BODIES IN A BUNGALOW.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 225, 20 September 1913, Page 17

BODIES IN A BUNGALOW.

ARTISTS DOUBLE MURDER AND SUICIDE. WELLKXOWX XOVEI.TST-S STOKT AT INQUEST.

A shocking domestic tragedy occurred at Great Missendeu. Bucks, last month, the bodies of an artist, Mr. F. n. Gallon (brother of Mr. Tom Gallon, the well-known novelist), his wife, and young child being found in a bungalow where the family had beeu residing for some time.

The three had been shot dead, and the discovery- was not made for nearly a week afterwards.

At the inquest the jury found that Mr. Gallon murdered bis wife and child, and committed suicide.

Mr. Tom Gallon, deceased's brother, said I it was ten years since he had seen him. Witness added:—l am 6orry to say he was' often in financial difficulties." It was quite I Impossible for him to know whether his ( brother had any other trouble. He 'was an impetuous and excitable man. For many j years past he had asked witness for assist-1 ance, and when that happened witness 'had invariably assisted him. DISCOVERY OF THE BODIES. ' Superintendent Bunker, of Chesham, said he went to the house about O.sV) on the Friday night, and found both the front and back doors locked. He broke the glass of one of the windows, and, making his entry, opened the back door. On going into the front room he saw the deceased woman lying on. the floor on her back. The only sign of any disturbance was that a chair had been overturned, and witness formed the opinion tbat the woman bad been doing needlework. She was fully dressed. The curtains were only half drawn.

Witness produced an apparently new revolver, of five chambers, and, continuing his evidence, he explained that on entering the bedroom he found the boy. His arms were folded over his chest as though he had I died In his sleep. In the same room wit- | ness found the man lying on his back. His ■ head was in a pool of blood, and the revolver, containing three spent and two live cartridges, was found close by. The door of the room was wide open, and he found traces of some letters having been burnt. He also said that a candle had been lighted on the table. Downstairs he found £1 1/2J in a drawer, together with- a silver watch, and in. the right-hand pocket of the coat on the man's body he found a note: "Sincere regrets to landlord; he has been most considerate." In another chest of drawers witness found several letters —some I were from Norway. One began, "My Dear ■ Mabel," and was signed, "Ada Oates."

The Coroner remarked that that apparently had reference to financial matters. He would only read one portion.

The Coroner then read tbe following extract: —"I know that Herbert has quarrelled with Tom, G. It Is more difficult for a ■man's pride to beg than it is for a woman's. Under the circumstances, could he not apply to T.G. He Is well off, and has no family, and he is better able to help than uncle, who has had such troubles and losses."

After brief deliberation In private, the jury returned a verdict that Mrs. Gallon and the boy, Lawrence, were murdered by Frederick Herbert Gallon on the 2Sth of July, a_d that the said Frederick Herbert Gallon feloniously killed himself.

It is stated that Mrs. Gallon was a very kind woman. At one time she made a personal call every day for three months at ■the house of a neighbour whose child was ill.'