Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-10-02
FUN ENDING IN DEATH.
A Reckless Young LRdy's Adven-
tmre.

SAN FRANCISCO, September &C.
The persistency of Jennie Bennett
in wearing male attire, after making
her whim for several years a diver
sion for herself and her acquain-
tances, has ended in her dreadful
death. She was born in Paris
twenty-seyen years ago, and her
father and mother were actors.
The family came to San Francisco
in 1852, and Mr.. Bonnet, being
able to speak English with sufficient
accuracy, was employed during the
next dozen years or so in the poorer
theaters. After that he was en-
ployed in mercantile establish
ment. Jennie grew up about as
she would, and her ways were wild.
One of her fancies was the wearing
of male dress, and she wore her
hair short in order to assist in the
disguise. Her features were not
femininely delicate, nor her voice
as light as is common with her sex;
and consequently no stranger would
guess that she was not a good look
ing, boyish fellow. Her dash in
amusement was in keeping with
her business vim. She dealt in
frogs, supplied the large hotels and
restaurants with them, and derived
from them an ample income. The
money thus secured was spent in
luxurious living.
Yesterday Jennie started out in
her fayorite disguise, with young
companion named Blanche Buneau,
on an excursion Of fun. They
hired horse and carriage at a
livery stable, and drove 10 San Mi.
guel, stopping there at the San
Miguel Hotel, a small establishment
that thrives on its restaurant, be-
ing close to the railroad depot. The
landlord knew Jennie, because she
had often been in his house, and
her free expenditures made him a
safe guardian of her secret. That
day Jennie and Blanche went
horseback riding, and in the even
ing they dined sumptuously at the
hotel, drinking more wine than
women usually do. They had in
tended to return to the city early,
and had so informed the liyeryman;
and, alarmed by their continued
absence, he followed them to regain
his property. He qnarreled with
Jennie, and was about to strike
her, whereupon the landlord told
him that she was woman, and be
desisted. The horse and carriage
were then taken away by the owner,
the woman deciding to remain al
night,
Blanche had an accepted lover
William Deneve, whom she was en-,
gagged to marry. He was a French,
man, and extremely jealous. Once
he saw her with Jennie, who was
unknown to him, and whom he al
once regarded as an interloping
young man. Deneye at that time
upbraided Blanche, but she did mo-
undeceive him as to Jennie'S iden.
tity. 1t is believed that he saw ol
in some way learned Of her depar
ture yesterday for San Miguel, was
fumously excited by her apparen
fickleneSs, followed them, an(
watched their movements until tht
terrible end of the adventure.
The room in which Jennie an(
Blanche were to sleep was in tn
first story adjoining the balcony
They retired late. Blanche go
into bed first and Jennie was pre-
pairing to do 50. Suddenly, with
out previous warning, there was
flash and a report at the window
and a heavy charge Of bucksho
entered Jennie's side, killing he
instantly. Blanche ran screaming
to the door, arousing the househol,
with her cries. The frightene,
landlord hesitatea to go to the bal
cony, and before ho braced his cQuy
age sufficiently TO make a searcI
the murderer had escaped.
A Ooropers jury this mornin
gave a verdict against DeneFe, bu
he has notbeep found by the police
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