A Wedding in an Empty Church

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 227, 26 September 1935, Page 10

A Wedding in an Empty Church

How a young couplo conducted their own “wedding service” —“Wo just went into a church and prayed, and said a few words to each other” —was described at Blackpool recently. The phrase was stated to havo been written by a girl who was later found dead as tlio result, counsel alleged, of a suicide pact, says the “Daily Telegraph.”

Georgs Alfred Brown, 20, a laundry vanman, of Highgate Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, was now charged with the murder of Linda Dorcas Hill, 24, a typist, of Tenby ltoad, Sparkliill, on Blackpool Promenade on May 24, and also with attempted suicide. A tailor’s “dummy,” dressed in the dead girl’s clothes, was an exhibit in court.

Mr E. G. Robey, prosecuting, said Brown and tho girl had been “keeping company” since February, although tho girl was engaged to a xwliee-eon-stable until sho broke it off on May 6.

On May 20 Brown left a note for the parents saying that ho was going away with the girl. The next day they arrived in Blackpool. Brown and the girl, Mr. Itobey continued, apparently wrote and posted letters. “From the contents one might say that there was an intention on the part of both to end their lives together,” he added.

The first letter written by Brown to his mother read: “Just a few lines to let you know everything is Q.K. If ever you como here again I want you to walk along the front until you nearly reach the Pleasure Beach.

“In a side-road is a little church. Go inside, because that is where your son married the girl he loved. IVe arc very happy. That is why we cannot go back just yet. It is too beautiful to wreck. “P.S.—IVu don’t wish for any mourners, Mom, because this is a time for joy, so all of you be happy.”

In a letter to a friend the girl said: “George and I were married here on Thursday; no't the kind of wedding most peoplo have. You sec, we did not have any money, but money is no* everything.

“Wo just went into the church and prayed, and said a few words to each ether—you know, just tho necessary—and asked God to bless us. Ho alone was witness to cur marriage. He understands, and we both know we are forgiven.

“We have had. three glorious days, but now our little money has gone and wo must wish you all good-bye until.

. . . But wo know it is not the end. Cheerio. Luck to you both.—Linda. ' Mr Eobey said early ou Friday, May 24, P.C. I.lcHalo heard a moaning noise coming from a promenade shelter, and found the girl sitting on the seat, apparently dead, with blood on her breast. Brown, who was lying on tho ground, said to the constable, “\V e decided to do it together. Sho asked mo to do it for her without her knowing; so I did.”

Brown also told Constable Melt ale that they were married at tho little church, adding, “We have vowed to one another. I stabbed myself. It was so hard. I tried three times.” Applying for a certificate of legal aid, which was granted, Mr AVillison (for the'defence) said, “There will be a strong contest at the Assizes, because he absolutely denies that he killed this woman.” Brown, who pleaded not guilty, was committed for trial.