Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-28
Mrs. Jennie 1. May Accused
Of Attempting Murder.
BOND FIXED AT $4,000
SHOT LUCIEN a. coNEN, MEMBER
OF MARINE BAND.
Accuses Him Of Uttering a SANDER
Against Her-The Victim
in Hospital

Fond in the case of Mrs Jennie L. May,
charged with assault to kill on Lucien H.
Conen yesterday. was today fixed by AS
sistant District Attorney Ralph Given at
5000. Her attorneys went to work at
once to secure the bond, but up to a late
hour this afternoon they had not sue
ceeded. and the defendant was this after
noon committed to Jail, pending the out
come of Conen's injuries.
While he was walking along the street.
in view Of numerous passers, Lucien H.
Conen was shot down about O: 80 o'clock
last evening by Mrs. Jennie L. May. The
shooting was the elimination of q day of
excitement on the part of the woman on
account Of certain statements which Co
men 10 alleged to have made derogatory
to her character.
Origin Of the Trouble.
The acquaintance between Conen and
Mrs. May began, 1t is said, about a year
and q half ago. Conen Joined the Marine
member. and through visits to the latter's
home Conen met Mrs. May. A feeling of
friendship developed between the musician
and Mrs. May, and was matter of COM
ment. 1t Is said that May and his wife
had frequently Quarreled about the matter
This caused the husband and wife to be-
come estranged. and ill-feeiing was notice
able also between May and Conen.
Finally. 1t Is said. May threatened to Sc
cure divorce from the woman, to whom
he had been married for fifteen years, UNI
less she stopped her meetings with Conen.
She did not heed his warning, it is alleged.
and the husband continued to threaten.
he spoke to Lieut.. Santelmann, leader of
the Marine Band, about the matter. and .--e
latter promised that he would talk with
COnen ana enQeayOr to prevent further
trouble
When Lieut.. Santelmann talked with CO.
men. 1t is alleged, the latter made some
charges against the character OF Mrs. May
in explaining his relations with her. When
May went to the band leader after this con-
ference he learned of the statements which
Conen had made against his wife and was
furious. He told Conen at once, 1t is said,
that he would require proof of the charges
and stated that II they were shown to be
correct he would waste no time in securing
a divorce from his wife.
May told his wife yesterday morning Of
what he had learned from Lieut.. Santel-
mann and what he was determined to do.
She denied the charges. declaring them to
be entirely false. and that is believed to
have been the beginning of her anger to-
ward Conen. She brooded over the charges
during the day and became further incensed
against Conen.
About o'clock she went to drawer In
her bureau where her husband had kept a
revolver for some time and took 1t out
Then she went to the corner of 7th and E
streets southeast to walt for Conen who
she expected to pass that corner from a
concert in the afternoon. About o'clock
Conen came along, walking with his mother
and chatting with her.
Mrs. May Fires at Conen.
After Conen had passed her Mrs. May,
having held the revolver hidden in the folds
of her dress, rapidly walked up behind
.C,0nap nd oh jro TLa hull lot MI xha
mans back and penetrated his lung, and he
fell to the ground. The woman placed the
revolver in her dress and walked across the
street.
Elmer w. Norton Of 500 7th street, said
to have been an eyewitness is quoted as
saying that Mrs. May screamed after the
shot was fired demanding that she be
arrested. Mr.. Norton also alleges that
the weapon. turned quickly and struck
Mrs Mays arm. preventing the firing of a
second shot
Two boys. whose names are given as
Harry Biondt and Albert FOLSOM took
Mrs. May by the arms and conducted her
to point half square away, In the d.
rection of the police station, and she was
then formally taken in custody by Po-
liceman Morgan of the seventh precinct,
who at the time the shot was fired was
about block away. He had just pro-
ceeded to the corner of 7th and e streets
southeast. where he found the wounded
that Harry Burton, former policeman,
who was near the scene. had taken pos
session of Mrs Mays revolver. Burton
turned the weapon over to Policeman
Morgan.
Has Chance Of Recovery.
Conen was carried to his boarding place,
at 504 7th street. and later was taken to
Providence Hospital. where he was made
as comfortable as possible. 1t was stated
today that he was resting quietly. after
spending delirious night. and that he
has a chance for recovery 1t Is feared.
however that he will be a cripple for
life. as he is now partially paralyzed and
may remain SO.
Mrs May was conveyed to the fifth pre-
cinct station house. There she made a
statement to the officers. 1t is said, alleg-
ing that she had been slandered and had
shot Conen for that reason. She was later
sent to the house of detention. She has
been married for fifteen years and has
four children living. She refused today to
discuss the crime at all, saying that she
would talk only with her lawyers