MURDERESS OR HEROINE?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 14 November 1907, Page 4

MURDERESS OR HEROINE?

SHOOTS FATHER WITH REVOLVER.

Mrs Langlotz, a young Gorman widow, fought a dud with her father, Mr Georgo Wasser, aged lifty-t'our, the other day, finally inflicting a wound which caused his death two hours later. She has now been liberated 011 bail. The story, told by a New York correspondent, is somewhat sensational. The fight took place in a dingy New York sitting-room, and nine bullets were exchanged. The police inspector who hoard Mrs Langlotz's story is reported to have declared: "Mrs Langlotz is not a murderess, but a heroine." The woman's version oi the tragic affair is that she was nerved to frenzy by seeing her father shoot her mother. The father and mother died in hospital within a few hours of each other, both remaining unconscious to the end. The Wassers came to New York fifteen years ago from Germany. He was a laborer, and in consequence of his brutality his wife and family left him. Virtually the family had lived in terror nf the man ever since the separation. He threatened to kill all the familymother, two daughters, and son. Ocj oasionallv he did come to the house, 'and made an upioar every time. I The final row came 011 Friday, when i Wasser, who was very drunk, caine to Mrs Wasscr's rooms and asked her to take him back. "If you don't do't I'H kill you and all the brats," he threatened. "J will never take you hack. ' answered Mrs AVasser." These wor! • proved Iter death-warrant, for the mm pulled out a revolver and shot her at close range, the bullet going throw.,', her lungs. Mrs Langlotz, who has only been ;i widow for six months, was present, nn.l her younger sister, Annie, was ilso there. Remembering that a revolver was kept in a drawer, the older daughter had told her sister to run and gefc it. Annie placed the weapon in Madeline's hand just as AVasser was raising his revolver to shoot again at his helpless wife. His hand was stayed by a bullet that flew past his face and smashed a picture on the wall behind him. Although she bad never handled' a revolver before, the young woman | displayed remarkable skill and great courage. Wasser returned the shot, but his aim was poor. Then, standing only twelve feet away from each other, the two exchanged bullet for bullet. Wasser fired four shots at his daughter, but not one found its mark. There were five cartridges 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 came in and arrested the valiant young widow.