Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-06
PUT BULLET IN HIS BRAIN
Suicide of Joseph Bonnet, the PrOpfie-
tor Of a DyeinS Establishment. .
DIED ON THE WAY 70 HOSPITAL
Charged With Being Guilty OF
Misconduct.
PROBABLY FEARED TIE CONSEQUENCES

tlUpbepn iJUDnbtt WIN lOF thS punl Sudi
has conducted dyeing establishment
at No. . East Seventh street, shot him
self through the head at 1l,35 o'clock
d, IN. Friday, and died a few inmates
bhforo I2 o clock. while he was being
tskap TO the Delaware Hospital in the
f18&rol wagon. The body was taken TO
7lig fnprgue, where IL was given over to
tho care Of Deputy Cornner Chandler.
Bonnet was u foreigner, presumably
"a Frenchman, but he mad been living
IN this country for several years. He
was about 30 years OF age. 1t is thought
that he had wife and several children
living in France, and those who knew
him wero of the opinion that his family
is wealthy. Aucording to the state
ment OF friend, be received money
several times flom his wife.
Mrs. Cora a. Taylor Of No. 6lS
Windsor street, wife of Lawrence q.
Taylor, bartender at Edward j. Newell's
8aluoD, No. Eaat Seventh street. two
doors from Bonnet's establishment, had
beon wofking for Bonnet for several
months. and recently Bonnet had mani
tested an inclination to show affection
for Mrs. Taylor. She is prepoHsess-
ing young woman and attractive. She
resented bis actions, which. he evil
IDENTIFY did not like very much.
On Friday Mrs. Taylor, according
TO her own statement, was sitting on u
chair in the room In the rear Of the
store, at work on a coat which had
been left by a customer, Bonnet, who
appeared to have no particular business
on hand at the time, sanntered back
from the front room and informed Mrs.
Taylor that he loved her, and ex-
pressed regret that 6he loved her hus-
band. intimating that tbs affection be-
tween Mrs. Taylor and her husband
was barrier to his ambition. Mrs.
Taylor was very much surprised at the
nature Of the language used, brt before
she had an opportunity to escape Bonnet
caught hold of her. In an instant she
broke away from him and started for
the front room, intending to run out
the door and inform her husband, who
was then at work in Newell's saloon.
: Bonnet realized at once that be had
committeta grays offenGe, and, being
fearful OF the Consequences, made a
break for the door leading to the front
room, as soon as Mrs. Taylor bad broken
nway from him. He reached the door
frat, and % soon as he had stepped into
the front rotini, which Is dsBds US tbd
Office aud business room, he drew from
his pocket IS -calibre A American doubls
action revolver, aud, placing it to his
right temple, pulled the trigger. The
bullet passed through the head, coming
out at the left temple and lodging in
the wall at the west side of the room,
about three feet from the floor. 1t
struck the top OF desk, which was
standing against the wall and glanced
upward before reaching the wall. II
was badly flattened, and was found
Afterward fast in the wall. II was re.
moved by Police Captain Chambors.
As soon as the shot was fired Bonnet
fell heavily to the floor. He waA
stretched out full length,A and Mrs.
Taylor, who was behind hin and at
tempting to get away from where be
had approached her, jumped over Bon
nets dying body. She run TO the front
dour and iRto Newell's saloon, where
she informed her husband what had
happened. Mr. Taylor, and others who
were in the vicinity. at once went to
Bonnet's place.
Tho police were Immediately notified,
and Capt. Chambers, who was at the
stationhouse. ran to the place as soon
aa possible. Several other officers, in-
Guiding Sergeant Evans Officers Nc
tiillin and Ford and Detectives MoVBy
auu Witsil, were soon at the scene Of
The shooting. .s.
. G When tina oiiicera entered Bonnpt'e
co,ie they found him lying on the floor
90 IA he had fallen. his head and
RIVERS covered with blood. making
- 9, (ition almost impossible, and the
H.. s,{as lying in pOul of blood nearly
~ ~ ut in diameter. showing that the
Wv ~ blood had been very rapid after
piosio oting. A wall showcase, in the
~, ,luuse the room, near where Bonnet
Nv, MecgaG in bad shape. The glass in
ne ii2 the doors was broken and the
heiu aYd been partly knocked down.
NGhpolice made hurried examina-
~ And it was found that the man was
iiang. On account of being go much
WIod about the face and head it was
Impossible to tell at that time the ex
tent of the injuries and it was deemed
I wise to hasten him Off to the hospital,
although it was not thought that be
would live. When the patrol wagon
reached tha hospital, DR.. f. Q. Joyce,
who was there. made an examination
Nand pronounced the man dead. He wat
then turned over to Deputy Coroner
Ghandlor
Since ths middle of last summer hon
let had been occupying q room al
James 6awden's lodginghouse, at the
southwest corner OF seventh and King
streets. He had conducted himself il
proper manner, according to Mr..
Rwdlon, who was seen after the shuot
81, and gave no iniimation OF having
llf.destruction in mind.
It is known. however, that Bonnet
IA threatened TO kill himself, and hii
lions were not surprising to somi
oAo had known him. Lawrence g,
s,Ilor, husband of the young womaI
IA worked in Bonnet's establishment
Md after the shooting that Bonne
~ been at his residence. No. GIL
}Sdsor street. recently, and asked fo
rlpan of money, which be desired t.
81 in his business. He said at th
Ime If he was not successful in oh
aiming the necessary money he woul'
le forced to commit suicide. Other
ad heard him make similar rorark
Although Bonnet had been iu tn
,ity for about two years, he was no
very we'll known here. Francis Altar
of No. 1896 French street, foreman Q
the morocco factory ut the William .
Y Clerk Co., Ninth and Walnut streets
was a personal friend, however, and ha
known Bonnet in France. He ais
knew his family there. According
Mr.. Allard, Bonnet hid wife and tH