HOUSE OF COMMONS SHOOTING

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1414, 15 April 1912, Page 5

HOUSE OF COMMONS SHOOTING

A DANGEROUS MAX. . By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright tonflon, April 12. Samuel Henry, the local preacher, who on February 2(1 fired a revolver in tho Central Hall of the llouse of Commons, and was bound over to keep the peace after pleading that lie had been overworked and was insane at the time he committed the act, was found at his residence, Leominster, shot through tho head and in a critical condition. His wife was dead, with her throat cut. At G p.m. on Monday, February 2G. a mail who was sitting in tho Central Hall of tho House of Commons discharged a revolver in the air. lie was immediately seized, disarmed, and taken to Cannon Row police station. Tho man, who was dressed like n clergyman, had been sitting in tho Central Mall about three hours. He had been heard by some of those near him muttering to himself, but tlie attention of the police \vas not drawn to him. The members standing by sav that as he discharged the revolver he oxclaimcd,' "The Messiah is a Christian gentleman." According to another of those beside him, ho said that all workmen were to throw down their tools and that "this'' (meaning the revolver) was to bo the signal. On being taken into custody tho man described himself as n licensed preacher, and gave-the name of Henry and an address at Leominster. He stated that his reason for his action was that tlie Government was supnrcssing the leaching of Tolstoy on the Messiah. He had come to London especially to spo Mr. Asquitli, and failing iu this object discharged a revolver to attract attention to his grievance. Tho revolver, a heavy we,iroi\.. with a long barrel, was loaded in all five clinml'-jrs with ball carlridee. A number of ball enrtridres similar to those in die chambers of the revolver were found in one of his pockets.