SAVED BY LEATHER BELT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 209, 2 September 1911, Page 17

SAVED BY LEATHER BELT.

TURNS ASIDE BtH2£T FIRED BY A REJECTED SUITOR. ABSAUiANrS SUICIDE. How Mrs. Kate Baker, m Trrobridge 'Wells widow, was sared from a tragic death by her thick leather belt, which made a ballet glance aside, was related at the inquest on Monday, July 17, on the man -who fired at her. Thla man was Arthur Alfred Tutu twenty-four, of Christclroreii-aveime, who, after shooting at her, shot himself through the heart. It was a tragedy of unreciprocated love and jealousy. At the Inqnest Mrs. Baker stated that Tutt and hereelf were employed In the same business, and were on friendly terms, but nothing more. The previous Friday evening they met in Norman-road, and Tntt remarked, "You have been out," to which she replied, "Yes, so have yon, haven't yon?"

She then turned to go away, and immediately beard a report and felt the blow of a bullet, which cat a hole In her coat, struck her leather waist belt, and was turned aside, causing merely a bruise on her back. On facing Tutt she saw he was about to shoot at himself, and implored him not to do so. He llred twice at his chest, and then ran down the road, while she walked across the street to her home. She was unab'c to account for his action. As Tutt did not return home as usual on Friday evening, his mother sat up for blm, and at four o'clock the next morning her anxiety led her to go out to imtke Inquiries about him. It was then that she heard of his fate. WANTED TO MARBY HBB. The Jury's verdict was that Tutt committed suicide whilst of unsound mind. Tutt was the son of respectable parents, his father being a coachman and wellknown in Tunbridge Wells. When he left school, at the age of fourteen, he entered the employment of Mr. H. T Toby, a yeast merchant, of Rochester, and was placed at his branch business at Norman-road, Tunbridge Wells. At that time Mr. Baker was the manager, and when he died six years ago Mrs. Baker, who had been left with three young children, continued as manageress. Tutt, who was then in his nineteenth year, was made manager and traveller. Mr. Baker had been dead only abont a year when young Tutt proposed marriage to Mrs. Baker. Mrs. Baker, however, declined the proposal. They continued, bowever, on friendly terms, Tutt taking bis meals with Mrs. Baker and her family. The children were greatly attached to hlrn. He would often stay in the bouse during the evening with the children whilst Mrs. Baker went out. On the d:.y of the tragedy he went to a cricket match, but he returned to the shop, complaining- of feeling unwell and of the heat. After tea he went out, and, it if stated, spent the remainder of the evening I in public-houses.