FAMILY WIPED OUT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 263, 6 November 1934, Page 5

FAMILY WIPED OUT

( TRAGEDY IN WAIKATO FOUR LIVES DESTROYED MURDER AND SUICIDE [ I’er Pre»> Association. Y HAMILTON, Nov. 5. An entire family was wiped out ill a shocking domestic tragedy which, occurred on a small dairy farm at Horsham Downs, five miles from Hamilton, at. 11.30 this morning. Tho victims were: Harry T. Rogers, 26, farmer, Marion Isabel Golden Rogers, about 26. his wife. Barbara Rogers, two and a-hnlf years of age. Nola Rogers, 10 months. The first indication that anything was amiss, came when a man named Shepherd, a brother of Airs. Rogers, who is employed on the Rogers’ farm, called at the cottage at 12.30 p.m. He was shocked to firm his sister lying dead in the washhouse which adjoins the two rooms of the cottage. Without investigating further, he rushed buck to get a neighbour, Air. G. M. Williamson. Tho latter went across to the Rogers’ cottage, where they found all the members of the family dead. Rogers was lying on his luce in the bedroom with a pea-rifle partly underneath him. In the same room, lying in a cut, was the child Barbara, also 'lead. I’he body of the baby, Nola, was found in a pram in the kitchen. All the victims hail been shot at close range with a pea-rifle. The body of Airs. Rogers, which also contained a pea-rifle bullet, I Was found lying on her back in tho washhouse. It. was obvious that she was shot, while engaged in washing. I’he Rogers had been on the farm since last June. The farm is 50 acres ii extent, and the occupants were milking 50 cows. The house had been erected when the Rogers entered into occupation. Although not well known in Ino district, had been exceedii.gly j'opular with all with whom they hail conic in contact with. Air. Williamson stated this afternoon that Rogers had visited his farm (about a mile away) at 1.1 o'clock this morning, to return wire strainers he had borrowed. He was then quite normal and gave no indications of any i stress or worry. It is stated, however. : that Rogers was a man given to worrv. | and had been iu a depressed statu for | some time. He is said to have sufI tured financial worries. Several articles of clothing were found, hanging on the clothes line, ano them was another tub full of washing in the wushhuu'*? where Airs. Rogers met her death, ln\e.'tig:.; ions by the police on thw Rogers larii) this allcrnoon, point to the theory of u triple murder and suicide. N'o notes or any indication of Rogers’ intentions were fojind. Airs. Rogers returned only a few davs ago I roni a holiday with the children. There is no access to the house except over the haddocks.