National Republican., 1876-10-03
FUN THAT ENDED IN DEATH.
A Reckless Young woman's Unfortunate
ldventure

The persistency of Jennie Bonnet in wear
ing male attire, after making her whim for
several years diversion for herself and her
male acquaintances, has ended in her dreadful
death. She was born in Paris twenty-seven
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
theatres. After that he was employed in a
mercantile establishment. 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 good
looking, boyish fellow. Her dash in amuse-
ment 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 Sc
cured was spent in luxurious living.
Yesterday Jennie started out in her favorite
disguise, with young companion named
Blanche Buneau, on an excursion of fun. They
hired horse and carriage at livery stable,
and drove to San Miguel, stopping there at
the San Miguel hotel, a small establishment
that thrives on its restaurant, being close by
the railroad depot. The landlord knew Jennie,
because she had often been in his house, and
her free expenditures made him q safe guar
dian of her secret. That day Jennie and
Blanche went horseback riding, and in the
evening they dined sumptuously at the hotel,
drinking more wine than women usually do.
They had intended to return to the city earlier,
and had so informed the liveryman; and,
alarmed by their continued absence, he lol
lowed them to regain his property. He quar-
relied with Jennie, and was about to strike her,
whereupon the landlord told him that she
was a woman, and he desisted. The horse
and wagon were then taken away by the
owner, the women deciding to remain all night.
Blanche had an accepted lover, William
Deneye, whom she was engaged to marry. He
was a Frenchman, and extremely jealous.
Once he saw her with Jennie, who was un-
known to him, and whom he at once regarded
time upbraided Blanche, but she did not un-
deceive him as to Jennie's identity. 1t is
believed that he saw, or In some way learned
of her departure yesterday for San Miguel,
was furiously excited by her apparent tickle
ness, followed them, and watched their
movements until the terrible end of the ad-
venture.
The room in which Jennie and Blanche were
to sleep was in the first story, adjoining bal
coDy. They retired late. Blanche got into
bed first, and Jennie was preparing to do so.
Suddenly, without previous warning, there
was a gunflash and a report at the window,
and heavy charge of buckshot entered Jennie's
side, killing her instantly. Blanche ran
screaming to the door, arousing the household
with her cries. The frightened landlord hest
tated to go to the balcony, and before he
braced his courage sufficiently to make a
search the murderer had escaped.
A coroner's jury this morning gave verdict
against Deneve, but he has not been found by
the police.-San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 10.