The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-06-26
A SOUTHERN SENSATION.
II POETESS BEATEN By THE DIVORC-
ED RIFE OF HER HUSBAND.
Strange History OF a Hand.ome Virago
Her Desperate Attempts ut Assnssf-
nation.
Prom the New Orleans Times, June 1871


brook was engaged at her toilette, No. 2OS
Constance street, she became conscious that
some one had entered her apartment, and,
turning to observe the visitor, was Instantly
fred upon by wel-dressed woman, standing
In the door.
Horror stricken at the evident attempt at
assassination, Mrs. Holbrook faced her assail-
ant, and after the discharge of second shot
succeeded in clutching the weapon. The two
women struggled tor some seconds, and the
pistol at length dropped upon the floor. Tne
would-be murderer seized quart bottle OF
bay rum, which was standing on the bureau,
and began betting Mrs. Holbrook with 1t over
the head. It was quickly shivered In hum
dred pieces, and the Infuriated woman, snatch
ing China vase from the msntelplece, con-
tinued the attack.
The report Of the pistol attracted the atten-
ton of an aged colored cook, who gave the
alarm, and white servant named Mary rush
ed 10 the rescue. She seized the assailant,
(who proved to be Jennie Bronson, the dl-
aud The present Mrs. Holbrook, succeeding In
extricating herself, rushed ont of the house.
The attack created the Widest excitement,
the servants left In body, and In probably
less than five minutes Jennie Bronson held
uno,spnted possession.
Flushed,~Wiih triumph, the woman at once
commenced n wholesale attack on the furni-
tyre. Mirrors pictures and armolr glasses
We're shivered into~tems, and whatever arti-
cles OF jewelry that cou,d be found In the se-
cond floor we're scattered abuns>in ths widest
confusion. Descending to the GROUND floor,
she procured AL axe from the kitchen andtn.
sumed the work of destruction. A china
closet, containing, apparently, two barrels
full of dishes ana cut glassware, was COM
nIetely stripped of Its contents, and the pro-
miscuous heap was beaten into fragments
upon the hall floor. sideboard containing
csstors, silvpr.service and wineglasses, shared
the came fate. The glazed doors of several
bookcases were knocked into smitnereens,
and the dial plate OF handsome CLOCK broken
to fragments, the sounding board OF new
piano smashed to pieces, and portrait OF Mr:
Holbrook hurled from lts place on Inc wall
and cut to shreds.
Mrs. Holbrook, whom the doctor found 10 be
o,lIte faint from loss OF blood, presented
most depIorable picture. The unhappy lady
mad received deep gasn In front Of the fore
head where the hair Joins 1t, one an Inch long
on the LEFT OF the head and similar wound on
the right of the head. The top is also badly
with blood, and at frat her garments fairly
streamed with gore. He found no difficulty IN
checking the flow of blood, aud believes that
although Mrs. HolbroOk will suffer great pain
Ior several days, she is not In any great dan
ger. - w.
Jennie Bronson reached the city from New
York yesterday morning, and at once secured
room at Wade's Upper City hotel at the cor
ner Of Magazine and Jackson streets. In
conversation with well-known gentleman on
board the train on Sunday, she Is said to have
remarked In wild way, II do not expect TO
be alive twenly-four hours from this tine."
The handsome, and by no means uncultl-
waited, cause OF the above terrible misfortune
was met by Mr.. Holbrook during the war, and
being OF social disposition, and apparently
really to receive the attentions OF gentlemen,
his advances were encouraged. They travel
led together, became Intimate, and at length
Jennie Bronson went North. Mr. Holbrook
met her again ut the New York hotel during
summer tour, and the intimacy was resumed.
She then represented herself as widow. and
the daughter of an eminent attorney. Mnen
Mr.. Holbrcok was about leaving New fork
she sent for him to her room, and demanded
that he should marry ner. upon MS reIIsiIg'
Jennie swallowed an immense dose OF lauda-
mum, and lying down, calmly informed MIN
that she had but two hours to live. physl-
clan was sent for, but she refused utterly 10
permit q stomach pump to be applied, and 80
worked upon the feelings of naturally crtdu.
lous gentleman, that he at length consented.iA
priest lound conveniently near wds summoned,
the ceremony was performed, stomach pump
was applied and the woman recovered. That
day MIR. Holbrook, after making liberal appro-
priatioDs for her support, left for New Orleans,
il being agreed that she should remain In New
York. he had not been long In the city when
Mrs. Holbrook, selling her furniture, came
SOutb. She stopped ut Havana, and finally.
greatly TO Mr.. Hobrook's surprise, reacned
here, and taking rooms at the 81. Cnarles,
summoned him TO her presence. A series OF
violent ouarreIs, In which he was maltreated
In the prossest manner, was very shortly after
ward the .esult of their meeting, and Mr: d.
was compelled to seek private lodging. She
f.rreted him out, entered his apartment, cut
nm his clothes, and In TACT acted 30 maliclously
that proceedings for divorce were instituted.
A reconciliation followed; and, IN another
Quarrel, she went TO his house on HeVia street,
broke the mirrors and furniture, ana When
the man in charge of 1t attempted to eject her,
she bit him 80 severely tnat 10 tnls day he
bears the marks OF her teeth.
There was another reconciliation anu tnen
another ouarret in the editorial room OF the
PIcayune, In which Mr.. Holbrook was severely
bitten. Proceedings for divorce were again
Instituted, but when the time came to trial the
litlgants were off on bridal tour and lt was
dismissed. So the matter went on for years,
and flpally, In consideration Of certain emoiu-
ments, she left forever.
They met again at the North, where hra.
Holbrook, conspicuous as The best dressed
woman OF the resort. again attracted her hus-
band, and both returning to The city went 10
housekeeping. They lived peaceabiy together
for some time, but the trouble again breaking
out few months ago, suit for divorce was In
stltnted In the Eighth District Court. Upon
being served with the process she wrote
contemptuous reply 10 the plaintifs attorneys,
(Motte & Semmes,) which was filed, and then
went North. Judgment was rendered IN Mr..
Hobrook's favor, and about month ago he
got married.
Jennie Bronson is the daughter of an OYSTER
man doing business near Harlem, New York.
While separated from Mr.. 81. she amused her
self by writing squibs for the newspapers,
and, we believe, at one time succeeded IN en-
tering the Hotel Deu as sister OF charity.
She Is handsome, stormy woman, with Jaws
like tigress, 6ne figure, and at times most
attractive.
The present Mrs. Holbrook Is not only an
estimabe lady, bnt one Of Southland's sweet,
eat poets, and under the nom de plume Pearl
River is known the length and breadth OF the
land. A large circle of sincere friends truly
,r,. IN, hioo with hor in thts try1nQ hOlr. and