ASYLUM TRAGEDY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 864, 9 July 1910, Page 5

ASYLUM TRAGEDY.

LIFE STORY OF THE VICTIMS. MRS. WEBSTER A SISTER OF LIONEL TERRY. MIND UPSET BY READING A BOOK. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, July 8. Captain Jonos was horn in Wales, and came to New Zealand from South Africa, where he was farming in partnership with Lionel 'Jerry.

Mrs. Webster was a sister of Lionel Terry. •

Tito late Captain Jones bore evidences of hard campaigning. l He was about GO years of age. At Omaha ho conducted the lied Vale Nursery, aud made

Mrs. AVebster was approaching her fortieth year. At the mental hospital sho was engaged in tho mending-room, and entered into all enjoyments with thorough zest. She had, however, a number of innoccnt delusions, and was somowhat erratic in her conversation, though withal kindly disposed and- very affectionate. A former acquaintance describes hor a,s a fine-looking woman of superior bearing and refinement, and displaying evidences of intellectual attainments.

A Romantic Career. With the story of the tragedy is interwoven a tale of a somewhat romantic career. Mrs. Webster was descended from .an influential family, which was dispossessed at tho time of the revolution, and subsequently went to F.ngland, where they had been living in Kent. Some time during the Boer War Mrs. Webster went to South Africa. It was there that she met Captain Jones, an officer in the Imperial Army, who, at the conclusion of hostilities in South Africa, camo to New Zealand in company with his wife, to whom ho was married many years ago. Nothing more is known of Mrs. Webster's' movements until she also camo to Now Zealand. Neither is anything known concerning her married life, except that Captain Jones had stated in partial explanation of the interest he displayed in her case that AVebster deserted her in New Zealand, and was dead.' Then comes tho rather sensational statement that Mrs. Webster's mind was so upset by reading a book that slio became insane. On October 30, 1909, she was admitted from Auckland to Avondalo Mental Hospital. Rightly or wrongly, it is said the book purported to bo a record of Mrs. Webster's own life.

Statement by the Doctor. Speaking of the tragedy at the 'Mental Hospital, Dr. Beatty states: —"I met Jones frequently in the courso of his visits- to the Meiital Hospital. He had taken very great interest in Mrs. Webster, and pestered me a long while about her release. She was quite a well-behaved' patient, of bright and happy disposition, but insane and not iit for .release. I declined, to release her. Jones camo to beg permission to take her out for a day so that she could see her baby. This I declined for various reasons. By my permission he twice brought other children to the Mental Hospital to see their mother. Jones seemed very much attached to the children, and when speaking of Mrs. Webster it was always of a kind, affectionate manner. Mrs. Webster also seemed greatly attached to her children. On no occasion did Jones appear ;to r .show .any, symptoms of mental weakness in conversation with me or do anything which would lead me to anticipate any tragedy. When I saw iiim yesterday he seemed cheerful, and gave no indications of being'intoxicated or having had any liquor. When I passed them in tho corridor, Mrs. Webster was sitting, beside him talking and laughing in her usually buoyant Spirits. She. was a very bright and lively , woman, and I was very much astonished when I heard of the tragedy. "When previously at the Mental Hospital, Jones asked my private opinion as to Mrs. Webster's mental condition. I told him I thought .there were some hereditary features in the case, and although I was not prepared to say she. would not recover ultimately, I felt in my own jnind that the'prospects of recovery were very remote. He remarked:—.'Then I conclude she will never get better,' and went away." That the act was premeditated for any length of time is not' considered likely by Dr. Beatty. Jones told the doctor, probably a week ago, that lie proposed leaving the country with his wife, and asked if Mrs. Webster would bo permitted to go with them. Dr. Beatty adds_ that whereas 'Jones .had visited the institution about' once a month formerly, he - had been there three times during the last fortnight. Regarding Mrs. Webster, Dr. Beatty does not think she had any suicidal tendencies, lie is unable to account for the exact manner in which tho tragic course came to be decided upon. One of the letters written bv Jones prior to his death was addressed to his wife, and is understood to have indicated that ho contemplated 'suicide. The other was addressed to ,Dr. Beatty, and in a brief, business-like form extended thanks for the kindness shown to Mrs. Webster