The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-07-26
ON Blended KNEES
SHE BEGGKD PITIOUSLY THAT HER
LIFE BR NOT TAKEN.
Her Grandfather Was Relentless and Fired
Three Shots Which Proved Fatal
A Tragedy in Sherman; Texas.

ALieu Ills pretty young
err, Josephine Gre1neau, at his home, No.
1853 South Montgomery street
There Is a pathetic story leading up to
this terrible domestic tragedy. A few
days since, Ben Simpson, stepson of
Regnier, impaired to him secret concern
ing the girl. This the girl had herself
told to Simpson some months since, but
at her urgent request he. has kept her Sc
cret because she said if her grandfather
found it out that he would kill her as he
had threatened to kill her if she ever went
astray Simpson said that he had pleaded
with her to break off her acquaintance
with the young man who had caused her
ruin or force him to give her his name.
10 the latter step she objected, but after
awhile she consented, saying that she
would do SO only to save her life, as she
knew she would be killed if the matter
ever reached her grandfather's ears.
Simpson himself carried a letter to the
young man, which subsequently proved to
be an appeal from her for the protection
of a name, though Simpson at the time did
not know what it was. Matters grew more
and more complicated and more and more
was leaking out about the misfortune
of the poor girl and Simpson, finding that
he himself was having the finger of sus-
PiNa'h PVibaSu dC Ottluct w lCIl LhC
whole matter to Regnier just as it was.
Yesterday afternoon Regnier and his wife,
who were at home alone, began to discuss
the matter and a hot and stormy interview
followed. Miss Lillian Morton, who was
standing just across the street, says Mrs.
Regnier told her husband something and
he replied
why didn't you tell me that before?'
Mrs. Regnier gave woman's reasons,
"Because,' and ttegnier replied:
Its a lie, and his wife reJoined:
well, III prove IL.
She then went to her daughters, Mrs. Il.
w. Haskell, who lives ut No. $40 ON the same
street, about ii block away. Mrs. Haskell
says that her mother told her that Kegner
laying the whole blame upon her thlrs.
liegniep and her children, Mrs. Haskell and
Ben Simpson, saying they were the cause OF
his granddaughters trouble and disgrace.
This Mrs Regnier had strenuouSly denied
and they went over to the house TO sustain
their mother in what she had said. When
they got there Kegnier gone and Mrs.
Haskell remained at the house with her
mother: They sat talking of the matter for
probably half an hour, when Miss Josephine
Gremeau and Miss Frances Kencau came back
from up town.
They said they had met Mr.. Regnicr up
town at the court plaza and that he said
something to them as they passed him, but
that they could not understand what 1t was.
Hardly had they time to take on their mats
the dining hall and. addressing his grand
daughter, said
Its you: I'll kill you'll
The poor girl In a tone of pleading suppl
cation rs her grandfather drew a pistol from
where it had been concealed in his pants band
cried out:
Mrs. Regnicr rushed forward and piteously
begged her husband to kill her, but not to
kill the poor child. Rudely, was she showed
aside and dclibel ately leveled the pistol at the
girl. who had refused to run out of the house
rs tod to. She was kneeing before her
ri ro Thar JITp vi N ri fnnn Pow
her life. Regnier fired three times and as
his daughter. Frances, fled down the street,
kill her. After the shooting Regnier deliber-
ately walked up to the city and surrendered
to Deputy Sheriff Gene Andrews, to whom he
.-Aiv granddaughter has disgraced the fam
" aAd . have Killed her, or at least have
In fact so calmly was this said that the Off
Ger. while he took him In charge half
doubted what he said. He had no pistol at
found from whom Regnler tried to borrow a
pistol where he got it is yet unknown. At
the Jail at p. m; he refused to talk to The
News reporter. md simply said:
81 have nothing to say What I told the
officers they can tell YOU
James Clark, who lives near was one Of the
first to reach the house. and when he got to
the PROSTATE girl she was gasping out her last
breath She recognized him, and family said:
She did not live exceeding two minutes from
the time of the shooting. Mrs. Regnier Is
crazed,. wringing her hands and crying
statement of the affair ut all Deceased was
not quite seventeen years of age and had lived
with her grandfather. who has been married
twice since she was child of four years at
which age her mother died and consigned her
to the Of her grandfather Regnier has
two children by a former wife, the girl
Frances and son. Joe. n lad Of perhaps
eighteen wears They had slight idea of
what it was all about but were too confused
t. tell It.
Mrs. Regnicr who WAS Mrs. Simpson
e" - " former husband. They are Ben
o',nn;or and Mrs. r. w. Haskell. Both par
ties We're living Van Alstyne when they
wara married They had lived In and near
months since she has been the proprietor of
hotel on East Houston street.
The Young man who Is alleged to have
caused the deceased girls shame was
bourder at the Rouse for quite n while. Regnier
had been section boss on several north Texas
drank q good deal. hut to all who say him
,ns- before the tragedy this afternoon he ap-
peared very cool and sober. At several places
where he went to borrow n pistol he said 1t
him He has rover made any threats In this
,nnttcr and did NOT let any one know that he
knew O. it 1rt It SEEM be made mp his mind
tn Eil the roor girl. Great crowds OF people
haze hocked about the scene OF the murder
ever since 1t occurred and are still there.
There Is n great deal of excitement on the
streets.
The Thieves May Escape.
Saltillo, Mexico. July 23.-(Specal)-
The two Nashville, Tenn, bank robbers,
Lester II. Gale and J. e. Turner, who
We're arrested here few days ago. may es-
cape being returned to the United States
aftpr oil Thay wnra fully identified nv