The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1915-04-14
KILLED HIS WIFE
AS CALL OF DUTY
And Was Acquitted By
COurt-Martial.
She REFUSED TO LEAVE HIM
And French Officer In War
Shot Her To Preserve
His Honor.
APPLAUDs VERDICT

| AUDIENCE APPLAUDS VERDICT
Paris, April lois intense and
deepseated love of his wife a draw
back to a man in his career? Is a
man deeply loved by his wife, justi-
fed in placing his duties above her
claims as his mate? Does love of
ones country constitute a higher
call to man than the sanctity and
honor of his family?
These fundamentally human ques-
tions were answered to-day by the
Paris court-martial when Capt. Jean
Herail was tried for shooting his
wife dead. Immediately behind the
battle front, because she refused to
leave him to perform his military
duties alone.
Stern visaged army officers, act
ing as judges, said man must put
his duty before all and by their YER
dict of acQuittal decided that an Of
ficer could in the most tragic exl
tremes cut all sentimental ties when
such in the slightest degree inter
fered with the performance of his
duty to his country in an hour of
peril.
Capt. Herail ten years ago we'd
ded a beautiful and gifted Paris
ienne, belonging to a distinguished
family. One of her brothers was
the winner of a Nobel prize for
physics; another is a prominent
lawyer. Herail is the son of one of
the leading magistrates of the re-
public.
The marriage was the climax of
romantic courtship, during which
Capt. Herail followed his bride
through Europe. AS young So
ciety debutante she was a perfect
specimen of French femininity-
tail and slender, with mass of tit
ian hair and large blue eyes. She
was gifted with an artistic temper
ament. great will power, and an i'm
posing personality. She was the
most sought-after belle of Paris So
ciety in 1904, and her wedding with
Capt. Herail was nationally popular.
He as a dashing cavalry officer, rap
idly rising to distinction, made in
the popular mind an ideal mate for
her. Both were wealthy and popu-
lar in society and the young couple
began life together with every adj
vantage of rank, beauty and for
tune.
Events proved that their idyl
was destined to end in grim tragedy
within the sound of the invaders
guns. For ten years there was per-
feet happiness in their home. They
were never to be seen out of one
another's company; his wife even ac-
companied Herail to maneuvers. But
all the time his wife's great love
was proving more a curse than a
blessing. His fellow officers were
amazed at the depths of his devotion
to the woman.
To-day, racked continually by
heartrending sobs, Herail told how
he had sacrificed everything to
please his too loving wife.
"She adored the military life."
he said. but once when | was go
ing to maneuvers without her, she
locked>me in a room so should no,
leave her. even resigned my
commission but the glamour of the
uniform induced her to prevail on
me to alter my decision.
when the war broke out. she
consented to let me go. but as soon
as my Hussar regiment. after severe
fighting in Belgium and in Northern
France, was sent to Complegne.
near Paris. for a rest. she rushed to
my side, ignoring utterly Gen. Jof-
fre's strict orders that no woman
must enter the army zone.
my Colonel reminded me of his
induction Immediately and for sew
eral days and nights l did nothing
but implore my unfortunate wife to
return to our three children in Par
is. My entreaties We're in vain.
1T is my natural right to remain
by your side. dear. Nothing win !
induce me to leave YOU she repeat /
eddy said.
when the Colonel again SUM-
moned me TO obey our commanders !
orcev, used my wife's argument as