Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1897-08-27

LANDED In MAD HOUSE.
Deacon's Eccentricities at Last Pro-
nounced Dangerous.

BOSTON, Mass Aug. .-2i-Edward Parker
Deacon, the descendant OF an old and once
distinguished family OF this city: the man
who ON Feb. II. 1892, killed NJ. Emile Abelle
in Mrs. Deacons apartments at Cannes,
France; the man whose exploits and actions
have since been the talk Of society in
France. England and America, and
have created considerable public inter-
est has been committed TO the Mclean hos
pital at Waverley. He has for years been
considered more or less ''off his balance"
Deacon who inherited great wealth (Which
was, however, left in trust for him), has
spent most of his life abroad. He has stepped
only once out of the obscurity of riches.
This was in February, 1892, when he shot NJ.
Abeille at Cannes, France, for holding doubt
full relations with Mrs. Deacon. His
grandfather, Peter Deacon, was an old
time Boston merchant, and his father.
Edward Deacon, was the owner OF
of the famous old "Deacon House. which
stood on the family estate on Washington
street, between Concord and Worcester
streets, where the family lived for many
years. At present there are but two living
members of the Deacon family, Edward
Parker Deacon and his bachelor brother,
Harleston A. Deacon, who spends a great
deal of his time abroad. Mrs. Deacon is a
daughter of the late Admiral Baldwin of
beauty, and said to be very wealthy in
her own right. She is a little more than 81
years of age, and was, during her residence in
Newport, one of the leading society bellies
there. Her father entertained President
Arthur during his visit to Newport shortly
after his succession to the presidency, the
reception being attended by all the best
families in the place. She married Mr..
Deacon. who is IL years her senior in New
,,it oh nd
children have been born to them. They
lived in Paris until the Abeile tragedy, Mr..
Deacon being u member of a banking house
in that city. They paid frequent visits to the
United States during the time they have lived
in Europe, and in 1891 had a house at
Newport. r. l., where they entertained in
handsome style The shooting of NJ. Emile
Abeille on Feb. II. 1892, at the Hotel Splen
dide, Cannes. France, grew out OF long
standing conditions, which aroused the
jealousy of the husband. eliminating on
the day in question in a scene where Abeille
had carried his attentions too far and
was killed in Mrs. Deacons apartments.
Mr.. Deacon made a fair cavalry record
during the war and was wounded. He
was an awkward man. of no great dstinc
ton of manner. but very wealthy, and had
the entree into the best society In spite of
his handicaps as suitor, he captured the
Newport. She was the only daughter of
Rear Admiral Charles II. Baldwin, U. $. N,
then considered the wealthiest officer in our
navy. Miss Baldwin was an acknowledged
belle of the most exclusive circle, and had
the pick of the fashionable set to choose from.
Her choice of Deacon was vehemently
opposed by her father and stepmother
but to no purpose. She persisted in what
was apparently a love match, and the mar
riage was quietly celebrated. 1t was an un-
happy union from the first, not all the efforts
ofthe family serving to make things pleasant.
and it was even said then that the newly
married husband showed indications of in
sanity. The account of the shooting at
Cannes was the first public intlmation of
serious trouble. Itappeared then that Abeille
had been friend of the family for long
time. Shortly before the tragedy Mr..
Deacon is said to have received an
anonymous letter from Il jealous woman.
telling him that if he returned suddenly
to the hotel on II certain date he would find
evidence of unfaithfulness. He acted on
the hint. and, breaking open the door of his
wife's apartments, found her and Abeille in
a compromising situation, whereupon he
shot Abeille dead Mr.. Deacon had the
sympathy of the public generally, and after
the preliminary examination bv the magis-
trate was released on bail He was subse-
quently tried and acquitted under pro-
vision in the French law for homicides
deemed justiiabe. At one time he had all
of the children in his custody, but by agree
ment with his wife he gave her the charge of
two of them. At the present time three of
the children are in France with the mother
and one of them is in private school in
this country.