The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1907-03-27
Visitor to Charleston Attempts
to Kill Self and Wife.
SAID TO Be INSANE.
r. Z. Bonnoitt, Of Darlington, Be-
coming, It Is Supposed, Suddenly
Insane, Attempts to Kill Himself
and When Prevented Shoots His
Wife, q Bride Of a Few Months.
To Be Sent To The Asylum.

Becoming is it believed, suddenly
insane Thursday afternoon, r. l.
Bonnitt, Of Darlington, who was Wis
iting at the residence Mrs. Laura e
Hertz, No. 34 Rutledge avenue, Char.
lesion, attempted to kill himself and
when his wife, bride of a few
months, endeayored to prevent him
from committing the crime, he turn
ed savagely upon her and fred his
pistol, inflicting wound which will
in all probability, prove fatal.
a few moments later Bonnitt at
tempted again to commit suicide
with knife, but was prevented and
only inflicted upon himself slight
wound. Mrs Bonnitt was imme-
diately removed to the Riverside IN
d-mary and at late hour Thursday
night it was said that there was lit
tie hopes Of her recovery. Bonnitt
vas arrested and taken to the police
station, but was later removed to the
Roper Hospital, where he was held
under guard.
The man was examined by physi-
clans and was pronounced insane
and papers committing Bonnitt to
the Insane Asylum we're obtained
from Judge Of Probate Judge Geo.
D. Bryan, Solicitor Jervey consentlng
and Bonnitt was taken to Columbia
on the early train Friday morning.
The solicitor has waived the right
to prosecute Bonnitt and the whole
matter is settled.
The News and Courier says the
only assignable reason for the at
tack of Bonnitt on his wife is that
he became temporarily insane Some
years ago he was an inmate OF the
Insane Asylum at Columbia, his con-
dition being caused, it is said. by a
blow on the head, resulting IN a
blood clot on the brain. About II
years ago he was discharged from
the asylum, apparently cured, and
since that time has been IN good
health.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bonnitt have been
living in Darlington and came to
Charleston Thrrsda" to pay visit
to Mrs. Hertz, who is sister-!2-laW
Of Mr. Bonniti. About three o clock
Mrs. Bonnit+ was heard to scream
and Mr. Matthew Hertz, who fortu-
nately was in the house at the time,
rushed to the room IN which were
Mr.. and Mrs. Bonnitt, and there he
found that Mr. Bonnitt was holding
a pistol to his wife's head. Mr.. Hertz
Immediately grappled with Bcnnitt,
who, however, fred the pistol. the
bullet taking effect in his wlfes SIDE.
A tussle then ensued between the
men for the possession of the pistol,
which was finally taken away from
Bonnitt by main force,
In the meantime help was sum
noned from the Police Station and
the ambulance was telephoned for'
While waiting for the patrol wagon
Bonnitt plunged knife in his
beast, but only inflicted slight
wound. He was taken to the police
station in the patrol wagon, offering
no resistance, and was locked on the
charge Of aggravated assault and oa'
tery. but later he was removed tc
the Roper Hospital and confined te
the insane ward.
Mrs. Bonnitt was taken to the Rlv'
erside Infnmary, where an opera
ton was performed in the afternoon
saved. The bullet was recovered, but
It was ascrtained that an intestine
was perforated and little hope l:
held for her recovery
After the shooting Bonnitt became
very quiet and offered no resistance
10 the officers. He refused to sa!
ANYTHING about the shooting. It wa
stated. however, that in the room
with his wife he attempted to com
NIT suicide and his wife had pre-
vented him, which seemed to ange
him. causing him to place a plsto
to her head. -
The whole affair is sincerely re
retted, as the family is prominen
and the mem bers have many 1rleno
Mrs. Bonnitt is the daughter o
Mr. Caleb Bass, Of Darlington. an
is the second wife Of Mr.. Bonnlt'
They were married about month
ago.