SOLITARY DEATH

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 93, 14 January 1935, Page 10

SOLITARY DEATH

Alone Among Riches PALMERSTON RECLUSE Guarded by fierce Dogs A police constable who forced an entrance to a large, neglected-looking house standing solitary amid the quietness of elms and orchard trees in Ferguson Street, Palmerston North, one day last week, stepped from the brignt sunshine which has distinguished 1935 right into the musty atmosphere of 30 years ago. He discovered tlie sole occupant of the two-storeyed dwelling lying outstretched at the foot of a staircase dead, reports the Auckland “Star.” She was Mrs. Katherine Wilson, aged about 78 years, widow of Dr. George Wilson, formerly a well-known medical in Palmerston North. Antique silverware and art treasures tarnished by the passage of years, but still worth a considerable sum, were found by officials who subsequently made investigations. Mrs. Wilson, the owner of this remarkable collection, is reported to have sold in London a year or two ago a gold set of Apostle spoons for £lO,OOO. There are veryfew of these in existence. Although Mrs. Wilson was obsessed by the fear of being robbed, she is reported to have been in the habit of wearing in the streets daily extremely valuable rings. Though Mrs. Wilson lived in comparative isolation in her home which, standing well back in spacious grounds, was almost obscured from the' street by a tall belt of macrocarpa trees,'she took daily walks and usually had the noon-day meal in the town. Occasionally she engaged the services of a chauffeur to drive her car. Dog Shot by Officials. Her home was guarded by two tierce dogs, who, like their owner, showed the greatest resentment at any suggestion of intrusion by strangers. One, a powerful Alsatian, was kept chained near the back door and because of its menacing demeanour it had to be shot before officials could approach. The other, a big English collie, made occasional visits to a. neighbour’s place for food, but remained very aloof. Both dogs were taken into the house by their owner for her protection at night. Consequent upon the failure ,'of Mrs. Wilson to make her customary appearance for some days, the milkman informed the police, who forced an entrance to the house. They found that Mrs. Wilson had been dead for several days, apparently having collapsed and succumbed to heart failure at the foot of -the stairs. Just as they had been left on the successive deaths of her son and husband, complete rooms were found to have been undisturbed for years. Inhabiting only a few rooms of the house, Mrs. Wilson had lived a lonely, hermitlike existence until death overtook her. Eccentric and wealthy, dignified and cultured, she had lived almost as a recluse among beautiful works of art and china treasures, which represented the highly aesthetic taste of a connoisseur. By contrast, in a room immediately adjoining, Mrs. Wilson had taken her last meal, a very frugal one, the remnants of which still littered a table. Husband’s Possessions Undisturbed. Not since Mrs. Wilson’s husband died 30 years ago had an article in his surgery been moved. Instruments were still as they had been left in the glass ease. Cigarettes and other articles hall been left untouched in this place, which was obviously regarded by his widow with reverence. In other rooms sticks, sporting equipment and clothes were in their place. There was a suit, new 30 years ago, which had never l>een worn. Though Mrs. "Wilson’s clothes belonged in some respects to the fashions of long-past seasons, a modish hat of the very latest design was there. Her son’s room had been preserved intact from the day he died about 35 years ago, hockey sticks, a college Jiat and clothes remaining just as they had been discarded. The whole place had an atmosphere of sadness and it was evident that Mrs. ’Wilson’s mind was linked inseparably with the events of the past. She bad travelled extensively with her husband. Her son had been born of a former marriage. Motor-cars Old and New. Behind the house was an old stable, in the vicinity of which grazed throe cows, long past their milking days, Ducks were found in possession of Hie feeding boxes in the horse stalls. Several separators of old design had obviously never been used. An ancient lawnmower practically crumbled to dust when touched. Parked in an adjacent shed was one of the very earliest models of motor-cars, just as it had been left by the doctor after returning from a journey. Its tires had perished with age. Alongside this was a smart and costly Minerva, which was occasionally used by Mrs. Wilson. Inside the house was kept a very complete armoury of ancient weapons, including axesand spears. These were preserved with meticulous care. The eccentricity of Mrs. Wilson was well known to those acquainted with her. She made very few personal friends, preferring the lonely associations in which she lived. When l/ie house was repainted, some time after her husband's death, the consulting hours on the plate at the entrance to the surgery were also reprinted by her instruction’s. She clung dearly to everything that belonged to the house and Its surroundings. The body has been interred in a private family vault with Mrs. Wilson’s husband and son at the Palmerston North Cemetery. So far as is known Mrs. Wilson had no surviving relatives in New Zealand. 'Plie' administration of the estate has been assumed by the Public Trust Office. At the inquest on Saturday morning, a verdict in accordance witli the medical evidence that death was due to heart failure was returned by the Coroner, Mr. A. J. Graham.