ASYLUM TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 865, 11 July 1910, Page 7

ASYLUM TRAGEDY

EXTRAORDINARY LETTERS. "THE WORLD IS TOO DARK AND DREARY." EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. (By Telegraph-Press Association.) Auckland, July 9. The details surrounding the shocking tragedy enacted at the Mental Hospital at Avondale on Thursday afternoon, and the circumstances "of the death of the two victims, Ellen Madelene Webster and Captain Herbert Jones, wore investigated by the City Coroner (Mr. Thomas Gresham) and a jury of sis at the institution to-day. Dr. Boattie, medical superintendent of the Arondalc institution, stated that so far as ho knew Mrs. Webster was the wife of one George Webster, who was supposed to bo dead. Witness did not know of his own knowledge if her name was Webster, and did not think her husband was ever in New Zealand. So far as he could judge, all steps were taken in conversation with Mrs. Webster and Jones to prevent witness from finding out who Webster was or where lie lived. The commitment papers stated Webster to bo residing at Omaha, but that was apparently wrong. Witness produced the following letter, undated, written by Jones, and left in his bag, addressed to the doctor: — "My Dear Doctor, —On behalf of Mrs. Webster, I thank you and all for the consideration and great kindness shown her, especially by the head matron. I ask you to try and look over what I liavo done, and think it was for the best. I alono am responsible. Neither yourself nor assistants are in any way to blame. It is destiny, and liad to bo done. Treat the twolegged, inquisitive insect with the contempt due to such beings. "P.S.—Mrs. Webster tell 3 me . she has destroyed all letters of her late husband. I know she has not heard from him for over two years. More I cannot tell you." Tho letter was merely signed "Her" bort." But tho witness identified the writing as that of tho deceased. Sistef of Lionel Terry. Mrs. Webster was a sister of Lionel' Terry, and daughter of one who took the name of Terry, but whose correct name was De Thierry. Sho was born in Kent, and if married the ceremony was performed in South Africa, probably not less than seven years ago. She had been in New Zeiilaud about two years and had three children, the eldest six years, and the youngest a little over twelve months old.

Continuing, Dr. Beattie stated that Jones, in the course of his various visits, never showed signs of insanity, though ho had eccentricities, and oa three occaeiona appeared at the- institution very much the worse of liquor. Hβ was prohibited from seeing Mrs. Webster on these- occasions. Though witness had frequently conversed with Jones, he certainly noticed nothing ii? his conduct or conversation to lead the doctor to believe he was snicidal or homicidal, or in any way mentally affected. Witness considered him Kano. After Mrs. Webster had been committed to the hospital, continued Dr. Beattie, Jones told him she had been deserted by her husband and he (Jones) had taken compassion on her and her children, and had them installed in ha own home, growing so fond _of them that he would not part with them.

Assistant-Matron's Statement. Violet Campbell, assistant-matron, who was in a room off the corridor whore the two deceased v.ere talking on. Thursday afternoon, said she heard *• thud as* of someone falling. Witness instantly rushed out, and saw .alr:>. Webster lying flat on her baclc, ana Jones kneeling at her head. Slid thought Mrs. Webster had taken a in,, and loosened her .clothing. In ti;emeantime Jones fell across the w;.-:iian S body. Witness then judged that bath were suffering from poison, and summoned ]>i. M'Kflvo.y. Jones at tiul:i::« showed mental derangement. Dr. Jl'Kfilvey, assistant. r.:<<. -\\ superintendent, described iindin;; :e two deceased in the corridor, !yu.;: -a their backs on thn iioor. J5->tr .... :e unconscious, and in n dying coiulu.- :i. He detected a strong smell »' p-.vsic acid from one nf til? h.itik'S Nun: : u tho corridor, and also from a _•-■-!"■.• •:<> tin and a glass, while a si conn .»'■•• e had a srcoll of v.i:i.-. Constable Diinnott, who was s;n. -At to take charge of the bodies, Iho position in winch lie wv.u •Iγ ;i, and tho various articles discover.;.! m the possession of Jones.

Strange Lotters. \ ba" contaim-d U-ttcrs from Sir Joseph Wnvd :««! - llr - J,iisso >' ? ,) '"-' a ccuccrniiis.' the ix'lpase ot --'••■>■ »•<■• ■ •'- r from tlicT institution., f> >^* v " £ l.ord liitchMiw stiiKii n.-'-e to grant Jones a;i TOtUo a. letter ditcd -ftot.or -), I!W6, from Suim.v.siili' As.tUhii, a.;Jie:; r .d to "ilv deal- Beatrices" and &*:.<s with ' : your nffoctionaio bmtnor la and is suppewd to luvo con.o i-.-.ai Uonc! Terry. Another letter wu* aoknowledgment fmra Sir J - r^ a V J .™ a congratulatory messa™ iom J o M on the occasion ol tne Gnvermncnfs presentation ot a batue--liin to the Mother Country, "fte Coroner: lie seems to have been G tether ■£■ condition, he says: "D-un is far more preferable at her earnest wish.

Wished to bo Cremated. . Amon-st other matters referred to il ten on pieces ot paper, by Mrs. \\et> ster. One reads:— "It is my solo wisli to die with Herbert, and I have asked him to help mo! Tlio world is too dark and dreary." The second noto is as follows:— "It is my wish to d>V V , lth £T bort, Vera, Ronald, and Baby Cecil, and let all be buried together. That is not mv sole wish. Ihis is v.r ttcii in my right senses. _ The world is too rotten and dark."

Dr. Beattio informed tlio coronei that .1 member of the Mental Hospita; staff overheard the two deceased speakin<r and gathered ihat Jones was dictating letters that Mrs. Webster wu> ,Vr Dr" S i[ilsoin, who made tho postmortem examination, stated that fill the indications pointed to death by cyanide poisoning. ; Tho jury returned a verdict to tho effect that Mrs. Webster died from cyanide poisoning administered by Herbert Jones. Similar evidence, was given in tho case of Jones, and a verdict of death from poison, self administered, . was returned.