Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-07
DEEDS OF A FIEND
Revenge of an Italian Chef
Named Cognacci.
MURDERER LANDED IN JAIL
An Injured Husband Kills His Vile
and Child and the Destroyer
of His Home

Florence. June 6.-This city 10
greatly excited over 3 frlgnttui tragedy.
A cook named Cognaeci, who has been
considered one OF the best artists in the
culinary line, not IN Florence alone
but II Italy, and whose services have
been in demand by mobiles and princeiy
houses at high pay, recently fell in
love with and married bright and
pretty German woman named Marie
etraubinger. Marie WAS native OF
Munich and the pair were settled IN
the palace OF Count Corazgl, Cognacci
being chef and Marie wait
ress. There the two lived
happily for some time, Marie being APP
parently devoted TO her Italian bus
band and ne truly devoted TO her.
Count Corazgi had an intimate
friend and frequent guest, wealthy
Florenune merchant named Altman.
The latter at Count Corazgis palace
saw Marie, and was deeply fascinated
by her attractions. He made APP
proaches to the girl which she virtuous-
ip ignored, and when he became bolder
IN his advances she repulsed INN. The
husband, Cognacci, was extremely
jealous of any attention shown TO his
wife, and took occasion, IN the presence
of other servants TO warn her against
Ahaari. On one occasion Cognacci
was beheadng q capon, and he held up
the bleeding and fiuttering fowl in
front of Marie, and told her that if she
ever proved false he would treat her
just like that. Marie only laughed.
Killed While Asleep.
Alinari continued his attentions and
at length, by presents OF money ana
other gifts, ne succeeded in winning
first Mares liberation and then her
favor. In the course of the past week
there Is no doubt Alinari ana Marie
we're on terms Of criminal intimacy.
The situation did not escape the leal-
Gus vigilance of Cognacci, who, how
ever, waited until ne had absolute
proof before taking the course upon
which ne had evidently resolved. That
proof he obtained. He did not con-
front his wife with the Charge of in
fidelity, but waited until he could
find her asleep. Marie and her
babe-for q child has been born to
Marie and Cognacci--were in bed to-
gether, when the husband proceeded
10 take his horrible revenge. He seized
his wife by the throat and speedily
strangled her. Then he smothered the
infant. He had with him kitchen
knife, and with this ne severed his
wife's head from her body. Leaving
the dead baby weltering IN the blood
of its mother, Cognacci stole out OF the
palace and made his way to the resi-
dence of the seducer, Alinari. He
forced his way into the house and
rushed to the merchants apart:
ments. The terror-stricken servants
| followed as fast as they dared
but were in time only to hear
Cognacci exclaim: "Ah, wretch, you
robbed me of my wife and she is dead
and our infant, too, and you must die
| YOU robber and seducer." Alinarl gave
a terrible shrek for help. but almost
at the same instant pistol shot rane
out and Alinari fell dead.
Cognacci then attempted to Shoot
himself, but the servants rushed upon
him and secured him after a desperate
struggle. The police we're called and
Cognacci was bound and taken K
prison, where he lies raving about
Marie and Alinari and his child, and
calling for death to relieve him of hi
misery.