MURDER AND SUICIDE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9229, 17 June 1893, Page 2 (Supplement)

MURDER AND SUICIDE.

LADY KILLED BY A GROOM. TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN NORTH WALES. The Vale of Gresford, between Wrexham and Chester, was on Monday night, May 1, the scene of a dreadful crime. It appears that about six weeks ago Mrs. Nellie Norris Whittle, about twenty-eight years of age, the wife of an independent gentleman living at the Poplars, Chorley, Lancashire, went to reside at Holly field, Gresford, Mrs. Whittle was accompanied by a lady companion named Prudence Taylor and a female servant. On the following Wednesday a man about forty years of age known as George Shellard, a horsedealer, living at Chorley, who was formerly in the employ of Mrs. Whittle's mother as groom or coachman, made his appearance at Hollyfiold and was ordered away, so it is said, by Mrs. Whittle, who threatened to send for an officer if ho refused to go. He thereupon left. On the previous Friday Mrs. Whittle, it is said, hud been seen in Liverpool with Shellard, and this coining to her • husband's knowledge he visited Hollyfield to ask her for an explanation and shortly afterwards left. On Monday, in consequence of some telegrams received from Shellard, Mrs. Whittle mot the train duo at Gresford at 2.20 p.m., and wont on with him to Wrexham, and thence to Mr. John Davies', Tyncoed, Coedpoeth, to see a cob, afterwards driving back to Hollyfield, where they arrived af terß o'clock. Shortly afterwards Miss Taylor went out into the yard to get some coal, the servant being away ill, and while there she thought she heard a shot fired in the house. On returning from the yard she perceived a smell of gunpowder. Sho ran upstairs to Mrs. Whittle's bedroom, where she heard another shot fired, and Airs. Whittle screaming, " For God's sake como up." Shellard was standing behind the door, and immediately she got into the room he closed the door, and told her that if she rained any alarm ho would blow her brains out; ho also made her draw down the window blind. He added, " If you do as I tell you, I won't hurt you, but I'm going to kill the missus. Mrs. Whittle was at this time lying on the bod rolling about apparently in great pain. ' Shellard took a razor out of his poekot and made a terrible gash in the struggling lady's throat, nearly severing her head from her body. After this lie knelt down and prayod, and then placing the revolver in his mouth, fired. He fell besido the bed, and Miss Taylor, who had boon a horrified spectator of this tragedy, now rushed out of the room, and out of the house, and raised an alarm. When sho went back to the bedroom sho was astonished to find both her mistress and Shellard in bed, side by side, the murderer being partly undressed. Mrs. Whittle was dead, but Shollard was still alive, and lived until after tho arrival of a policeman and a doctor. THE INQUEST. An inquest was held by tho polico, when tho jury found that Mrs. Whittle had been maliciously murdered by Shellard, and the coroner adjourned the inquiry to enable tho police to produce furthev evidence as to his identification and state of mind. KXTRAORDINARY LETTKRB. The following were among other letters found in Mrs. Whittle's possession ; — 10, Parson's Row, Chorley, Lanes. My Dear Love,—l will rile as well as my hands will allow me. I rote to you, but I dare say you could (not) understand it. As I was walking in sorrow Back to Wrexham I meet the Clark corning to your house for to Hint mo ; but of course it wilt never be known from that Urni of solicitors where he found mo, so don't be alarmed. I not to Stockport at twelve o'clock next day. It was quarter to three o'clock when th« case was called on. Jackson Cook made a complete fool ol himself. When I got into the witness-box and started I Had what they called a tit. The judge asked for Brandy to b-. fetched, but I asked for water. I had two Drinks, officials of the Court rubbing my hands, •uid I reiu'ber one of them saying poor man ; and if I was to die this moment, when lie said it, bad as I was, iu my heart I said to myself poor. Well, the judge ordered everybody to sit down and be silent. i soon came round. My solicitor looked at me ami I gave him tho signal 1 was ready. He rose and proceeded with the case. I paid Jackson Cook, Leach, and ititcliffe the bet against me, three to one. I stood up and beat the three into a cocked hat, and always shall be able to do. 1 came home at night, went to lied as soon as your letter was posted. You may have had to pay a extra penny to pay, but 1 took it inside and 1 could not get a extra stamp for love or money, but I think 1 could trust the clerk, as J am well known and respected only by dam fools. Pardon me, please, if I cannot get a cob to suit me in a day or two. Will you meet me iu Liverpool on Friday next, then we will have a look round Lucas an I make inquiries as it is no use of mo buying you a greon cob; it must be a made one, quiet and steady both to ride and drive. I have not. sent Hie watch, as it is needless, as I shall sue you so soon, I should advise you to come to alone as double expellees has been to mutch. 1 have been takin, a rough look over our expences this last four months; it would be enough to keep you and me in a nice little place and bo happy together for four years. My treatment since 1 have been in bed from Friday night till today from my own people as been cruel. 1 have had nothing but a bit of toast, bread and cheese to eat and a drop of hop beer 10 drink. Let me hear from you, my darling, by rot-urn of post, and believe me ever to remain true to death, —Your own true boy, George. 10, Parson's Row, Chorley, Lanes. My Darling, I got fetched last night, not by a Detective but by a clerk. I was awfully ill, but went to Stockport to defend the roan mare's case. I won easily, but I had wone of those trembling tits, and tho guge stopped the case, asked for some brandy for me, but 1 asked for water. Iu a few minutes 1 went on ; but, my darling, as bad as I was, you my pet was in my thoughts. Man rubbing my li .nds. 1 shall die 1 believe. Shall stop iu bed for two days. iam awfully ill, but wit try to rite on Sunday. Good night, my pet, for the present.— Yours faithfully, GEORGE.