THE MELBOURNE TRAGEDY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3507, 7 August 1880, Page 2

T H E MELBOURNE TRAGEDY.

FULL DETAILS OF THE CRIME.

SAD STORY OF A WIFE'S INFIDELITY.

HISTORY OF GREER AND HIS VICTIMS.

At the Opera House, Melbourne, on Saturday night, 24th July, John James M'Gregor Greer shot his wife Annie Greer and Louis Soundry, who was sitting with her, and then attempted to commit suicide. The work being performed when the occurrence amazed the audience wa3 Meyerbeer's " Huguenots," and there was a considerable assemblage within the building, the dress circle aloue containing upwards of four hundred people, the majority of whom were ladies. Before the commencement of the piece Greer and his wife entered the dress circle, and took soatst) the right. Souudry also visitel the saino division with some friends, :uvl sut further to the right, near the box appropriated to the use of members of the Melbourne Club. Shortly before the termination of the fourth act, Greor, who was suffering from great perturbation ofnr.nd, left his seat, and. ni'tor walking very excitedly behind the seats, proceeded to the bar beyond the vestibule. He there had something to drink, and returned to the theatre. In the meantime Soundry joined Mrs. Greer, and entered into conversation with her. When the husband saw the chango which had taken place in his absence he became palpably agitated, aud although his mutte rings and restless behaviour seemed to indicate that ho was not enjoying tranquility of mind, his action did not lead those who noticed him to any other conclusion than -#iat perhaps he was not sober. The curtaiu descended on the fourth act at about quarter-past ten o'clock, and Greer was seen to go to the opposite side of circle to that upon which his wife and Souudry were seated, and to scan them closely. Almost immediately afterwards, he returned in the direction of his seat; but when in ihc rear of the narrow passage which leads along the right of the building to the box and the stage, he stopped behind them, drew a revolving pistol from his coatpocket, and fired first at Soundry, who had slightly turned, and was almost facing him, and then at his wife. The entire assemblage seemed to arise simultaneously, shrieks denoted

the trepidation of the females, and shouts the consternation of the men, for, with the exception of very few, none seemed to know the cause of the sudden outbreak. The occupants of the pit, stalls, upper circle, and gallery were by their positions unable to discover what had been done ; those below clambered on to the seats and stage in the utmost disorder, and those above leaned over the" galleries with the object of obtaining a view of the cause of the commotion. The stage was rushed by a large number, and those behind the scenes pushed forward to share in the general excitement. The scene in the circle was exceedingly animated, for there the greatest danger was felt. The first shot awakened a sense of insecurity, and as it was thought a lunatic had commenced firing at random there was a unanimous adoption of expedients to insure safety. The door leading to the stage was quickly sought, and egress obtained there by many. The main entrance was rushed and the vestibule filled ; those ladies who retained sufficient presence of mind obtained refuge under the seats, and those who fainted were looked after by their male companions. Those gentlemen who were near Greer, when they became aware of his death-dealing intention, seized him ; bbi before he was disarmed he discharged the contents of another chamber of the revolver in the air, and a fourth in his right ear. He staggered and fell, and was then laid on the floor near the door. Greer's victims were both severely hurt, the woman being struck under the left ear and the man in the right cheek. They were attended to as soon as the first tumult had passed away. The place where they sat was bespattered with blood, and they were lying helpless upon the bench. The crushing of the people who had returned to the place after the firing had ceased caused renewed commotion, and it was with great difficulty that the injured ones could be borne away. Greer was being examined where he lay, and as Soundry was carried past him he shouted excitedly, " That is the man who shot me." Greer and he were then taken into the vestibule, and as several medical practitioners were present they received ample attention froniDrs. Charles, Byan, Bird, Stirling, and others. Mr. Thomas Bolan, Mr. Joseph Thompson, and others of the audience co-operated with them in securing an examination of the injuries of each. On the way to the hospital, Greer asked Mr. Thompson, who was with him, if he had killed his wife and Soundry, and particularly inquired if lie had succeeded in his attempt upon his wife. The revolver which Greer fired is a very common five-chambered one, and when it was picked up there was but one cartridge in it. It bore the appearance of having been loaded for some time. His neck was only six inches distant when he fired at himself, and there were marks of powder on his face which indicated that the weapon was discharged in close proximity to his head. The result of Soundvy's wound will be a deformity of the facial expression ; but it is not considered dangerous. Mrs. Greer has a wound in the neck. The bullet struck her under the right ear, passing through the throat, and entered the cavity of the mouth at the roof. She states that the bullet rested in her mouth, and that she spat it out. In Greer's head there is a most dangerous wound. The bullet entered at the right ear, and went to the base of the brain almost in a direct line and there it remains.

Flattery .— Artfnl Snip : "Dear me ! Very sing'lar, sir ! — exact' the measurement of the 'Apollor Belvulere,' sir!" [Customer orders a second suit.] — Punch.