The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-03

SLAYER of KATE HASSETT, THE
ACTRESS, IN CRITICAL CONDITION.
Letter That Shows He Premeditated
Suicide-His Plans to Kill the
Prosecuted Woman.

PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 2.-Developments
to-day in the murder of Kate Hassett, of
Keith's Bijou Theater Stock Company,
who was shot and killed last night by
Barry Johnstone, an actor formerly with
Richard Mansfeld's company, indicate that
the crime was premeditated. tombstone,
who. after he had shot the woman, at
tempted suicide, is tonight in a critical
condition. The hospital surgeons intended
performing an operation upon him this af-
ternoon, but the wounded mans condition
was such as to necessitate postponement.
He is. however. in possession of all his
faculties and during the day he occasion
ally made inquiry concerning Miss Hassett.
Each time he was given an evasive reply.
Johnstone's sister and his brother, Robert
H. Johnstone, arrived here to-day and spent
most of the evening with their brother.
His mother is expected here tonight or to-
morrow. Everett Beckwith, husband of the
murdered actress, has sent word to this
c.,y that he is'on his way east from Chi
cago and expects to arrive some time to-
morrow. 1t is also reported that Michael
Hassett, father of Miss Hassett, is en-
route from Aurora, ILL.,, to assist in ar
ranging for his daughters funeral.
after Miss Hassett had left her boarding
house for the theater last night, Johnstone
forced an entrance into her apartment. He
carried coil of rope which he attached to
a post of the actresses bed. The police be-
lieve Ii was the murderer's intention to
await the return of Miss Hassett and shoot
her in her room, hoping to make his es-
cape through window by means of the
rope. His presence in the room was dis
covered by other boarders. They assert
that the actor was greatly excited and that
he had torn to shreds all of the woman s
clothing which he found in the room.
Fearing that he meant to harm the actress
the boarders intercepted her at the door
of the house and related what had trans
PRED AS Miss Hassett turned to seek
other quarters for the night Johnstone it
is said, rushed from the house and joined
her. They had not proceeded far before he
shot her and then turned the weapon upon
himself.
The following letter addressed to Robert
II. tombstone at Syracuse, N. Y, was found
in JOhnStoneS clothing:
Dear Bob-Inclosed send you a check
on the Excelsior Savings Bank for the sum
of $3.50. / want mother and yourself to
have all my effects. clothes, trunks, etc.
Bury me inexpensively wherever seems
most fit. God bless all and be good and
true to all the world, as have tried to be-
Your brother"
The letter was dated Dec and was writ
ten on a letter head of the Clarendon Hotel.
New York. Accompanying it was brief
note addressed 10 the cashier of the saw
ings bank instructing him to give to the
writer's brother the amount of his deposit.
Friends of the dead woman say john
stone had been prosecuting her for at least
week and that she frequently expressed
the fear that evil might befall her. The ac-
quaintance of Miss Hassett and tombstone
dates back year when both were members
OF Nine. ModJeska's company Miss Has
sett In private life was Mrs Minna Beck
with. Her husband resides in Chicago