A DOUBLE TRAGEDY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 307, 21 September 1908, Page 7

A DOUBLE TRAGEDY.

KENT MURDER. THE HUSBAND COMMITS SUICIDE, COULD NOT BEAR SUSPICION. (CY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.; London, September 18. Thoro has been a tragic sequol to tho murder of Mrs. Luard at Sovenoaks, Kent. This morning Major-Goneral Luard was found dead on the railway lino at West Farlcigh. Major-Goneral Luard, after spending the night at Barham Court, as tho ' guest of Colonel Warde, M.P., throw himself under a train. Ho left letters declaring that ho was unable longer to bear tho awful accusation that he had killed his wife. Several newspapers had hinted this suspicion, owing to tho absence of clues to tho murderer of Mrs. Luard. Tho General committed suicide early in tho morning, leaving tho house of Colonol AVarde before breakfast-time. HOUNDED TO DEATH. PUBLIC SYMPATHY TOO LATE. ANONYMOUS ACCUSERS. A SON'S SAD HOME-COMING. (Rec. September 20, 4.20 p.m.) London, September 19. Major-Goneral Luard had been tho recipient of many letters containing terrible insinuations. Ho wroto to Colonel Wardo denouncing his traducers in heart-broken terms. His only surviving son will land at Southampton from South Africa to-day.

Major-General Luard complained bitterly of the scandalous naturo of the questions addressed to him at the inquest. He had received dozens of anonymous letters directly accusing him of tho murder of Lis wifo. His friends advised him to treat them with contempt, but his last letter stated:— I am sick of these scandalous and lying reports. I cannot face my i son. I have decided to end my lifo. ■Deceased left several letters and a telegram, addressed to Colonel Warde, his housekeeper, and others, indicating his, intention to commit suicide, and directing that the body should be removed to Barham Court, Maidstone, Kent, the residence of Colonel Warde. When Major-General Luard committed suicide, tho driver, seeing him jump in front of tho train, tried to stop, but in vain. Intense public sympathy is now ovinced for tho unfortunate gentleman and his family. THE SON'S ORDEAL. VERDICT AT THE INQUEST. (Rcc. September 21, 0.40 a.m.) London, September 20. Colonel Warde wont to Southampton and broke the news to Captain Luard, who later attendod tho inquest on his father's body.

The jury's ' verdict was: —"Suicide while temporarily insane."

Mrs. Luard was killed shortly after parting from her husband at a wickot gate at Prankfield, a Kentish residence where they were staying. He was going to Gedden Grocn, a place some 2£ miles distant, to fetch golf clubs. Two bullots were extracted from the head of Mrs. Luard. Tho doctor was of opinion that slio was struck from behind with a bludgeon, and then shot as she lay stunned. The late Major-General Luard had served in many capacities in Morocco, Natal, and elsewhere. He devised a scheme for the re-armament of Gibraltar.