MURDERESS OR HEROINE?

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 244, 12 October 1907, Page 13

MURDERESS OR HEROINE?

SHOOTS FATHER WITH REVOLVER, Mrs. Langlotz. a young German widow, fought a duel with her father, Mr. Georges Wasser. aged fifty-four, the other day, finally I—licting a wonnd which caused his death two hours later. She has now been liberated on bail. The story, told by a New York correspondent, is somewhat sensational. The fight took place iv a dingy New York sittingroom, and nine bullets were exchanged. The police inspector who heard Mrs. Langlotz's story is reported to have declared: "Mrs. Langlotz is not a murderess, but a heroine." The woman's version of the tragic affair Is that she was nerved to frenzy by seeing her father shoot her mother.' The father and mother di ed in hospital within a few hours eif each other, both remaining unconscious to the end. The Wassers came to New Yorh fifteen years ago from Germany. He was a labourer, and. in consequence of his brutality, his wife and family -leSt him. Virtually the family had lived in terror of the man ever since the separation. He threatened to kill all the family—mother, two daughters, and son. Occasionally he did come to the house, and mat— an uproar every ■time. The final row came on Friday when Wasser, who was very drunk, came to Mrs. passer's rooms and asked her to take him back, "if y OU QOn . t dolt n , bjll yon _ md all tae brats.' he threatened. "I will never take you back," answered Mrs. Wasser These words proved her death-warrant for the man pulled out a revolver and shot her at close range, the bullet going through her lungs. Mrs. Langlotz, who has only been a widow for six months, was present, and her younger sister, Annie, was also there. Remembering that a revolver was kept In a drawer the older daughter bad told her sister to' run and get it. Annie placed the weapon in Madeline's hand just as Wasser was raising his revolver to shoot again at his helpless wife. His hand was stayed by a bullert that flew past Ws face and smashed a pit .tu re oa wan behmd him. Although she had never handled a revolver before, the young woman displayed remarkable still, and great cour age. Wasser returned the shot but his aim was poor. Then, standing only twelve feet away from each other, the two ex changed bullet for bullet. Wasser fixed tour ST 8 at t W f*«Sbter, but not oneC Its mark. There were five ■_rtrid b€B in the girl's weapon, and the last one dropped the man, with an ugly hole In his head. Police passing at the time then cam e __, and arrested the valiant ypang _ldcs».