The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-12
Capt. Sweeney Advances
Theory of Acciden-
tai Shooting.
FACTS TALLY WITH IT
Floredora Chorus Girl De-
ScribeS the Stage Life of
Nan Patterson.

NEW YORK. June u.-That Caesar
Young. the boOkmaller. who was killed
a week ago today in a cab at Walker
Street and West Broadway as ne was
riding with Nan Patterson, the actress,
to pier to sail for Europe with his
wife. shot himself accidentally with a
revolver which he was Wrestling from
Miss Patterson. who had threatened TO
commit suicide. was the startling theory
OF his death advanced today by Police
Captain Sweeney. of the Leonard Street
station.
Il think" said the captain. that
Young shot himself accidentally as he
was trying to get from the woman the
revolver which she had drawn with the
idea of committing suicide
THAT means. OF course. that she did
not kill him. and that she was innocent
OF any intention of killing him. The
stories of some of the men who saw the
cab and Young and Miss Patterson IL
it almost Immediately after the shoot
ing bear out this theory.
Loved Each Other.
THAT Young and Miss Patterson
cared a great deal for each other
think IS apparent. Il is not remarkable.
suicide.
This theory also accounts for the na-
ture OF the wound in Youngs body and
the course Of the bullet"
One Of the most remarkable prisoners
ever incarcerated in the Tombs is Nan
Patterson. She is cheerful to d degree.
and takes great pleasure in comforting
her lemale companions. Never does a
word slip her lips touching on her own
case. while she is most energetic in
helping her companions. devising ways
and means looking toward their free
dom. dining them with the best that
the prison caterer can furnish. and Co
ing all she can to help everyone.
Nan Patterson never reads the news
papers. never allows anyone TO speak
OF her own case Try as they will, the
shoplifter. pickpockeJ. anG tnier incar-
cerated with her can gain nothing Of
the remarkable tragedy which came as
the crOwning mark Of her public life.
Nan Patterson's Life.
The following story Of Nan Patter-
sons life was told today by Helen Nor
rison the best friend OF the actress.
The young women roomed together for
almost a year. when they were both
members Of the Pretty Maiden Sex
tet'' OF the Western "FlorodOra' com
pany. and Miss Morrison knew prac-
ticaHy all Of Miss Patterson's secrets.
The death Of Caesar Young WAS
certainly sad enough. but there IS some
comedy in that for me. when / think
OF Nan Patterson. or Nan Randolph. as
she was known on the stage. being sus-
pected Of having killed him. The thought
Of that girl injuring anyone Is really
ludicrous
81 believe that I know her as well as
any girl in the world does. and ] know
that there was never any venom - her.
A dozen members OF the old 'F1Orodord'
company will bear me out in this state
ment
Miss Patterson is about twenJy-on-
years old. She was born IN Washing
ton. her parents being refined anl fair
~ wealthy. She went TO a private
school there, taking special course
in music
Engaged When School Girl.
Before she left school she became en-
g,ceG - "a ycung man raIned Martin
WIN Il, I.Dsy e c'vrk in a New York hotel
They were married when Nan was
eighteen. but their honeymoon was hard
iy over before they separated know
that II was not the girls fault.
1T was then that she decided to 60
on the stage. and she made application
for an engagement 70 John Fisher, OF
the firm Of Fisher & Ryley. the mana
gers OF 'FIorodora' She was engaged
Immediately for the company. but her
fascinating appearance and good voice
got her a place IN the seXtet before the
the company opened. ! was the first girl
she met In the company. / don't believe
] ever met anyone SO timid. II was al
brand new 70 her. and the night the
piece opened in Hartford ! thought she
would not have the courage 10 20 on.
Hated the JOhnnies.
After a few days her nervousness
began to wear CT. but she never lost
her dreld Tor stage-door hangers-on.
have often seen her wait on the stage
until ffter every one else had left. In
hoIes that the 'Johnnies' would be gone
b. fore she went out.
''Ehe and ! were roommatca rom the
start. 50 that ] felt that she waI my
charge. 10 great exent, ana did my
bcs- 70 look after her. acc Jrdingly.
II began 10 get an insight into the
girls true character after we had been
out about a month. We were IN Salt
Lake City when a chorus girl became
Ill She had galloping consumption,
and was too ill 20 go OF while we were
there
When the company was ready 10
leave We were puzzled as to what TO do
with the girl. But Nan was the one
to Ko forward
III stay here she said, and look
after her. and when she Is well enough
to travel we will meet the company
|'Of course there were lots OF protests
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