DISARMED BY A SMILE
TRYING TO SHOOT GLADSTONE. Tried at Old Bailey in 1593 for sending a letter threatening to murder the then Prime Minsister of Britain, Mr. Gladstone, William Henry Townsend has died at Broadmoor Criminal Asylum at the aged of 73. Townsend was obsessed with the idea that by shooting Mr. Gladstone he would be doing a national service. In later years Townsend is stated to have told a friend that one day iie saw Mr. Gladstone leave No. 10. Downing Street, and was just g-ohig to take out the pistol and lire when Mr. Gladstone smiled at him. “GladsoneV smile was so charming,” said Townsend. ‘‘that I hadn’t the heart to shoot, him." At the trial Townsend was found guilty but insane, and ordered to be detained during the Sovereign’s pleasure. He was discharged in 1903, and again in 1927. He was readmitted early this year.
A verdict of “Death from natural causes” was returned at the inquest.
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Hawera Star, Volume L, 23 October 1930, Page 8
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161DISARMED BY A SMILE Hawera Star, Volume L, 23 October 1930, Page 8
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