The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-05-20
Mr.. DEACON'S TRIAL.
ArraIgned To-Day at Nice for the
Murder Of AbeiIIe.
THREE VILLAGES WIPED OUT.
A Disastrous Earthquake In the Trans
caucasus Baron Hirsch's Committee
Offers 500 Rubies to Each Destitute
Russian Emigrant.
(BY SPECIAL CABLE TO THE NEWS

lBf SPECIAL CABLE TO rHE NEwsl
NICE, May 20-The trial of Edward
Parker Deacon for the killing Of NJ.
Abeille was begun this morning. There
was an immense throng of spectators
anxious to obtain admission to the court
room. Order was only maintained with
the greatest difficulty. Mr.. Deacon en-
tered with his counsel, and appeared per-
fectly cool and collected. The proceedings
opened by the prosecution writing the
facts which the authorities expected to
prove.
! There were many ladies in the court
room occupying seats in the gallery.
Among the distinguished foreigners in
court were Mr.. Harris, the British Con-
sui, Mr.. Vial. the American Vice Consul
and Major Brevoort, Mrs. Deacons
brother. Whatever may be the outcome
OF the trial there Is no prospect OF a recon
ciliatioa between Mr. and Mrs. Deacon.
The former Is determined TO sue for a
divorce in the Paris tribunal as soon as
possible.
Judge Aubertin, president of the court,
was On the bench at 9:2O when proceed
ings were begun. Count Du Moiron,
prosecutor OF the republic, was on hand
was represented by Matre Damage, a cele-
brated advocate Of the French bar.
Mr.. Dean, who Is about 80 years Of age.
looked pale and worried but betrayed
little nervousness while on the witness
stand. He stood the searching examina-
tion we'll and his direct testimony was not
shaken in the slightest.
Mrs. Deacon was not in court but all
the other witnesses answered when their
names were read. Deacon was the first
witness. In reply to the questions of the
presiding magistrate he said that he had
had no previous trouble with the police.
He admitted that he drank whiskey, but
added that he was not a drunkard. He
also admitted that he had hasty tenn
per.
When asked il il was not true that he
preferred the society OF Americans TO that
of Trench people and his wife vice versa,
he declined to answer. Most of the direct
examination was carried on in French,
but the foreman of the jury stated that he
had trouble in understanding Deacon and
the services OF an interpreter were secured.
Deacon received the well known story of
his wife's intimacy with Abeille, and OF
his efforts To reform her. He said he did
not hire a detective TO watch his wife
until January, when positive proof OF his
wife's guilt was made known.
When asked by Judge Aubertine why
he had left his wife alone at Cannes, he
replied that his funds were running Low
and he had gone to Paris TO draw some
money. He Indignantly denied that ne
had left his wife alone at Cannes in order
to render it easy for Abeille to visit her.
He told the story of the shooting in
straightforward manner and when he
seated that he felt sorry for Poor Abeille,
when he saw how badly he had wounded
him." there was general applause from
the spectators which was checked by the
court.
He swore positively that when he was
admitted to his wife's room, Abeille was
attired in his night garment over which
he had hastily drawn his coat. The testi-
mony of the prisoner evidently produced
a good effect on the judge and jury. At
noon an adjournment was announced for
dinner.