Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1880-09-17 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

SHOOTING A WIFE AND HER FRENCHMAN. In the Melbourne Opera-home on Saturday night, John Janes leGregor Greer shot his wife (Annioe fts.) and Leads Sondry, who was sitting with her, and then attempted to commit suicide. The work which was being rimmed when the occurrence amazed the audience was The Huguenots" Before the commencement of the piece Greer and his wife entered the dress circle and took seat& Sondry also visited the same division with some friends, and sat further to the right Nothing transpired be attract special attention towards ether of the three. Shortly before the termination of the fourth act Greer, who was, however, suffering from great perturbation of mind, left his seat, and, after walking very excitedly behind the seats, proceeded to the bar beyond the vestibule. He there had something to drink, and returned to the theatre; but in the meantime Soudry joined Mrs. Greer and entered into conversation with her. When the husband saw the change which had taken place In his absence he became palpably agitated. The curtain descended on the fourth act at about a quarter past ten o'clock. Greer was seen to go to the opposite side of the circle to that upon which his wife and Soudry were seated,- and to man them closely. Almost immediately afterwards he returned in the direction of his seat, but when near a narrow peerage close by he stopped behind them, drew a revolving pistol from Ins' pocket and fired, first at Soudry, who had slightly turned, and was almost facing him, and then at his wife. The entire assemblage seemed to arise simultaneously. Shrieks denoted the trepidation of the females, and shouts the consternation of the men, for, with the excepthee of • very few, none seemed to know the came of the madden outbreak. Those gentlemen who were NW the meeseha, when they became aware of his deathelealing ledediszariatio seised him, but before he was disarmed bia the contents of another chamber of the revolver in air, and a fourth into his right ear. He sieggered and fell, and was then laid on the door nearer the door. His victims were both severely hurt, the woman being struck under the left ear, and the man in the right amik. They were attended to as soon as the Ant tumult had maned away. The plaoe where they sat was bagatiered with bleed, and they were 1 Naples upon the bench. On the way to the hospital, Greer asked Mr. Thom who was with him, if he had killed his wife and Sondry, and partioulari.y inquired if he had succeeded in his attempt upon his Wife. Greer and his wife and Soudry had been from England in the steamer °aromas, and an passengers intimacy was struck up between the two latter, which was not approved by the husband. When questioned about Mrs. Greer replied, "I will live with him as s mishear, and would like to see who would dare prevent me hom doing so." She added "My husband is a eoward ; why does he not duel him? Soudry wants to fight him." In reply to another question, she said that she hated her husband. When &dud why he committed the dead, Greer said that when he arrived home on Saturday afternoon his wife said that she had had Improper intimacy with Soudry every afternoon linos she had been in Melbourne at the United Service Club Hotel, in Carlton; that at Medi on board ship she used to leave her cabin end sleep with Soudry; that she had also done so at Capetown ; and she concluded by telling her husband to do his best. Greer is clerk by occupation. and Soudry is • commissioner from the French Reenblic, charged with the representation of that nation at the forthcoming International Exhibition. The former is • well built man, of prepossessing appearmos, and, as described by those who have known him since his ma-rival, is of exceedingly gentlemanaodeneaour, and most tam in habits. His wife, not what would be a beautiful womaa, nevertheless attractions sullicent to justify her Cemreged as good-looking, and the general expressitinoll her five and figure is ening. She is of a French parentage, teat was borne in land, and was married to years ago .at Brisk) A male infant, seventeen menthe old, who is the only taste of the union, was brought by them to the oolony. Greens 27 years of age, and is the son of a Presbyterian clergyman reeding at Anahilt, Hillsborough, Co. Down, Ireland. Mrs. Greer and M. Soudry are recovering, but Mr. Greer has succumbed to his self-inflicted injury. M. Soudry has resigned his position on the French Commission of the Zthidition.