New-York tribune., 1891-05-04
A JEALOUS LOVERS CRIME.
ATTEMPTING MURDER AND SUICIDE.
THE GIRL WOULD NOT MARRY HIM. so HE
SHOT HER AND HIMSELF

$500
SHOT HER AND HIMSELF.
Despair at the loss of a woman's affections and
jealousy of an imaginary rival led to double
shooting last night, in which Francois Pettet dan
gerously wounded Marie Foster, his former sweet
heart, and then made a desperate attempt to
kill himself. Miss Foster, brunette twenty
four years old, was born in Paris, her mother ana
father being killed in the Franco-German war
AS she grew to womanhood she developed unu-
sual beauty. She was cloalS-model at Altmans s
drygoods store.
Her assailant was born in Switzerland, and at
one time followed the trade of decorator in this
CITY, Up to within two weeks ago he was work
ing as head-waiter in hotel at Irvington-on- the
Hudson. Then he returned to New-York. where
he has been living with his sister, Mrs. Bardiabon
who. with her husband, occupies a fiat at No.
337 West Fifty-ninth-st.
Miss Foster and Pettet had known each other
since they were children, and Pettet gradually
conceived passionate attachment for her. About
eighteen months ago the young couple became
engaged to be married. Miss Foster had the
womanly hope of working reform in her dissi-
pated lover. but few months trial convinced her
that her efforts would be hopeless. and of late she
had signed in pretty explicit terms her desire TO
be rid of him. Pettet, who had Jealous temper,
believed that another man had supplanted him In
Miss Fosters affections In1amed with rage. he
thrust himself into her presence on every possible
OCCASION entreating her to renew their engage
ment. His entreaties were in vain. Then ne
threatened to kill her, but she stood firm in her
| refusal
Yesterday afternoon Miss Foster left Mrs ia
toms boardinghouse, No. 2s9 West twenty
secondst., where she lodged, and went up to Cen
| Ill Mad Nv Annie
erts, who is also employed as a model at Altman's
and lodges in the same house. On their return
home the girls had to pass Twenty -third-st and
Seventh-ave. There they met by Pettet,
who asked Miss Foster to dine with him. She
declined, saying that she would prefer to dine at
home. Then he made a similar proposal to Miss
Roberts. with the same result. Miss Foster and
Miss Roberts then walked home, Pettet insisting
on accompanying them. When they reached the
house Miss Foster felt, for indefinite reason,
afraid to 90 to her own room, and instead, went
to that occupied by Miss Roberts.
| Pettet, who had been known to Mr.. and Mrs.
Jaton for many years, was allowed to accompany
the girls upstairs When the three stood inside
Miss Roberss room, Pettet turned to Miss Foster
and said Marie. l ask you once more for the
last time-will you marry meP-will you save
me?"
NO." was the reply, given with convincing
promptness and decision.
Then will kill you,' he yelled, drawing an
old-fashioned Smith & Wesson, 32-calibre revolver
from his hip pocket. Miss Roberts screamed and
covered her face with her bands. Pettet levelled
the revolver and fired at Miss Foster, who sank to
the ground with the blood streaming from a
wound in her cheek. Then turning the revolver
on himself. Pettet sent bullet into his temple lie
rolled over to the floor. and then covered with
| blood crawled along the ground to where his
sweetheart lay and tenderly kissed her feet.
The wounded girl and the man who had tried to
murder her were taken in ambulance to the
New-York Hospital, where DR.. Mct5rath last night
said that Pettet would die. Miss Foster will
recover.