The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1880-09-17 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

SHOOTING A WIFE AND HER FRENCHMAN. In the Melbourne Opera-house on Saturday night, John James M'Gregor Greer shot his wife (Annice Greer) and Louis Soudry, who was sitting with her, and then attempted to commit suicide. The work which was being performed 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 seats. Soudry also visited the same division with some friends, and sat further to the right. Nothing transpired to attract special attention towards either 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 exsitedly behind the seats, proceeded to the bar b.yond the vestibule. He there had something to drink, and returned to the theatre; but in the meantime Mondry joined Mrs Greer and entered into conversation with her. When the husband saw the change which had taken place in his absence he became palpab: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 Soudry were seated, and to scsn them closely. Almost immediately afterwards he returned in the direction of his seat, but when near a narrow passage close by he stopped behind them, drew a revolving pistol from his pocket and fired, first at Soud, y, 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 exception of a very few, none seemed to know the cause of the sudden outbreak. Those gentlemen who were near the assassin, when they became aware of his death-dealing intention, seized him, but before he was disarmed he discharged the contents of anther chamber of the revolver in the air, and a fourth into his right ear, lie staggered and fell, and was then laid on the floor 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 blood, and they were lying helpless upon the bench. On the way to the hospital, Greer asked Mr. Thompson, who was with him, if he had killed his wife and Soudry, and particularly inquired if he had succeeded in his attempt upon his wife. Greer and his wife and Soudry 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. When questioned about Soudry, Mrs. Greer replied, "I will live with him as his mistress, and would like to see who would dare prevent me from doing so." She added "My husband is a coward ; why does he not duel him? Soudry wants to tight him." In reply to another question, she said that she hated her husband. When asked why he committed the deed, Greer said that when he arrived home on Saturday afternoon his wife said that she had had improper intimacy with Soudry every afternoon since she had been in Melbourne at the United Service Club Hotel, in Carlton; that at nights on board ship she used to leave her cabin and sleep with Semidry; that she had also done so at Capetown ; and she coneluded by telling her husband to do his best. Greer is a clerk by occupation. and Semidry is a commissioner from the French Republic, charged 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 would be called a beautiful woman, nevertheless possesses attractions suffic ent to justify her being described as good-looking, and the general expression of her face and figure is engaging. She is of a French parentage, but was borne in England, and was married to Greer three years ago at Bristol. A male infant, seventeen months old, who is the only issue of the union, was brought by them to the colony. Greer is 27 years of age, and is the son of a Presbyterian clergyman residing at Anahilt, Hillsborough, Co. Down, Ireland. Mrs. Greer and M. Soudry are recoveries, butlitfr. Greer has succumbed to his self-inflicted injury. M. Soudry has resigned his position on the French Commission of the Exhidition.