The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-07
REENNSCCH'S RASCALITY.
A Chattanooga Laundryman De-
SertS His Pretty Wife.
The Story of John Rench's Marriage Bust
ness engagements and Downfall
Life on Postal Car.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, August 5,--TSpecial.
Protracted indulgence in whisky and associa-
ton with lewd women have claimed another
victim in John G. Rench, a popular and here
tofore highly esteemed business man of West
Nineteenth street, who is the proprietor of the
largest steam laundry in the city.
Saturday night he left on the Cincinnati
Southern train for Cincinnati, but not until
this morning was ii discovered that he had de-
liberately deserted his young wife. Upon 60
ing to the postoilice for the mail, L. H. Cooke,
the manager of the laundry, received the fol-
lowing note:
DEAR COOKE Owing to the failure of my wife
and to agree, have gone away and will leave the
business for her TO manage
(Sjgned) RENcu
From Mr.. Cooke il was learned that about
o'clock on Saturday night Rench took all the
money from the safe and babe the BOYS
goodbye, saying that he was going away.
They supposed, however, that he was only
going on short trip and would be back in
few days.
1t now turns out that he had been planning
the matter for some time and last week sold
his horse and buggy at great sacrifice, telling
his wife rs preteYt that the horse had nails
in his foot and he couldn't drive it home, but
had to leave it at Chapmans livery stable.
EMPLOYED by UNCLE SAM.
John Rench was for some years q postal
clerk on one of lines running out of Chatta-
nooga. While in that business he became en-
gagged to a daughter of G. w. Vinson, ex-
circuit court clerk and director in the First
National bank, and upon his promise to lead
moral life they were married Three years
ago he was discharged from the postal service
on political grounds and his father-in-
law Immediately set him up in
the laundry business His business
grew so rapidly that little over a year ago he
rented large room on West Ninth street,
where he has been making money very rapidly.
His business stands to-day as one of the most
valuable pieces of property in the city.
THE APPEARANCE OF THE TEMPER.
AT his new stand Rench made money easily
and spent it freely. Being located in neigh
borhood of temptation, lie soon began to love
the association of low dives, and as he had
plenty of money he soon became very popular
Cards, dice and drink finally became monoto-
nous and he soon allowed himself to be freely
led by notorious women. All the time en-
deayoring to keep his action from his family.
Frequent trips were made to Nashville and
other points TO meet low women. lie spent
the greater part of his night away from his
home against the protest of his wife,
who is ono of the leading ladies of the
city and snoted slor her piety. She entreated
him TO regard his marriage vows, but he be-
came angry, and for the past two months when
appealed to by her to lead different life, he
threatened to leave home, but gave no reason
for his actions except that he was
TIRED OF BEING WATCHED.
When he left the city last night he was
known to have several hundred dollars on his
person 1T is reported that he leaves goodly
number Of debts behind
The terrible blow has completely Frustrated
his wife, who is fully convinced of his treach-
cry. The revelations made today caused
great sensation in the city on account of the
prominence of the parties concerned. Mr..
Vinson, the father of Mrs Renoh, is one of
the leading capitalists of Chattanooga, is q
man Of very high standing and is a prominent
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.