ROMANTIC DOUBLE SUICIDE.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue 397, 18 April 1879, Page 3

ROMANTIC DOUBLE SUICIDE.

Lately the bodies of a lady and gentleman were found floating down the river off North Woolwich. On the fingers of each of the deceased were a quantity of gem rings, and both wore engaged rings. The gentleman, who appeared to be 42, -was on Tflegday identified as Mr. Charles Gifford, independent gentleman, late of 23 Marine Parade, Brighton, and the lady as Miss Blanche Crossfield, of Horsham, Sussex, it: is stated that Mr. Gif Ford became acquainted with Miss Crossfield when she was 17 years of age, through having saved j heft* from drowning. The deceased became mittf ally attached add plighted troth, - at thp yriah Of the parents on both sides, until a jyear later, when Mr. Crossfield withdrew .his promise On the ground that Mr. Gifford's son was a Roman Catholic Both deceased then arranged that neither would marry any other, and each would be wedded " to the Church " until Mr. Crossfield should withdraw his objection. Mr. Gifford (deceased) then stayed abroad, at Athens, Geneva, and Baden for some years, When he received a letter from Mr. Crossfield, informing him that his daughter was dying, that he (deceased) was the cause, and adding "If you wed my daughter my curse shall follow both of you. I have already disinherited her." Deceased arrived in London last Thursday week/ and met Miss Crossfield at her residence at Gravesend, Mr. Crossfield having been killed in a carriage accident. Both deceased's arms were nnited by some silken cords, and in Miss Crosafield's purse, containing fldtea, Ac, was found a card, on which was written, "As we may not be wed in this world, may Heaten permit us in the next. In loving embrace we mutually agree to leave this selfish world. — ChakciES Gieford, Blanche Cbossfield, Bth February, 1879." A melancholy suicide by a lad of 17, named Henry Bf nmfield, occurred at Port Pirie, on the 94th lilt. The South Australian Register repprts that at the inquest Mrs. Pearsop, the married sister of the deceased, doposed :— " He chine to me about half-past 12 o'clock, and i asked me to bid him good-bye, and said^ ' I am going to kill myself.' He went outside and took off oho shoe, which he gave me, saying I was to keep it as long as I should live. I then followed him over to the slip-panel* He picked up the gun produced, which I tried to take from him, but did not succeed in doing so. 1 once had my fingers on the gun. He held it out at arm's length, the muzzle being towards him, and tried to put his toe on the trigger. I was obliged to leave him then, as I was afraid he would shoot me. When I got 30 yards or so from him, I heard the cap snap, and looking round I saw him fall on his left side. I went back and tried to turn him over ; and found a large wound on the left side of his head, and a lot of blood on the ground. Deceased aid not tpoak to me. He only sighed. I have seen him daily for some tirae.'.and thought him very childish in his manner. Thought he might Shoot me accidentally. Can't say if he had been drinking lately. He was sober to the best of frny belief." The jury found— " That the deceased Henry Brumfleld came to his death through a gunshot wound inflicted on himself whilst laboring under a fit of temporary insanity."