Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-01-17
WILLIAM B. CRANDALL
Hascribes the Events Which Led Up
to the Killing of F. W.. Reul.
BY WILLIAM B. CRANDALL.

BY WILLIAM B. CRANDALL.
1t was 2:3O o'clock, Nov. 25 in the
afternoon. | was seated in my dressing
room at the Davidson theater, reading
over my lines, when my attention was
attracted by some one standing in the
doorway. Pardon me-" said the young
man as he stepped into the room, may
Ispeak to you a moment? I am in q
predicament out of which [ know you
can help me. Il am a member of the
dramatic school which is to give a bene-
fit here this afternoon, and owing to
this being my first appearance on. the
boards [ am not very we'll acquainted
with the the puff and rabbits foot. If
you would not mind would like to ask
you to give me a helping hand"
Certainly" replied, 81 shall be glad
TO be of any assistance to you, but may
take the liberty to ask you your name?
Mine is Will Crandall, member of the
Royal Family company" Mine is Will
Ruel," the other replied. We shook
hands and then the conversation turned
| to the subject of making up. After the
paint and powder had been put on we
strOlled upon the stage where the
ameteur performance was taking place.
As we stood there / noticed a rather
striking young woman standing little
distance from us. who Is the
grip" inquired. THAT is the young
woman am on with" he replied. "She
is also member Of our school and has
talent for the stage. She .is about to
graduate and this, [ think is her last
amateur appearance. She is to join
some stock company down East in a
short time. Would you like to make
her acquaintance? | think you would
like her as she seems to be favOrite at
at school.
81 would not mind" l said, though !
am in no fit condition at present as far
as appearance goes to meet any one, as
| have. on clothes which would hardly do
justice to tramp"
| MEETS MISS DESMOND"
"Oh, she is not one of those who Judge
man by his Clothes" Will Reul replied,
so arm in arm we walked over to where
| Miss Benson was standing, and there
| Mr.. Reui introduced us and walked
| away. AS there was special sketch on
| in which Miss Benson was greatly
| interested she and [ moved back of the
stage, where we could more plainly see
the stage and its setting. After the
sketch was over Miss. Benson and were
standing at one side discussing the life
| led by the profession, when a young
woman made her appearance at the stage
door, and seeing Miss Benson came over
to where we were standing. Miss Ben
son gave me an introduction to her
| friend, Miss Desmond. We stood there
| talking, and when Mr.. Reul had finished
setting the stage for the next sketch he
,, came over and joined us. He also re-
ceived an introduction to Miss Desmond
from Miss Benson.
Moving pictures was the next thing
on the programme, and to see them
more plainly Mr.. Reul and Miss Desmond
went on the other side of the stage,
while Miss Benson and l remained
where we were. The pictures were be-
ing pulled off when Mr.. Reul and Miss.
Desmond returned and joined Miss Ben
son and myself. .~As the performance
was about to come to acl0se, Miss Ben
son and MIR. Reul returned to their dress
| lng-rO0ms to prepare themselves for the
street. After Mr.. Reul had finished
dressing he came over to my room and
asked me if | would not take supper
with him after the evening performance.
| readily consented, and both of Us
eioug III tiio supper ksWOu1u Do more en-
| joyable If Miss Benson and Miss Des-
mond joined us. When Miss, Benson
had dressed and come over to where we
were waiting for her the supper was
proposed. They both consented to have
supper with us and also to come down
with Mr.. .Reul to the evenings perfor-
nance OF. the 'Royal Family" which
was playing a ifour-night engagement
at the Davidson theater,@ and then meet
me in the front after, the performance.
We then separated, Mr.. Reul and Miss
Desmond going in one direction, while
| Miss Benson and went in the other.
After [ had seen my friend home re-
turned to my hotel land had supper,
it being 1880 when / arose from the
table. [ then returned to the theater
to prepare myself for the evening per-
formance.