SAD LOVE TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12266, 9 May 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

SAD LOVE TRAGEDY

WANDSWORTH SERVANT'S SUICIDE

AND PATHETIC LETTERS. At Wandsworth lately Mr. Troutbeck held an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Marie Smith, a domestic sen-ant, in service at the time of her death with Mr. and Mrs. Reed, residing at Crieff Villa, Queen's Road, Wandsworth Common. The death of the young woman took place under very tragic circumstances.

Thomas Reed, the deceased's employer, deposed that he knew deceased by the name of Marie Smith, although a letter had been addressed to her' in the name of Hamilton. She had been in h'is service since October 14 last, and was about 23 years old. Witness was aware that deceased was walking out with a young man. She became very much attached to that young man. For three days before her death, she was greatly distressed, constantly weeping, and being unable to sleep at night. Deceased was usually a most light-hearted girl, and she never' showed any signs of distress until three days before her death. The girl seemed to him to be broken-hearted.

Marion Reed, wife of the last witness, said that on March 14 she noticed that deceased was very distressed. When asked what was the * matter she said that she had been a, little upset by the young fellow sho was walking out with. She said that he had been unkind to her. She had never said anything to witness to lead her to suppose* 'that she would commijfc suicide. Deceased had left behind her in their house some letters. One was addressed to witness, as follows: —

Dear Mrs. Reed,— I should not return to-night will you put the Is 4d and the dress von will find into my box? I hope you will forgive me for the trouble and inconvenience I shall put you to. lam sorry for the very wicked act I am going to commit. The- burden of my mind is too much for me. The. young man I love has cast mo aside, and now there is nothing before me. I daresay if I had a mother I would go with my troubles to her, and this would not have been. I have tried to toll my troubles to you, and you have been a kind mistress to me, and I feel grateful for it. I am doing a wicked act, and I hope that God will forgive me.

There was another letter to " Patty," a friend of deceased. That letter said : —

lam very much upset about Ernie. Ho would not sec mo on Saturday evening, and I went homo very miserable and upset. You know that we have been going out together for the last 15 months, and I have really got to love him, and I believe I cannot tear myself away from him. You do not know what I have put tip with from him, and if he was to give me the- go-by I do not think I should be able to bear it, and I think I should do away with myself. I cannot help thinking about it. I have tried* hard to forgive him. but 'I cannot. I cannot explain everything to you, but will tell you more on Tuesday.

There was still another letter addressed to the young man in qustion. It read : —

Dear Ernie, —I suppose you thought I was very unkind the other night by going off so sharp, but I was not going to be put off before another young fellow.

Florence Larkin, residing at Clarendon Road, Putney,- deposed that she was aware there had been a, coolness between deceased and her brother Tiniest. They were nob engaged, but only walked out together. On the evening of March 17 deceased came to Clarendon Road, and she then seemed upset, which witness thought was perhaps caused by the coolness that existed between deceased and witness' brother. They all sat down to tea, when suddenly deceased got up from the table and began to reel about. As a smell of carbolic was noticed in the room deceased was asked whether she had taken any, but she replied that she had not. Deceased then, fell to the floor on her knees, and became so ill that medical aid was fetched. She died the same night. A broken battle that had contained carbolic acid was subsequently found' in the pocket of a cloak worn by deceased. Upon the clothing was also found the following letter:—

My Darling Ernie,Ycur unkinduess to mo has led me to commit suicide. I have given you my heart. I cannot, live in the world without you. The last two months and last week have been more than I can endure any longer. I have tried my best to forgive you, but T cannot. Don't let this prey on your mind. Try to forget all that has been. Don't tell any other girl what I have done.

Ernest Larkin, residing ab Clarendon Read, Putney, said that deceased and himself had been merely walking out together. They -were not engaged. There was no one who came between them. A coolness sprang up between them, but not about anything of importance. He met her on, March 14, and did not kiss her as usual. He did not meet her on the previous Sunday night until after tko hour arranged. There was really no row between them. On one occasion she said that if he was to leave her she would knife him like Kitty Byron did her young man. He had never heard her threaten to take her life.

Medical evidence having shown death to be due to carbolic acid poisoning the jury returned a verdict of " Suicide whilst temporarily insane."