St. Paul daily globe., 1892-02-19
An American Banker Takes
Summary Vengeance on
a FPenehman.
He Found the Latter Scantily
Clad in His Wife's Room
at Midnight.
A Jealous Woman Gave the
Tip That Uncovered the
Intrigue.
Flight OF a Crooked Financier
Creates a Sensation
in Iowa.

CANNES, France, Feb. 1S.-The most
intense excitement was caused in the
large American colony today by the
announcement that one of the most
prominent visitors at the place, Banker
Edward Parker Deacon, native
of the United States. had
shot and killed Frenchman named
Abeille. Mr.. Deacon and his wife
had been soJourning for some time past
at one of the fashionable hotels OF this
fashionable watering place. With them
were their four children. There was
nothing in the actions of Mr.. Deacon to
indicate that he had any suspicion that
his wife was unfaithful to him; on the
contrary they appeared to be as devoted
to each other as Is usual in the case of
people who have been married for
years.
They followed the usual round pur-
sued by society people here. and up to
the very moment of the occurrence
there was DO indication of the tragedy
that resulted in the sudden death of
the wife's paramour. 1t has trans
pired, however, since the shooting,
that Mr.. Deacon suspected that
his wife was unduly inti-
mate with Abeille, who was connected
with the French diplomatic service, and
he kept close watch upon her actions.
At midnight last night Mr.. Deacon, who
was in his room,
Heard a Noise
in his wlfe's room, which was imme-
diately beneath his own. His suspic-
ions were at once aroused and he
descended the stairs and listened at the
door of his wife's room. He heard her
talking and then he heard the voice of
man replying to her. In moment
suspicion became a certainty
and Mr.. Deacon realized that
his wife had betrayed and dis
graced him. He dashed up the stairs
to his room and procured revolver.
Then with feeling of misery he bent
over the bed wherein were sleeping his
innocent little children and impressed
upon their foreheads the last kiss of his
happy days.
Leaving his children asleep, Mr.. Dea-
con went to the room of the secretary
of the hotel and, arousing him, told him
OF the condition of affairs and requested
him to accompany him to his wife's
room. The secretary agreed and to-
gether they went to Mrs. Deacon'S apart
ment. Mr.. Deacon knocked on the door.
but no one came, neither was any answer
made. Mr.. Deacon then forced the door
and entered the apartment. He found
his wife alone, and though she made
desperate effort to keep calm, and asked
him what brought him there at that time
OF the night,
He Was Not Deceived.
He at once proceeded to an adjoining
room which opened from that in which
his Wifp cIant apd tbnra ho diconvorod
Abeille, who was crouehing down AMI
attempting TO hide him self behind a
chair. Mr.. Deacon at once lev
eled his revolver at the man
and fired three shots. Two OF
the bullets struck AbeiIie. one
taking effect in his arm and the other
in his chest. The noise Of the shots
alarmed the people in the house, and
for time the greatest excitement pre-
vailed. The wounded man was carried
to his own room and doctors sum-
moned. They, however, could do
nothing for him except to alleviate
his pain, and at IL o'clock this morn
ing he died. Mr.. Deacon was arrested,
Dut it Is the general opinion among the
Americans here that he did "just the
right thing" Both Mr.. and Mrs. Deacon
are connected with some of the best
families in the United States. Mr..
Deacon after shooting M. Abeille sent
several cable messages to the United
States and Paris, and is said to have
quietly submitted to arrest.
Rumor has it that DIR. Deacon's uneX-
pected return to Cannes was caused by
the receipt Of an anonymous letter, said
to have been written by jealous
woman, who notified tine American
ba nker that if he returned TO the hotel
his wife any warning, he would
undoubtedly find her in COM
promising position with one of his best
friends. Deacon is said to have sent
his wife telegraphic message annOunc-
ing his safe arrival here and to have
started back for Cannes soon after
wards.
Later reports say when Mr.. Deacon
burst into his Wife'S bed room he found
his wife in bed and M. Abeille standing,
partly undresSed, by her bedside, evi-
IDENTITY having sprung out of bed with
the Intention of escaping from Mrs.
Deacon's apartments when he heard the
noise at The door caused by Mr.. Dea-
cons unexpected return.
Wealthy and AristOcratfc.
NEWPORT, r. l., Feb. 1S.-The Dea-
cons are well known here, as well as the
eccentric and well-known Bostonian,
came here as long ago as 1854. He had
a daughter, Mrs. Deacon, who, about
the year named, came here as one of
the most dashing and beautiful widows
Newport ever knew, her husband dying.
but few years after marriage. She
brought with her to her fathers house
their two small children, Ida Deacon
and Edward Parker Deacon, the daugh-
ter dying here within very few years
unmarried. Mrs. Deacon used to en-
tertain with generous hospitality and
was very general favorite.
Society was somewhat astoniShed
some few years ago by the announce
ment of the engagement of young Ed
ward Parker Deacon to Miss Baldwin,
the beautiful and accomplished daughter
of Admiral &. II. Baldwin, U. S. N,
and the heiress of all immense fortune.
1t was generally known that the match
was not acceptable to the parents of the
young lady. The young couple have
spent several summers in Newport with
Mrs. Baldwin of recent years.