The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette. — 1880-09-21 (Dorchester, Dorset, England)

SHOOTING A WIFE AND HER FRENCHMAN. In the Melbourne Opera-house on Saturday night, John James WOregor Greer shot his wife (Annie. (heir) and Louis Soudry, who was sitting with her, and then attetupto to commit suicide The work which was being performed when the occurrence amazed the audience was " The Huguenota" Before the comrnenoem-nt of the piece Greer and his wife entered the dress circle and took seats. Soudry also visited the same division with some friends, and sat further to the right. Nothing transtterill to attract special attention towards either of the Shortly before the termination of the fourth act Greer, who was, however, suffering from great perturbation of mind, left his seat, an I. after walking very ex... Redly behind the seats, proceeded to the bar b-yond the vestibule. He there had something to drink, and returned to the theatre; lout in the meantime Soudry Joined Mrs. Greer and entered into conversation with her. When the husband saw the change which had taken plane in his absence he became Milne', y 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 Sundry were mated, and to vein them closey. Almost inunediately afterwards he returned in the direction of his seat, but when near • narrow passage close by he stopped behind them, drew a revolving pistol from his pocket and fired. Mat at Sondry, 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 'bouts the consternation of the men, for, with the exception of a very few, none seemed to know the cause of tho sudden outbreak Those gentlemen who were near the assassin, when they became aware of his death-dealing intentl os, seised him, but before he was disarmed he discharged the contents of an..ther chamber of the revolver in air, and a fourth into his right ear. He ategmred 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 cheek. They were attended to as soon as the first tumult had Passed away. The place where they sat was bespattered with bloat, and they were lying helpless upon the bench. On the way to the hospital, (hoer asked Mr. Thompson. who was with him, if he had killed his wife end Suudry, and particularly in mired if he had succeede i in his attempt upon his wife. Greer and his wife and Sundry had been passengers from England in the steamer Garonne, and an intimacy was struck up between the two latter, which was not approved by the husband. Wlnsu questioned about Soudry, Mrs. Greer replied, I will live with him as his mistress, and would like to see who would dare prevent me front doing so." She added "My husband lea coward ; why does he not duel him Soudry wants to light him." In reply to another question, she said that she hated her husband. When asked why he committed the deed. Greer said that when be arrived borne on Saturday afternoon his wife said that she I had had improper intimacy with Soudry every afternoon since she hat beee in Me eurne at the United Service Club Hotel, in Canton; that at nights on board 1 ship she iised to leave her cabin an.l sleep with Smulry ; ' that she had alio done en at Capetown ; and she concluded by telling her husband to do his best. Greer is a clerk by occupation, and &miry is a commissioner from the French Reoublic charge.? with the representation of that nation at the forthcoming International Exhibition. The former is a well built man, of prepossessing appearance, and, as described by those who have known him since his arrival, is of exceedingly gentlemanly demeanour, and most temperate in habits. His wife, though not what woul I be called a beautiful woman, nevertheless attractions someent to justify her being Seelri "bed as good-looking, and the geoeral expression of her face and figure is engaging. She is of • French parentage, but was borne in England, and was married to Greer three years ago at Bristol. A male infant, 'eventeen months old, who is the only issue of the union, was brought by them to the colony. Greer is W years of age, and is the son of a Presbyterian clergyman residing at Anahilt. Hillsborough„ Co. Down, Ireland. Mrs. Greer and U Soudry are recovering, but Mr. Greer has succumbed to his self-inflicted injury. M. Sundry has resigned his position on the French Commission of the Itxhiditien.