The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-02
ACTOR MURDERS ACTRESS
THEN TURNS SMOKING RE-
VOLVER ON HIMSELF

The Victim Mrs. Kate Hassett, Who
Was Playing Marjorie in "What
Happened 60 Jones,'' In Philadelphia
Harry Johnston, the WOman's
Slayer, Now In Hospital In Critical
Condition.
Philadelphia, Dec. Mrs. Kate Has
sett, aged twenty-eight years, leading
woman in Keith's Eighth Street Thea
ter Stock company, was shot and killed
tonight by Barry Johnston, a well
known actor, who was formerly men,
ber of Richard Mansfield's company,
and who is well known to theatrical
people throughout the country After
the murder Johnston attempted sui
eide. The tragedy occurred at Darien
and Wood streets, in Philadelphia
Tenderloin. Johnston fired at his vic
tim five times two of the bullets taking
effect, one in the left breast and the
other in the left arm. Johnston shot
himself through the breast and is not
expected to live. The cause Of the
tragedy is believed to be jealousy.
The murder was one of the most sem
sational that has occurred here in a
long time. The streets in the vicinity
of the affair were filled with the usual
midnight crowds.
Johnston is said to have arrived here
from New York Sunday. He had been
paying considerable attention to the
woman, it is said. Tonight he attempt
ed to see her before she went to the
theater to take her part in the cast, but
he failed. He laid in wait for her at
the stage door until after the perform
ance. When Mrs. Hassett left the play
house she started for her boarding
place. Unknown to her she was fol-
lowed by Johnston. On Darien street,
between Wood and Vine streets, john
ston approached her. laid his hand upon
her shoulder and said: You have been
untrue to me-"
Before the actress could flee the man
pulled out seven chambered revolver
and began shooting point blank at her.
She fell to the sidewalk with the first
shot, the bullet piercing her left
breast. Four more shots were fired,
one of which took effect in her arm.
The murderer then turned the smoking
weapon upon himself and fired bull
let into his own breast. He staggered
and fell almost on the body of the ac-
tress. The tragedy was enacted so
quickly that no one could interfere. An
ambulance removed the wounded man
and woman to the Hahneman hospital.
The woman was dead when she reach,
ed there, and the doctors expressed the
opinion that Johnston's wound is prob
ably fatal.
Mrs. Hassett opened Keith's stock
company at Keith's Eighth street
theater about three weeks ago. This
week she was playing Majorie' in
Broadhurst's comedy What Happened
to JONES' She opened the theatrical
season in the early fall at the Broad
street tfleater in 1.-THE Last Appeal"
Later she went west starring in Mrs.
Danes Defense"
At 2:25 a. m. Johnston was resting
easy in the hospital. The doctors are
as yet unable to say whether he will
live. He lies in a semi-conscious state
and frequently repeats the words "She
was false to me-"
Johnston was well known throughout
the country among theatrical people.
He had been taking the part Of Cassius
in Richard Mansfield's production of
Julius Caesar" in New York, and left
the company on Saturday night.
Both Johnston and Mrs. Hassett were
married, but were living apart.