The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1907-03-29
Visitor to Charleston Attempts
to Kill Self and Wife.
SAID TO Be INSANE.
IL. L. Bonnoitt, Of Darlington, Be-
coming, 1t Is Supposed, Suddenly
Insane, Attempts to Kill Himself
and When Prevented Shoots His
Wife, q Bride OF n Few Months.
TO Be Sent To The Asylum.

Az oC ocIlJ Inc ASyINnl.
Becoming Is it believed, suddenly
insane Thursday afternoon, II. l..
Bonnitt, Of Darlington, who was Wis
iting at the residence Mrs. Laura U.
Hertz, No. "a Rutlcdge avenue, Char
leston, attempted to kill himself and
"hen his wife, bride Of few
months, endeavored to prevent him
IRON committing the crime, he turn
ed saVagely upon her and fired his
pistol, inlicting a 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
firmary and at late hour Thursday
night 1t was said that there was lit
tie hopes Of her recovery. Bonnitt
was 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 phys-
clans and was pronounced insane
and papers committing Bonnitt to
the Insane Asylum were obtained
from Judge of Probate Judge Geo.
d. Bryan, Solicitor Jervey consent!ng
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 ,
years ago he was discharged fro
the asylum, apparently cured, and
since that time has been in good
health.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bonnitt have been
living in Darlington and came tc
Charleston Thursday to pay visit
to Mrs. Hertz who is a sister-in-law
of Mr.. Bonnitt. About three o'clocr
Mrs. Bonnitt was heard to screan
and Mr.. Matthew Hertz, who fortn-
nately was in the house at the time
rushed to the room in which we, q
Mr.. and Mrs. Bonnitt, and there he
found that Mr.. Bonnitt was holding
pistol to his wifes head. Mr.. Hera
Immediately grappled with Bonnit
who, however, fired the pistol tho
bullet taking effect In his wife's side
A tussle then ensued between the
men for the possession of the pistc
which was finally taken away frcn,
Bonnitt by main force,
In the meantime help was suIi;~
moned from the Police Station ANA
the ambulance was telephoncd for
While waiting for the patrol wagon
Bonnitt plunged a knife in his
breast, but only inflicted sigh'
wound. He was taken to the police
station in the patrol wagon, offcrN"
no resistance, and was locked on the
charge Of aggravated assault and bat
terry, but later he was removed TO
the Roper Hospital and confined to
the insane ward,
Mrs. Bonnitt was taken to the Riv
erside Intinmary, where an opera
tion was performed in the afternoon
in the hope that her life would be
saved. The bullet was recovered, hut
it was ascrtaned that an intestine
was perforated and little hope Is
held for her recovery
After the shooting Bonnitt became
very quiet and offered no resistance
to the officers. He refused to say
anything about the shooting. 1t was
stated however, that in the room
with his wife he attempted to COM
mitt suicide and his wife had pre-
vented him, which seemed to ang"r
him, causing him to place Il pistol
to her head.
The whole affair is sincerely re-
GREETED, as the family Is prominent
and the members have many friends
Mrs. Bonnitt is the daughter Of
Mr.. Caleb Bass, OF Darlington. and
is the second wife Of Mr. Bonnitt.
They were married about A months
ago.