AN ACTOR ASSASSINATED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2286, 23 December 1897, Page 17

AN ACTOR ASSASSINATED.

London, Decemb-sr "16. William Terriss, the well-known actor, has been assassinated outside the Adelpbi Theatre. Hia assailant has been arrested. He is believed to be a supernumerary formerly employed at the theatre. December 17. Terriss had just alighted from a, brougham, .and was chatting with a friend while unlocking the stage door, in Maiden lane, when j Prince, an actor, Who went by the name of " Mad Archer," rushed forward, and without a word stabbed Terries through the heart and back with a thin, long knife. The victim died within a quarter of an hour. The murderer made no attempt to escape, and was promptly secured. The deed is attributed to Terriss having refused additional assistance to Prince from the actors' j benevolent fund. The murderer bad not been associated with the Adelphi Theatre for several years. The large audience which bad assembled at the theatre sorrowfully dispersed. A curious incident in connection with the tragedy is that Mr Lane Terriss, under-study in " Secret Service," a drama founded on the American war, declares that he dreamt of the murder on the previous night. Archer or Prince appeared at Bow street on a charge of murdering Terriss. Accused displayed signs of imbecility and smiled at the crowd, which was greatly excited and shouted execrations at the murderer. It transpires that Terriss had recommended the trustees of the benevolent fund to assist Archer. i Archer, Terriss'a murderer, had taken minor parts in the play» '.' Trumpet Call " and "In the Ranks," at the Adelpni Theatre. He bad to leave the company while playing at Newcastle because he was fenspected of being deranged. He constantly abused and threatened Terrias, and menaced other players and people for refusing him aid. He was in the habit of pestering notable persons with letters and political effusions. He congratulated the Queen and the Prince of Wales on their birthdays and condoled with Princess Beatrice on the death of Prince Henry of Battenburg, and the Duke of Teck on the* death of the Duchess. He congratulated the Ducbes9 of York on the birth of ft eon, Archer frequently wrote to

Mr Gladstone, Lord Salisbury, and Lorft Rosebery, and elioited replies. In'bis letters he made no direot application for monetary aid. The Adelphi has been cloied on acoonnt of the murder of Terriss, bat reopens oa December 27.