TRAGIC AFFAIR AT CHARING CROSS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8916, 3 December 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

TRAGIC AFFAIR AT CHARING CROSS.

A LOVE ROMANCE.

A tragic occurrence took place at Charing Cross Station, on the Metropolitan District Kailway, on Oct. 7. On the arrival of the 11.16 a.m. train from Putney two peraona — a young man of 18 and a young woman — alighted. The woman, whose name it transpires is Matilda Horton, sat down on iv seat on the platform near the exit door. The man, Arthur Home, a printer's layer-on, of 97, Corporation Buildings, Farringdon-Btreet, came up beside her, and without making any remark, fired from a six-chambered revolver at hor, but without hitting her, the bullet enter ing the top rail of the seat upon which she wis sitting. The man then fired towards the roof of the station, and then all the pasengers Bought to escape from the station, believing the man to be mad. The third shot, however, he fired into his own mouth, and fell dead upon the platform. The young woman who had had such a narrow escape was almost senseless with terror. The police were speedily communicated with, and the remains of the man were conveyed to Charing Cross Hospital. In the pockets of the deceased were found 40 pin fire cartridges. The police also took the young woman to the hospital, although she is unhurt. The deceased is stated toha ve quarrelled with his employers. In his pocket-book was the following entry in lead pencil" As a token of love and respect, I wish my watch to be given to Matilda, being a last request.— I remain, yours truly* A. Home.—Call at C. Mitchell, of 5, Dyer's Buildings, for three days' pay." On the reverse side of the sheet was written, "And please be kind enough to give Matilda my silk handkerchief. Will find it in my best jacket pocket." The affair created intense excitement in the district.

STATEMENTS Blf FBIJINDS. The young woman, Matilda Horton, who is 22 years of age, and is a valentinemakor, loft Charing Cross Hospital on Thursday night. She went home to kor lodgings at her grandmother's, who resides in Ulerkenwell Close, but subsequently visited deceased's home to see his father and family. Home's friends state that the exact cause for the sad affair is shrouded in mystery. The young man bore an excellent character, and was exceedingly fond of the young girl to whom he was engaged. They, however, had had several quarrels recently, and on Sunday he showed them his photograph, which he had had taken for her, all torn up. On being asked who did it, he replied "Matilda." Hi • -Was then strongly advised by bis friend: , for various reasons, to have nothing furthest*) do with her. He would not, however, take their advice, and on Tuesday or Wednesday gave her an engagement keeper, which he pressed upon her. It is alleged by his friends that she stated that she was afraid of him on Wednesday night, and refused to walk any distance with him as she felt something in his coat pocket, which she thought was a revolver. Home assured her it was not, but that it was only a sailor's dagger. On Thursday morning toe met her early in the Close, and they were seen walking leisurely together. The girl refused to ride in the same compart" meut with him, and when they came to Charing Cross they alighted from different carriages. She did not want him to accompany her, and she then sat down on the seat, and the tragic occurrence took place.