BIGAMY AND MURDER

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7091, 27 August 1901, Page 4

BIGAMY AND MURDER

LIGHT OJST THE SOUTHEND DOUBLE TEAGEDT.

.The mystery surrounding the Southend double tragedy was explained at the resumed inquest by two letters written by the murderer and one by his victim. It will be remembered that George Augustus Facer. 48, shot Jennie Tait, 32—a woman whom he had bigamously married—in the Marine Park at Southend, and then fled from the scene. He was pursued, however, and finding'that his capture was certain, lie jumped into a ditch and shot himself. ■

Mrs Meliora Cummings,. with wkom deceased had resided," was called, and the following letter, dated June -13th, was read by the Coroner. "To the Coroner—Don't thinkl am, or have been, a lunatic. lam driven to this by desperation. I had a good wife, a good home, and dear children.: They were takeu from me by the influence of an evil-minded woman, Mrs Cummings, of Ellerley, Southend, and placed in Dr Barnardo's Home. I have 'tried all means, to get them back to me. This Mrs Cummings is, and has been, a wicked woman, breaking up my home and comfort for drink. As I cannot get the sanction for-th;: release of my boys I have to do this, as it were, in selfdijfence. As the letter in my pocket shows, she, my dear Jennie, intends to take anotherhusbandi; In conclusion, I wish to say she hasbeen a dear girl to me until these, people, utter strangers. When I begged her to come back the answer I got was : 'No, never; I intend to cultivate these people's acquaintance, independent of what.yousay.';. I only hope, in conclusion, that God may bless my dear boys and bring -them up good,' forgetting father and: mother. I trust scmeone may look to the future of these a^ar ones—Herbert and George.Pacer, Dr Barnardo's Home, Jersey. From their loving father, (Signed) .Geobge liCEij." ..:... ,:-■ .

•■.: So far from the reference to her being true,,said Mrs; Curnminga, \ she; had pro• tected the woman from -Facer for: 16 months, as he h'ad^ threatened :to ihoot heron sight.'; "Then this, letter whichwas found on Facer's body was read :-—:;:;

■ ,:. c:-'- -: ' "Ellerley." : .-" "Mr Facer,—Ohce, r and -once'onlyj shall I grant the interview, ad/pleasa ha-?s-the -Bubjeot. under ■discussion in .reaJßnesß.- Jl am aperiectly free agent to,4tiiasl please/which I now intend a°ingv _ Your; behaviour: In the r ;past; ma|ces'it absolutely impossible for us to meeieveh ai ordinary: acquairitances.— Jennie Tait. Saturday; 6 p.rai, corner ofYorkEoad.";:: ': :: r .-.•' ;

". The Coroner : There is also a note in his pocket-book, "My dear wife kissed me and said good-bye in York Eoad.' The coroner added that there 'was another letter found am the deceased, which seemed to explain ' the whole tragedy. Itran:—: -

''I came to Southend to-day to ask my wife to' return to me for the sake of the two children she had placed: iri Dr Barnado's Home. I intended to shoother and myself to-day, but thought better of it. lam alone, and have been so for eighteen months. lam a;brokenhearted man, and shall end it all. I shall probably shoot myself in her, front garden or anywhere. I hope ;all connected with her will keep away from the drink; which has been my ruin.: She has been living with a wicked-woman. God bless Janie (deceased)'. Without ■ hope.—Geo. Faceb." ;.: : ::..;'.'■''■'..-. ;■■• ■/': '■ After this the jui-y decided that no more evidence was required, and. returned the verdict 7 " That; George Facer murdered Jennie Tait, and then committed suicide.'?;.','•. '_-■ .;- : . .