The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-03
! The ACTOR IS IN
4 DYING CONDITION
Barry Johnston Very III at Phi|a-
de ph.a Hospital.
SHOOTING PR EN1ED!7ATED
Little Doubt That the Man Fully IT.
tended to fake the Life OF
the Woman He
Killed.
LEv Assnciated Press. !

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Dec. 2.-Devei-
opments to-day in the murder of ia
haSsett, Of keiths Biiou Theatre Stock
Company, who was snot and killed asst
night by barry Johnston. an actsr
formerly with Richard .Ianstield's com
pany, indicate that the crime was pre-
meditated.
Johnston. who after lie had shot the
woman, attempted Suicide. is tonight IN
q critical condition me hospital
surge, MS intended erforming an ope atl~n
upon him this afternoon. bat the wound
ed mans condition was such as to necss-
state postponement. Al the noSplt-l
tonight 1t was sta ed that Johnston was
much weaker than a any tine since he
received the self-irficted wound and his
chances of recovery We're less bright.
He is in possession of all his tacuitl
anu during the day he occasionally mace
inquiry concerning Mrs. Hassett. bdch
time he was given an evasive reply
Johnstons sister arrived here 'o-6ay
and she spent most Of the evening with
her brother. His mother is expected here
tonight or tomorrow -verett BECK
with, husband OF the murdered act ess.
has sent word to this city that he is on
his way east from Chicago and expects
to arrive some time tomorrow. 1t is
also reported that Michael Hassett,
father Of Mrs. Hassett. is Ell route from
Aurora. Ill. 10 assist in arranging for
lis daughters funeral.
WENT INTO HER ROOMS.
The police learned today that shortly
after Miss Hassett had left her boarding
house for the theatre last night. Johnston
forced an entrance into har apartments.
He carried q coil of rope which he at
tached to the post Of the actress bed.
The police believe itw saith murderers
intention to await return of Miss Has
sett and shoot her IN her room, hoping
TO make his escape through q window by
means of the rope. His presence in the
room was discovered by other boarders.
They assert that the actor was greatly
excited and that he had torn to shrsds
all the womans 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 transpired AS Miss Hassatr turney
to seek other quarters for the night,
Johnston rushed from the house and
Joined her. They had not proceeded far
before he shot her, aud then turned the
weapon on himself
\ F,R FOUND
The following letter addressed 10 Ro-
bert H. Johnston. at Syracuse. n Y,
was found IN Johnstons clothing:
Dear Bcb-Enclosed I send you a
check on the Excelsior Savings Bank
for the sum of S29n. 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 December 1st and
was written on a letter head of the
Clarendon Hotel. New York
Friends Of the dead woman say John
ston had been prosecuting ler for at
least 2 week. and that she frequently
expressed the fear that evil might befali
her.
Miss Hassett in private life was Mrs
Minna Beckwith. Her husband resides in
Chicago