The New York herald., 1876-12-09
CHASED ACROSS THE CONTINENT

LOUIS DE NRvE
For several years past young French girl named
Jeanne Bennett known as 'the pretty frog hunter"
was one OF the Pablo characters OF San Francisco.
She about twentysx years old Of slim but grace.
fu figure a brunette with lustrous black eyea In
former years her father Jacques Bonnett, actor,
performed with the French company at the old Amer-
Theatre in San Francisco. Jeanne while mere
child played on the stage, and 1t was thought would
make clever actress but, owing to the want OF
paterna care, she formed the Acquaintance OF a
ioer,inc, who ruined her When her mother dis
covered this she placed Jeanne In the Indus
trial school, where the Sisters OF Charity used
every enor, 10 reform her lie. she proved
incorrlgibe and was discharged from the institution.
For some time alter she mingled with the French
women OF abandoned character In San Franc SEQ and
on one occasion arrested for burglary. Suddenly
10 all Appearances she abandoned this mode OF HE and
started ID business as "trog hunter, supplying the
San Francisco hotels with frogs which she caught in
the marshes beyond san Miguel She dressed In male
attire, and on occasion, when arrested told Chief
Crowley that II was necessary TO mems clothes -
order TO make a lvilg ior herself AMI her mother,
whom she supported. Al the same time she
nounced herself the unswervpg enemy OF the colony
Frenchmcn who lived In the city The proceeds or
women's shame. or these miserable wretches she
always spoke in terms Of loathing and contempt
Her winning ways and APPEARANCE gained
her many friends IN the city, and
she earned quite considerable sum every week
Among the acquaintances sho made while leading a
lite OF shame was u French girl named Blanche Bon
neau, VINO Kept house in sacramento street. This
girls lover was Arthur Pierre Louis De Neve formerly
employed distillers mouse IN Paris. He had tour
children by Blanche Bonneau. whom he brought from
Pa xr,th i'm un bctw IN
Neve ana Blanche, ana another man Of tho name OF
Ernest Gerard, who lived with French woman named
Madeleine Georges, atNo IS swaverey place, Fran
cisco, assisted Dc Ncve IN stealing the children IRON
Blanche Bonneau's house Al this Juncture Jeanne,
who had renamed on intimate terms with Blanche,
old the that she ought TO leave De Neve. and
take legal steps 10 recover The custody Of her
children. THIS advice was followed by Blanche,
ana the two women started house in Dupont
street. De Neve sold out The house
Sacramento street for $l,S00, and announced his
ntealion Of gong TO Europe. he did not 60, but re-
NAMED IN Francisco threatened to be revenged
on Jeanne and Blanche Gerard, IL was stated also
made threats Of similar character The murder OF
Jeanne Bennett occurred on the night OF September IL
and oil ihe most bruta character. In the morn
ing with Blanche, Jeanne hired carriage In Stockton
street and drove San Miguel, i've miles from
Jeanne dressed in male attire Near the railroad
station there low hotel called the ''San
Miguel Saloon" which is kept BY an lrshman
the right Of the barroom IS bedroom reserved tor
guests ana back OF IL another chamber in which Nc
Namara and his wife slept The women, who were
out on froic engaged The spare room and went out
In tho woods. They returned at nightis, and
tcring their bedchambcr called tor some wine, which
was furnished them by Mcnamara. When he entered
the room with the wine Jeanne was seated in chair
smoking cigarette. They requested him 10 ADJUST
blind or the window. which looked out open
grass plot He did 50 and left The remainder OF the
story is told by Blanche Bonneau. She states that
Jeanne took of her mems clothes and laid down on
the inside the bed She was sitting the
euge OF tho bed unbuttoninE hor CATERS, when
the report OF gun heard and the glass OF tho
window was shattered. She exclaimed :--sAon Dieu
0u'ssf c,ea que ca ," Good Hcavoas! what's thaty)
and turning to Jeanne saw that she covered
with blood jeanne who was gasping tor breath. said
Jaif! Ma pa,.rre mere Je meurs! chere sour je
te suIsi" blanche, am Wounded !: Is all overt My
poor motherl am ay,ng! Dear sister, follow you'd
who died three years ago Blanche ran screaming for
help INTO tho room occupied by tho McNamaras, and
they rushed into the bedroom Jeanne was dead.
SIX buiets such as are used in navy revolver.
had entered her chest anu half dozen more
were found 10 the head of the bed An alarm was at
once g,ven IL found that the cowardiy
had leaned she barrel OF shotgun on the wndowsl,
and taking deliberate fred through the glass. The
country secured for miles around but tho mur
derer escaped The next day Detective Noyes arrived
from San FrRncisco and began an investigation He
worked up the grs anteccdcnts, traced out her con-
nection with Blanche Bonneau, and became satisfied
that DE Neve the criminal He based his convic-
tion Two Rrounds-cither that De Ncve mistook
Jeanne for aud shot her through motives Of
Jealousy that knowing her 10 be Jeanne In male ut
lire he killed through motives Of revenge Re-
turning 10 San Francisco the detective and Chief
Lees used every effort to prevent the escape
OF DE Nevc. The French dens IN the Guy were
hauled at night and thoroughly searched, but TO no
purpose Geraru and Nadectne Georges were arrested
but subsequently, discharged, as they proved they
in San Francisco ut the time Of the murder. The
Affair created she greatest IN the city ana
reward OF $500 offered lor De Neve's arrest Tho
ctizsns raised subscr' pti0n and gave Jeanne most
costly funeral Since that time the San Francisco
pol cs have unceasngiy endeavored to ascertain the
Wh q
ago that be was discovered Alter tho commission Of
Tho murder De Neve came TO this city
and stopped with a trend. named Ernest Iucaud
IN West Third Lucaud went to Havana and took
De Nevc with him. He returned three weeks ago. BY
some means the Cniet Of the San Francisco police
learned OF his presence here and teeeraphed 10 su-
pcrintcndent Wailing requesting his arrest and also
the apprehension OF Auguste Prosper Robert a wit
ness whom he also nIormcd was In this city.
Tue detectives placed the learned that De Nevc
was living No 1853 Wooster street, but could ind
him there; they at length decided TO try Gnesse aud
calling al the mouse in the disguise OF letter carriers
said there ictter at the Post once tor Dc Neve.
ON Thursday evening he called ar The Post oiice for
the letter. in company with Signor Gabriel Castral
and u. Masour. and was promptly arrested aud
conveyed to the Central Office In person DE
and GOOD appearance Hell auent conversa,ionai,st
and debonnair IN manner. He was recognized from
his being slightly pockmarked All access TO tho
prisoner denied by superintendent Waliing.
HERALD reporter however, had an interview with him
al tue Essex Market Court his being arragncd be-
lore Justice smith De Ncve said ho was perfectly in
nocent Of the crime charged against him. that he
10 san Francisco the time happened, and that the
only he 10 this city was that he found he
could not live any longer with Blanche Bonpcau. Ho
denied having used threats against Jeanne except
saying he would have her arrested " she
noyed him He expressed ms Willingness TO
TO San Francisco Tor traL lie WAS re-
fnandcd 10 the Central ONCE. Late yesterday
afternoon Private Detective James kicy learned that
the witness Robert IN beer sa oon at No ll6
tircene street. arrested HIM He WAS also iockod
up at Police Headquarters, where he aud De Ncvc will
be detained until the arrival OF Chief Lees ard the San
Erau dat A Hxp 4 n ~
evening had interview with Ernest Gerard, who de-
clared that DC Ncve innocent. He said that
Jeanne had made many enemies. some OF whom might
have killed her. she threatened 10 throw vrioi on
h because he advised Blanche 10 live with De Nevc.
As to stealing the chiidrea De Neve placed them 10
his charge II necessary he would go to San Fran
to testify 10 tho The arrest OF De Ncve has
great the French quarter Of this
CITY,