NEW YORK, March ga highly sensa-
tional shooting took place early to-day in
the rathskellar of the Pabst Hotel, corner
Broadway and Forty-second street. Robert
Hayden Moulton, a young ex-student of
architecture and more recently a man
about town, wanted by the police for pass
ing bogus checks, was the assailant; a
young woman, now playing In the melo-
drama, 1.-The Price of Peace at the Broad
way Theater, was the target at which he
shot, and Alexander w. Dingwall, manager
of that theater, was the victim. Dingwall
is now in the Roosevelt Hospital with a
bullet in his back. His wound is not a dan
gerous one.
The accounts of the affair vary to a con-
siderable degree. The most accredited
version was that Miss May Buckley, with
Mr.. Dingwall, John d. Leffingwell and Miss
Buckley's aunt. were sitting in a booth
known to the frequenters of the cellar as
the Officers quarters, when Moulton,
who had been drinking, or partaking of
morphine, or both, appeared before them
and began to abuse the party and to use
profane language, his insults being directed
largely towards the actress. His words
were resented and he whipped out .32-cali-
ber revolver and began to discharge it. He
fired five shots in all, only four of which
took effect in any quarter. Only one did
any damage-the shot which pierced Mr..
Dingwall's back.
The cellar was In an uproar in a moment.
Guests and waters ran towards Moulton,
women screamed and the manager and the
detectives of the hotel soon overpowered
he I'm 20
by Moulton his first penetrated the sleeve
of Mr.. Lefhngwelrs coat, just grazing his
left forearm. The skin was not broken.
The second shot passed along the front of
Mr.. DingwalTs vest cutting the cloth for
an inch or two. The third shot struck
Dingwall in the fieshy part of the back on
the left side, as he rose from his chair. The
fourth shot passed through Miss Buckley s
dress, being detected from its course by a
blow from Mr.. Leffingwell in an attempt to
knock the revolver from the would-be as
sassins hand. The last shot went wild
Dingwall's friends, who saw him at the
hospital tonight, said his condition was not
serious and that he would be out in a few
days.
POSSIBLE CASE OF JEALOUSY.
The motive for the shooting is not clear
1t was believed at first that Moulton was
suffering from a bad case of infatuation
and jealousy, either for Miss Buckley OIL
for Miss Minnie Seligman, of the same
company, and that he mistook Miss Buck
ley for Miss Seligman when he saw her in
the rathskeller. Subsequently when the
testimony of numerous witnesses could be
secured it became apparent that Moultor
was suffering so badly from drugs or al
coholic stimulants or both. that he had nc
fixed idea in firing the shots.
On Thursday night Mouton occupied a
box at the Broadway Theater. purchasing
six tickets. only one of which he used. His
actions at the theater attracted attention
both in the audience and on the stage
After leaving the theater Moulton was
seen to take number of drinks in nearby
saloons. When he was arrested a bottle
partly illed with half-grain sulphate OF
morphine tablets and a bottle nearly full
of liquid solution of morphine were found
in his pockets. While waiting to be ar
raigned in the West Side Court, he stated
he had partaken freely Of these drugs and
gave this as an excuse for his conduct
Moulton said his home was in Spring
field, Tenn, and that he had been for three
years a student OF architecture at Co.
lumbia College. He said he remembered
going to the theater. but recalled nothing
after the curtain rose on the second act
He denied knowing Miss Seligman. He
was held in 5000 bail, and his examina-
ton was set for Monday.
Moulton was removed from the West
side prison. tonight. to Bellevue Hospital
because of the collapsed condition into
which he has dropped. owing to the use
of alcoholic drinks and drugs.
ALLEGED TO BE A SWINDLER.
After Moulton had been locked up De.
tect:ve Traynor said that he had beer
looking for Mouton since Feb. s. On that
date he said Moulton called on DR.. James
T.. Newcomb. of this city. and had him
cash check for $50. Newcomb, Detective
Traynor said, has received number OF
letters from Chicago. Sing Sing Elmira
Boston and Buffalo. saying that MouItor
had engaged in swindling operations in
the cities named, where he had secured
sums ranging from $50 TO N75. The detec.
tive said he would arrest Moulton on these
charges if he should free himself Of his
present trouble. 1t is claimed by the po-
lice that Moulton has supported himself
for the past two years by swindling
A dispatch from Elmira, y. ", SAYS
Robert Moulton had a check for s.;
cashed at an Elmira bank few weeks
ago. being identified at the bank bs
Charles l.. Shattuck, OF the Railway Y
NJ. c. A. acquaintance. The check
was returned protested.
Moulton sent a message to his mother a,
Springfield. Tenn. tonight. saying: Il am
in trouble; come at once" She will start
tomorrow.
Alexander w. Dingwall. who was wound.