River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-04-29

scarcely responsible for what he did.
Acting upon this information, he had
conferred with the chief of police. who
had sent a number of his officers in
attire TO mingle with the crowd
at the cathedral. with orders that il
Choteau made his appearance to keep
him out, or, IL be gained entrance. to
get him quietly out of the way.
As soon as the bridal party arrived
at the residence of the bride. she retired
to her room. So overweight was she
by the attempted tragedy that she was
unable &c partake of the wedding break
fast. to which all the elite of St. Louis
had been hidden.
During the confusion which reigned
at the cathedral after The shooting, the
police discovered young Choteau at the
back of the elifce hidden behind one
OF the pillars. He was taken quietly 10
the Office of the chief of po-
was found upon him, and they
were obliged to let him go free. 1t APP
peared that he had gained admittance
by coming early, and. unknown 10 the
sexton. had taken a secluded position
behind the pillar where he was found.
Meantime, Nina, who was as yet un-
aware of these proceedings, became vio-
lently agitated. and to such an extent
that il was deemed best for her to leave
the city at once, in order TO prevent Sc
rious consequences to her health. Ac-
cordingly, she, with her husband and
maid, took the evening express for Sa
4sVL III -
rouncement of their destination. The
wisdom Of this move was soon seen in
its results upon the mind of Nina. AS
the distance from ST. Louis increased,
her spirits rose, and by the time San
Francisco was reached, she had fully
recovered her accustomed tone, and was
perfectly happy in the devoted love and
attentions of her husband.
Upon reaching San Francisco, they
went TO the Palace hotel and remained
there to rest few days, and then Wis
tied the Hotel del Monte and stayed
there three weeks. From there they
went TO Santa Cruz. While there, they
visited the big trees at FELTON, and the
Cliff drive, and wandered by moon
light along the beach, listening TO the
soft murmur of the sea and bathing in
its placid waters. To Nina, with her
poetic nature, this place seemed an ideal
spot-a veritable paradise. And so
these welded lovers fingered long IN
this place, visited the mountains and
other places of interest. After a
month passed here they returned to
San Francisco to the Palace hotel, there
TO remain until Charles mother had
finished The furnishing and decorating of
"a fine mansion which he had bought for
her, and which she intended to open
with grand reception to her son and
his beautiful bride.
One day, after their return 10 the city.
Charles was surprised at meeting on the
street young Choteau. who told him he
vas with party of friends on Their way
10 Japan. lie congratulated Charles on
his marriage and seemed so sincere
that he was completely disarmed.
Choteau spoke of the trouble thar had
occurred at the wedding, and he pro-
tested his innocence in such strong
terms, and appeared TO sympathize with
Charles so sincerely that the latter con
Guided that Choteau had been the VIC
lin of ungrounded suspicion, and when
he asked him to convey to his bride his
congratulations and best wishes and
NJ ked permission to call, Charles imme
diately gave his cordial assent.
Choteau told Charles that as he should
leave in few days for Japan. he would
call the next afternoon. Accordingly.
the next day, as Charles and his wife
were seated in their parlor, Choteau
was announced. Nina, who had heard
of the conversation her husband had
had with the Creole. gave him cordial
reception. Choteau was a rlOsi accom-
plished musician, and at Nina's invita-
ton he seated himself al the piano and
improvised what he termed his fare
well 10 Nina and her husba nd.
While thus engaged. Charles reIuem-
bered an appointment he had made, and,
looking at his watch, saw that the time
bad arrived. Accordingly he excused
himself and went out. His wife went
With him to the door and gave him a
farewell kiss. She turned aud saw
Choteau ~ her side with pistol in his
hand. Before she could move or call,
he fred, and the ball struck her, glanc-
ing across her forehead without pene-
irating her skull. Nina. although daZcd
~ this unexpected attack, screamed
loudly. and he- maid, who was in an adj
Joining room, ran TO the corridor. and
made the air ring with her cries for as
sistance. Charles was standing at the
slevator. waiting TO go down. He i'm
mediately ran TO his wife's help, and
with the assistance of a porter, who for
tunateIy happened to be near. seized
the maniac, for such he proved TO be,
and took him 10 the office, where he was
turned over to the police.
Meantime. the maid had sent for
physician, who, seeing the blood upon
Nina's face. believed her dead. as she
/ mad fallen into swOon. and lay quite
| still upon the floor. DIR. Whitney, who
lived at the hotel, responded 20 the sum
mons and dressed the wound, which he
pronounced me. ,ly superficial. adding
/ that after IL was healed il could he con
| ceaIed by dressing the hair skillfully.
Young Choteau was taken to the city
hall and was there examined by physi-
/ clan. who pronounced him insane. and
/ two days after the shooting he died
/ raying maniac.
/ Charles took his bride and started FOR
I Europe. and there they have lived ever
! since-San Francisco Argonaut.