DRAMA OF LONDON LIFE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 96, 20 October 1926, Page 9

DRAMA OF LONDON LIFE

MYSTERY MANSION OF HYDE PARK GATE.

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, 18th October. A queer drama of London life has been revealed by the death of Mrs. Janette Vetch, the wealthy widow of a British general. Mrs. Vetch was found lying on the stairway of her mansion in Hyde Park Gate, having succumbed to an apoplectic fit. Her beautiful six-story home, containing twenty-five rooms, had become known as a mystery mansion, because from tho outbreak of the war it had stood empty and neglected, with the magnificent furniture dust-coated and decaying. Mrs. Vetch mysteriously returned from the Continent last year, and ordered the redecoration of the house. This was proceeding up to today, when workmen found Mrs. Vetch's body. During her twelve years' absence, Mrs. Vetch regularly paid the rates of £200 a year. Her home became the object of general curiosity owing to its prominent position, also a notice-board stating: "This is a private house. No connection with the hotel alongside." Mrs. Vetch, who was 86 years of age, was the daughter of Mr. G.-orge JQnline, a prominent Adelaide banker many years ago, and a cousin of Sir George Murray, Chief Justice of South Australia. She was in Europe at the outbreak of the war, nursing her son, and did not return to England till last year. Her husband, who was a British general, died a quarter of a century ago.