Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-20
A MARRIAGE THAT FAILED.
ITS STORY TOLD IN THE DEACON
TRAGEDY AT GAY CANNES.

! Other Causes OF Marital Discord Than Wife.
ly Inf1deiity-The Chances for Leniency
in the French Courts-Nirs. Deacon Once
Guarded Her Reputation.
CANNES, FRANCE, Feb. 19.-Mr. Dea-
cons action in shooting NJ Abeille meets
with general commendation. Mr. Deacon,
who surrendered to the police Immediately
after the shooting, was to-day examined by
the magistrate in charge of the cases. Mr..
Deacon said he arrived at the Hotel Splen-
dide shortly after midnight yesterday. As
he entered the corridor he saw a light shin
ing through the space under the door of his
wife's ROOM
Mr. Deacon's suspicious regarding his
wife had been aroused some months prior to
that by her conduct, but he had no tangible
proof When he saw the light under the
door he determined to at once confirm his
worst belief He summoned the clerk of
the hotel, and in his company broke in the
door of the ROOM He saw Abeille hiding
behind an arm chair and fired three shots at
him Mr.. Deacon added that it was not his
intention to kill the man, but only to
wound him. Mr. Deacon asked the magis-
tratv to admit him to bail The magistrate
declined to do so at once, but promised to
consider the application. Mrs. Deacon told
a story which confirmed that of her hus-
band.
Wifely Extravaganza Began 1t.
Mr.. Deacon further stated that his wife
had the most extravagant tastes, and that
lately she had spent fabulous sums on her
toilet This extravaganza had led to quar-
rels between him and his wife His con-
iugal life, he said, had been unhappy for
long time. He was very soory for what he
had done. but the thing had gone on too
long and could only end Badly.
A special telegram to THE DISPATCH
from New York says: The French law gov
erning such crimes as the killing of NJ.
Abeille is not very different from ours in
its result The old timers who remember
the killing of James Barton Key in Broad
way by a wronged husband, and the acquit-
tai of the latter after long trial, know that
even in this city justice at times takes
lenient view of such offenses.
The French Law on the Subject.
Viscombe d'Albac, the French Consul
General here, quoted the French code when
asked what the law of France said in
such cases. In article 32+appears this para
graph:
In the case of adultery, murder of the
wife, as well as her lover, committed by the
husband on the instant when he surprises
them in his house, is excusaole.
'Ts excusable" is used only in the legal
sense, and is equivalent to the phrase, sis
done under extenuating circumstances
Other articles say:
When the excuse has been proved. if it
is q question OF a crime punishable by death
penalty will be reduced to imprisonment
without labor) for from one to five Years.
Murder is justi1iaDle by death when it pre-
ceGes, accompanies or follows another
will be punished by imprisonment with
hard labor for lie!
The Consul said, moreover, that the pris- |
Dner will have trial by jury in the Court |
IF AssiZss, and the jury will decide upon |
he facts while the Judge will PROFOUND |
he law In similar cases prisoners have
oeen acquitted by juries, but it does not
necessarily follow that such will be the re-
ult in the recent instance At the office of
Condert Bros, one of the French LAWYERS
Engaged by the firm said he believed
Deacon would be acquitted
The Story of the Deacon Marriage.
An evening paper has the following: The
flair at Cannes YESTERDAY, which involves
he reputation OF Mrs. L florence Deacon, is
terrible and unexpected blow to her
riends and family in this city.
Florence Baldwin, the daughter of the
ate Admiral Baldwin and the cousin of
Eugene Higgins, the young millionaire was
married to Edward Parker Deacon, the son
# Commodore Deacon, about - years ago
Mrs. Deacon was then very young, and for
ONE time and for various reasons con-
ected not alone with the youth of his
laughter, Admiral Baldwin hesitated con-
ent to the marriage, but he presently
-ielded, and it was brilliantly celebrated.
Mrs. Deacon was then a beautiful woman, |
blonde, with slight willowy figure, fine
and large expressive eyes. Mrs.
beacon attracted some attention few years
ince by declining to be presented to the
'rince of Wales out of regard for her repu-
alton. The style of living of these young
eople swallowed up fortune after fortune.