THE ASSAILANTS STRANGE EPISTLE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 12015, 17 October 1904, Page 7

THE ASSAILANTS STRANGE EPISTLE.

(SKCIAL TO "THE TRESS.") GORE, October 15. The inquest on Frank Erwin, who shot Mrs Thornton at Waikaia on Tuesday, and afterwards committed suicide, disclosed no fresh particulars of the tragedy beyond those already supplied. Deceased, when found, had a revolver, loaded in all chambers, near hia left hand, and another, fully loaded, in his pocket. Deceased left a diary with tlie following entry:—"God! It was hard to kill a woman, but I do not consider I killed a woman, but a viper. Gaze on your work, you Christian people; contemplate the scene. I want the Rev. Mr Gow to draw my money nnd send it to John Bresenhan, Woodlawn, Ontario, Canada, the draft made payable in Amprior, Ontario, keeping out the proper expenses; . I did not want to kill her, but to make her suffer, and hopo she won't die. I don't blame anyone elsa, though they were in the dirty, treacherous plot. Tine men were cowardly. I thought they would mob roe, so I hurried away to write this.' I was going to pot Jack Stewart last night, and let Mrs Thornton go. I wish I had, but she had no mercy, so why should I? Send my watch with the noney. Send no details—only dead. My God' That I should be driven to this out of revenge." The jury returned a verdict of suicide while temporarily insane. Mrs Thornton was removed to the Invercargill Hospital yesterday, and, although.her condition is precarious, hopes are entertained for her ultimate recovery