BATTERSEA TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 62, 10 September 1924, Page 6

BATTERSEA TRAGEDY

STRANGE STORY OF MAN'S

DECEIT

(Received 10th September, 2"'plm.) LONDON, 9th September. , A verdict that Albert Joshua met his death at Peggy Mercer's hands, and that she committed suicide while .of unsound mind, owing to Joshua's action towards'her was returned. '.'" Tho Coroner's Court was crowded, and -mounted polico preserved order outside. ■

; J lie first witness -was Mrs; Joshua, who,- heavily 'veiled, and scarcely audible, said they wero married ■in 1896 buo last saw her husband on 13th August when sho left him >to go to Scotiancl. There had never been unbappiness between herself and her husband and no talk of divorce, but he drove a motor-car by himself, and was often away for week-ends. She had neverheard of the dead woman. Miss Mercer, sister of PeEfiv Mei-eer identified the body of Joshufas that of Basil Montague, whom her sister had introduced by that name. The Coroner read a letter from the deceased girl;to her sister, found in the tiafc and enclosing a wedding ring. It said: "Forgive : my cowardly act, but I have decided to end it, I married Basil in June. He said he then had divorced his wite, and only lived with her for his daughter's sake. He deceived me and destroyed my marriage lines so nobody should know; but I still love,him, and he loves me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have taken this great risk.' I am afraid evl lT- day of someone coming for me." lhe sister broke, down, and was led sobbing from the Court. The Coroner said * 3 dead girfs diary showed that she was with Joshua every bunday and Tuesday from January to August,- going to theatres, playing golf alfd motoring.- If the. girl's last letter was true., Joshua.'s conduct was most discreditable. He overcame a- virtuous -woman by a ; bigamous marriage; but the letter might be an- invention. Women did extraordinary things. '