The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-05
WOunding Of Frederick Marriott nj
San Francisco by Noted Men Has
Caused a Sensation.
wOMAN'S NAME INVOLVED
SLANDEROUs STORY PRINTED BIZ
THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR.
Society Belle Was Accused Of Playing
Tag I'm Her Night RObe-Resented
by Her Friends.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. Aired Marri-
oft, the publisher of the San Francisco
Newsletter, who was shot at his home
three times last night, was seriously
wounded. His assailants were Thomas H.
Williams, jr., president of the California
Jockey Club, and Truxton Beale, former
United States minister to Persia and
Greece and a well-known club man Of this
city, Neither will say who did the shoot
ing, but Marriott says it was Williams.
The following account Of the shooting
was given by Marriott before he was put
under anesthetics at the hospital: IAN
appointment was made by telephone for a
meeting by Truxton Beale. About 9
o'clock Truxton Beale and Williams came
to the club I answered the door myself
When reaching to take their hats off Beale
struck me a heavy blow in the face, and
made another slash at with his fist
Smash him. cried Williams. / retreated,
as the blow on the forehead almost blinded
me. then started upstairs, and VIII
liams began shooting"
The first shot fired shattered Marriott's
left leg below the knee, and he fell to the
steps. AS he rolled to the bottom of the
stairs two more bullets were shot into
him. One cut through the thigh a few
inches below the hip, passing clear through
the leg. The other struck him in the
right hand. Mrs. Marriott, hearing the
first shot, came to the head Of the stairs
in time to see her husband fall. She
started down to him. Then 1T is claimed
the revolver was turned In her direction
and two more shots were fired. One passed
within four inches of her head.
To-day it was stated that Mr.. Marriott
will probably recover unless blood poison
ing sets in. No affair In recent years has
caused such a sensation. Both Beale and
Williams have been prominent financially
and socially for years. Truxton Beale iS
the son Of the late General Beale. who
came to California many years ago and
accumulated a vast estate.
T. H. Williams Is known all over the
country as a racing man. He is presi-
dent of the California Jockey Club, which
controls racing in California. He inher-
tied a large fortune from his father, and
is rated as a millionaire.
Frederick Marriott, the wounded pub
Usher. is also well known. He inherited
the Newsletter, weekly publication,
from his father, who established the paper
Usher of the Overland Monthly. While
the alleged slanderous story published in
the Newsletter, which caused the shoot
ing. did not mention the young woman s
name, it was generally known who was
referred to. The young woman was heart
broken over the publication, and appealed
to Beale an old friend of her family, for
assistance. Beale asked the advice of Will
liams, and together they went to Marri-
otis house. The shooting followed.
In speaking of the affair Williams said:
1--WE Undoubtedly committed an assault on
Marriott but we feel we were entirely
justified in doing so, as he had attacked in
his paper the character of an estimable
young woman without any reason cause.
We are both satisfied that the attack in
his paper was made with malice. We felt
that the only remedy for such procedure
was physical punishment, and We admins
tered IL"
Beale said: 1.-THE attack was made on a
| particularly warm friend of mine who
| lives with her mother In San Rafael She
| is well known in society, and not the least
word of scandal has ever attached to her
name. Recently her sister became insane,
| and Is now in sanitarium. The article
appeared in last Saturdays Newsletter.
| 1t did not mention her name, but indicated
| clearly at whom IL was aimed. 1t told of
her playing tag in a nightgown at Mount
| Tamalpais with a party of friends. We
| felt perfectly justified in taking the meas
ures We did. and have nothing. to regret"
Neither man would say who did the
shooting, and each seemed perfectly will
| ing to shoulder the blame. They were re-
leased on $4,000 each.