Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-03
Killing of Kate Hassett, the
Actress, Was Deliberate
and Premeditated
SLAYER IN CRITICAL CONDITION
Barry tombstone Who Shot Miss Hassett
Not Likely to Recover-Woman Was
Known to Have Feared Him and Let
ters Left Show tombstone Made Plans
Deliberately to Kill Her.


have decided that the murder of Kate
Hassett, leading woman of Keiths
stock company, who was killed last
night by Barry tombstone, an actor
was deliberately planned and executed
Developments of the day indicate that
Johnstone intended to commit the
crime in Miss Hassetts apartments,
but, being foiled, he intercepted her
on the street. tombstone, who, after
shooting the woman, attempted suicide,
is much weaker, and the physicians
express less hope for his recovery.
His sister ard brother, Robert III.
tombstone, arrived here today from
Syracuse, n Y, which was his home,
and spent most of the evening with
their brother. His mother is expected
here tomorrow. Everett Beckwith, nus
hand of the murdered actress has sent
word to this city that he is on his way
east from Chicago, and expects to ar
rive some time tomorrow. 1t is also re-
ported that Michael Hassett, father OF
Miss Hassett, is en- route from Aurora
H., to assist in arranging for ms
daughters funeral.
The police learned today that shortly
after Miss Hassett had left her board
house for the theater last night
.Johnstone forced an entrance into her
apartment. He carried coil OF rope,
which he attached to post of the
actress bed. The police believe 1t was
the nurderer's intention to await the
return OF Miss Hassett and shoot her
in her room, hoping to make his escape
thru window by means of the rope.
His presence in the room was DIS
covered by other boarders Ihey as
sert 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 ne meant
harm to the actress, the boarders IN
tercepted her at the door OF the mouse
and related what had transpired.
AS Miss Hassett turned to seek other
quarters for the night tombstone, 1t is
said rushed from the house and Joined
her. They had not proceeded far be-
fore he shot her. then turned the
weapon upon himself.
stone had been prosecuting her for at
least week and that she frequently
expressed the fear that evil might be-
fall her. The acquaintance OF Miss
Hassett and tombstone dates back
wear, when both were members of Nine
Modjeska's company. Miss Hassett IN
private life was Mrs. Minna BeckWlth.
Her husband resides in Chicago
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. I want mother
and yourself to have all my effects,
clothes, trunks, etc. Bury me ineSpen-
sively wherever seems most fit. God
bless all and be good and true to all
the world, ~ I have tried to be. Your
brother
The letter was dated on Dec. 1. and
was written on a letter-head of the
Clarendon hotel, New York. Accom-
panying it was brief note addressed
to the cashier of the savings bank in
structing him to give the writer's
brother the amount of his deposit.
l. lie uOSpitdl SURGEONS liiteIlueQ per
forming an operation upon tombstone
yesterday afternoon, but the wounded
mans condition was such as to neces-
state postponement At the hospital
last night it was stated that Johnstone
was much weaker than at any time
since he received the self-inflicted
wound. and his chances of recovery
were less bright. He is in possession of
all his faculties. and during the day he
occasionally made Inquiry concerning
Miss Hassett. Each time he was given
an evassve reply.
Syracuse, N. Y, Dec. BARRY
tombstone, who killed Kate Hassett at
Philadelphia Monday night, was born
here. His mother, two sisters and a
brother live here. 1t is said here that
tombstone was cocaine fiend, and that
constant use of the drug had affected
his mind. Robert tombstone. his BROTH
err is a machinist. He said Barry
was a very nervous and sensitive man..
and must have gone insane with jeal-
ousy. I saw him Wednesday, and he
said nothing about Miss Hassett."
tombstone was known in this city by
his right name of William James John
stone.
Fossu Millions to Labor.