FURTHER REVELATIONS RESPECTING THE HENDERSON TRAGEDY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2027, 23 August 1880, Page 3

FURTHER REVELATIONS RESPECTING THE HENDERSON TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Times,” August 19th.] Those who took an interest in the somewhat romantic case in which Matthew Henderson and a Miss Blyth played prominent parts, and which has occupied the attention of the Resident Magistrate almost daily during the current week, will bo scarcely prepared to hear that it has been brought to a terrible end, and that Henderson destroyed his own life, and very nearly succeeded in taking away that of the unfortunate young woman who was simple enough to trust him, although there was every reason for suspecting that she was only a toy in his hands. It will be remembered that Henderson and Miss; Blyth came to Wellington in the Union steamer Taiaroa, by which they had booked their passages through to Auckland, and from thence to San Francisco, under the name of Afr and Mrs Terry, and that the former was arrested on Sunday by Chief Datective Browne, on a charge of deserting his wife and family at Christchurch. He was brought up in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, but released, not because he declared he was not married, but because it was found that he could not be legally detained without producing tho warrant for his arrest. Immediately after his liberation, he was re-arrested on a charge of embezzlement and larceny as a bailee which had been laid against him at Christchurch. On the first occasion it was found that ho had two six-chamber revolvers -and £2OO in gold about him, neither of which was returned to him on his liberation. The second charge was not heard, as the warrant for tho arrest had not arrived from Christchurch, and in the meantime he was enlarged on boil, a Canterbury member of the House of Representatives (Mr W. S. Moorhouse) entering into a bond for £3OO on his behalf. During the early part of his stay here Henderson had taken rooms for himself and Miss Blyth at Grr’s dining-rooms, but being identified, he was requested to leave. On Tuesday they went to the Empire Hotel, where they asked for lunch. They went out afterwards, and on returning it was noticed that Miss Blyth wore a wedding ring. Their stay being prolonged, Mr Liohtscheindl found himself obliged to give them a sitting and bod-room in the private part of the hotel for the night. _ They had breakfast at the usual time, and did not then excite any suspicions as to their intentions. Shortly after breakfast Henderson took a bottle of lemonade into the sittingroom. When Henderson’s case was called in the Resident Magistrate’s Court shortly after 10.30 a.m. yesterday, he failed to surrender to his bail, and a warrant was therefore issued for his arrest, and entrusted to Detective Browne for execution. This officer at once proceeded to the Empire Hotel, where he enquired for Henderson. In reply he was directed to the rooms occupied by him. He knocked at the door, and failing to obtain .admittance, tried to open it, but found that it was looked. A gurgling sound then attracted his attention. A moment’s listening .convinced him that things were not as they should be, and ho therefore hastily sought the landlord. The two then found that another door leading to the apartments was not locked, and they unhesitatingly entered. The eight that met them realised the detective’s suspicions to the fullest extent, for on the bed they saw Henderson and Miss Blyth lying, dressed as if they were about to take a walk, hut writhing in all the agony which strychnine poisoning is well known to inflict. The position was taken in at a glance. Detective Browne ran downstairs, ■jumped into the nearest cab, and drove up Willis street, in order to bring down Drs. Harding and Collins, while a servant was at the same time despatched for Dr. Diver. The three gentlemen were fortunately found at home, and hastened to give ail the assistance that lay in their power, taking with them the usual appliances. Upon their arrival, Dr. Diver attended to Miss Blyth, while Drs. Harding and Collins undertook to treat Henderson, Detective Browne and one or two others giving whatever assistance was required. Both were made to swallow emetics, the stomach pump being also freely applied, but it soon became apparent that there was no hope of saving tho man, who had apparently taken a large quantity of the poison. Dr. Diver succeeded in making his patient vomit very freely, and he soon had reason for entertaining hopes that she would recover. While she was being treated by him she made repeated attempts to speak, but only succeeded in uttering a few very disjointed sentences. Once she was understood to say, “He forced me to take it.” At other_ times she called upon her mother to forgive her for her folly. At noon there was good reason to believe that she would recover. All hopes of saving tho man were abandoned at that time, for, although a large quantity of liquid was extracted from his stomach, his system had absorbed sufficient to defy the skill of the medical men. Gradually the fearful spasms which attend strychnine poisoning became more frequent, at the same time growing in violence, and at 12 30 ho breathed his last. Miss Blyth continued to improve, and by three o’clock Dr, Diver, who had remained with her till then, was able to pronounce her out of all ordinary danger. Shortly after that time she was able to take s.ome broth, and a little later on to speak, though in a very feeble voice. She asked where “he ” was, and being told that he was in another room, she again expressed regret for her foolishness, and said she wanted to go back to her mother. It was also learnt from her that the poison was brought up from Christchurch. Up to a late hour last night she continued to progress towards recovery. The body of Henderson has been removed to the morgue, where an inquest will be held tomorrow. Thus ends one of the most sensational events which it has been onr to teeord. There have been many oases of crime which have led to a fatal termination, amongst them being the double murder and euicide on the Terrace, which must bo fresh in the memory of the public, but all of them lack the tinge of romance which has been shed over tho occurrence which we have just noticed. Excepting the double suicide at Wanganui, where a man jumped off the _ bridge there some two years ago, holding his niece in his arms, even when the bodies were drawn out of the water, nothing has occurred in tho central port of the colony to equal the events which wo have related. There can be but little doubt as to how the poison was taken. The bottle of lemonade which Henderson took into the sitting room was evidently used to dissolve the strychnine. He probably poured a quantity of the liquid into a tumbler, and then put in the poison, and having stirred it up divided the mixture into two parte, giving ono to Miss Blyth, he himself taking tie other. As strychnine does not dissolve very readily, and sinks to tho bottom in any liquid, it is inferred that he kept the (nimbler containing the bulk of the drug, and that Miss Blyth swallowed a much smaller quantity than he imagined. On the table of the sitting-room were two letters ; one from Henderson, addressed to his wife in Christ•church, and the other from Miss Blyth, to her mother at the same place, both containing statements to the effect that tho writers oon-

templated suicide. Kegarding the chief actors, a good many facts have been brought to light. Henderson, •who stood about 6ft. Sin. in height, and built in proportion, was about 38 years old. He was a police trooper at Sandhurst, in 1863, when Detective Browne knew him. He was dismissed from the force for some broach of the regulations, and then went to Sydney, where he again joined the police, being again dismissed, this time because he got mixed up in an assault case. About six years ago he was employed as a clerk in the railway department at Christchurch, but was dismissed because he was unable to account for certain

moneys which had passed through his hands. A charge of embezzlement broke down in the Supreme Court. He was subsequently arrested and committed for trial on a charge of grossly slandering the wife of Mr Bates, a cabinetmaker, at Ohristchnroh, but again got off, because Mr Bates did not feel inclined to pay tho costs of the prosecution. Since then he has made a living by keeping books, and doing similar work whenever he could get it. He was occasionally appointed trustee in bankrupt estates, and it is said that it was in connection with these that he embezzled tho funds which led to the charges upon which ha was last arrested. Daring the time he was

at liberty here he told various persons that he committed bigamy when he married the woman who claims to be his wife, but that his proper wife is now dead. He therefore felt himself free to marry Miss Blyth. According to the young lady’s statement it appears that ho told her something of the kind before they left Christchurch. There is, however, good reason to doubt the statement.

The “Chronicle” says:—Miss Bligh is nineteen years of age, and filled the position of teacher at one of the public schools in Canterbury. She is a little over five feet in height, has dark hair, fair complexion, amiable expression, and is decidedly prepossessing. She seems to have been very much attached to Mr Henderson, and declined to return to Christchurch without him. About two o’clock she was able to speak, but only uttered the words “ Sove me, mama,” “Oh ! save me.” Facts have came to light which conclusively show that Mias Bligh willingly partook of her share of the poisonous drug. They partook of breakfast this morning in their own room, and the waiter states that they both appeared to be perfectly calm. Henderson is noted for his coolness and determination, and it is supposed that when he found there was no possibility of his escaping the clutches of the law for these offences he persuaded Miss Blyth to join him in committing suicide. Had it not been for the prompt action of Chief Detective Browne in at once endeavoring to serve the warrant, and his presence of mind and prompt conduct when he ascertained the state of affairs, they both would have been found dead. As an illustration of Mr Henderson’s coolness, it may be added, that a few minutes before committing the rash act, he walked down to Mr Orr’s City Buffet, and paid his account. He acted in a similar manner to the proprietor of the Empire Hotel. The sad affair has created quite a sensation in town, and the matter is the sole topic of conversation throughout the city.

FUETHER PARTICULARS. The “ Chronicle ” of Thursday gives the following additional particulars which have come to light respecting the tragical episode which occurred yesterday at the Empire Hotel. Miss Blyth, many will be glad to learn, is now out of danger. She states that Henderson, on being released from custody, at once suggested to her the advisability of committing suicide. He said that it would be impossible for her again to return to Christchurch without being subject to slander and disgrace. For himself he preferred to sacrifice his life rather than bear the ignominy of a felon’s doom. He had embezzled money, which would surely result in his imprisonment were he to stand his trial. His life, Henderson added, had been ruined through the conduct of his first wife, who had. proved unfaithful to him and had run away. This occurred many years ago, and since then he had neither seen nor heard of her. He married a second time, but he had not experienced symptoms of love for his second wife, and this lead to unhappiness. He wished to commence tho world anew, and for that purpose was seeking a new field in San Francisco, •whither he was bound when arrested. In his presence Miss Blyth, tho unfortunate victim of tho wretch’s machinations, seems to have had no control over herself, and was totally unable to resist his wicked and insane proposal. Ho had premeditated the catastrophe, for before leaving Christchurch he had armed himself with a six-barrelled revolver, with which it has transpired he intended to shoot Mies Blyth, and then blow his own brains out. Luckily this scheme was frustrated, through the acuteness of Chief Detective Brown in taking possession of the instrument. It is also thought that the fatal strychnine was brought from Christchurch. It will be seen that the diabolical and awful act had been premeditated. Miss Blyth never lost her consciousness, and states that they had taken the poison only five minutes, when the detective arrived. A feeling of dimness seized her, but she recollected seeing Mr BroVn enter the chamber, and narrated all that subsequently transpired. She inquired whether Henderson was dead during last night, and upon Mr Brown replying that ho had been taken to the hospital in a dangerous state, and was not expected to recover, ehe said she did not care to see him again, as she recognised her folly in being persuaded by him to have acted in the manner she did. Again, this morning, Miss Bligh asked about Henderson, but it was thought advisable to wait until her mother reached Wellington, and allow her to break that news. When Detective Brown arrested Henderson, that officer was very much struck with the likeness he bore to a noted character he had seen twenty years ago in Bendigo, and after a few questions had been answered on both sides, sure enough he proved to be the same man, who had been dismissed the Victorian force for certain irregularities. From Victoria Henderson went t«i Sydney, and was for some time employed in the New South Wales police force. One night a row occurred in a brothel, and Henderson, with several other constables, rushed the house. On getting inside the lights were suddenly extinguished, and in a struggle which ensued one of the constables got struck a severe blow over the head with a brass candlestick. At an inquiry which was afterwards held, it was proved that Henderson struck his fellow constable, and was here again dismissed the force. From thence he came to New Zealand and his career in this colony has certainly been an extraordinary one. A clerk in the Railway Department, he embezzled the funds; a trustee in bankruptcy, he appropriated money and absconded with a gold watch ; a member of an education board, he leu an innocent teacher astray ; a married man, he married a second time while his wife lived ; and because he was cornered in endeavoring to ruin his third victim he made an attempt attempt to take her life by poison, and then brought his own miserable and base career to a close by poisoning himself. Taking all into consideration, perhaps it is well that Matthew Henderson died as he did.

Friday’s “ Pest ” says : —Throughout the whole of yesterday Mies Blyth continued to progress steadily towards recovery, and to-day Dr. Diver pronounces his belief that, unless some unforseen circumstance should arise, his patient is now out of danger. Yesterday afternoon she desired the nurse attending her to procure a newpapor. Suspecting the motive that prompted her to make the lequoet, Dr. Diver, who was present at the time, asked the nurse to retire, when he said, “ I suppose you want to see Henderson ?” Miss Blyth replied affirmatively. “ You will never see him again in this world,” continued the doctor; “he died before we took you from the bed.” The intelligence did not startle her to any perceptible degree, and she merely remarked “ I thought so.” She has since stated that Henderson occupied nearly two hours in persuading her to take the poison, assuring her that life would be extinct in a couple of seconds or so afterwards, and pointing out that if she refused to do bis bidding ohe would be disgraced for ever. We have been informed by Mr E. W. Lowe, the resident secretary of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, that Henderson insured his life in the society for the sum of £IOOO on the 14th August, 1879, but that in terms of the policy the assurance is void, he having committed suicide within one year and thirty days from the date of the policy. The clause in the policy runs thus—“lf the assured shall, whether sane or insane, die by his own bands within one year and thirty days from the date hereof . . . . then and in any such case this policy and the assurance hereby made shall be void.” If the deceased man had waited till the 15th September next the society would have hod to pay over the amount. It now also transpires that shortly before the tragedy the deceased endeavored to obtain strychnine from Mr Barraud, chemist, saying that ho wanted it for the purpose of

killing cats, but was unsuccessful, Mr Barraud’s assistant stating that he could only let Henderson have the poison by going through the legal formalities. Tho deceased man and Miss Bligh arrived in Wellington, as already stated, on Sunday last. A Christchurch clergyman telegraphed to a minister residing in Wellington telling him of what had taken place, and asking him to induce the young lady, if possible, to return to her sorrowing parents. The

clergyman immediatelv sought them out, and in a manner that does him the highest credit, used hie most earnest endeavors to persuade the erring girl to return to Christchurch. It is also stated that a most affectionate telegram was received from tho mother, imploring her child to oome back, and all would be forgiven. The unhappy girl seemed overcome by these entreaties, and promised to go back. She said, however, that she must take bet farewell of Henderson, I Unfortunately she did so, and at once the 1 old infatuation was renewed, and all her good

resolutions seemed scattered to the winds. When the man was arrested she went all over the town to obtain bail for his release, and remained with him until the dreadful tragedy narrated above took place. The authorities have decided to lay a criminal information against Miss Blyth, which will positively come on for hearing early next week.

THE INQUEST. At the Morgue this (Friday) morning, before Dr. Johnston (City Coroner) and the following jury, fin inquiry was instituted into the circumstances attending the death of Matthew Henderson :—Messrs J. O. Lord (foreman), John Watt, W. Hawthorn, G. Wakeford, L. Wilson, John Hayes, Jas. Hay, T. GK Ward, J. Gallic, H. Cook, W. Littlejohn, B. Lyon, and A. W. Barber. The jurors haring proceeded to view the body, evidence was then taken, of which the following is a summary: — Dr Diver deposed that he was sent for about 20 minutes past 11 on Wednesday morning, and then went on to describe the manner in which the deceased and Miss Blyth were found in the bedroom, as already reported. The young lady was rigid, lockjawed, purple about the lips, and with flushed face. The deceased was also purple about

the lips, and was loudly calling for water. Seeing that Miss Blyth’e was the worst case, he took charge of her. He saw Henderson die, asphyxiated. Miss Blyth slated that she and deceased took strychnine about 10 minutes to 11 o’clock, or 10 minutes past that hour—she could not recollect exactly ; and that deceased took the strychnine out of a little blue paper packet by means of a penknife, and mixed it in two tumblers of emonade. Deceased died from strychnine poison.

Dr. Robert Harding said he was called upon by Detective Browne shortly after 11 o’clock that morning. He brought some sulphate of zinc in his pocket, thinking it might be wanted as an emetic. He gave it to Dr. Diver, who came into the

room shortly after witness. Dr. Diver mixed it in warm water and gave it to both patients. Deceased had sunk from the effects of the poison more than the young lady. Henderson died at seven minutes past 12, death being caused by asphyxia, the result of strychnine poisoning. In witness’s opinion, the deceased had taken a larger dose than the girl.

Jacob Lichtscheindl, proprietor of the Empire Hotel, deposed that the deceased and Miss Blyth came to the hotel about a quarter past 1 on Tuesday afternoon, had lunch, and left an hour afterwards. About 6 o’clock, they returned, had dinner, and said they intended to remain till next morning. In the morning they had breakfast, and sent the waiter down for their account, which they paid. Deceased told the waiter that they might return again for lunch, but he

was not quite sure. Dr. Oollins was called about 11.30 a.m, on Wednesday. On arrival at the hotel he found M.sa Blyth conscious. Deceased was in strong convulsions and livid in the face. Deceased was undoubtedly in the worse condition. Erom the symptoms, it was apparent thht tho deceased took the larger dose of strychnine. Both patients received the same mode of treatment.

Joseph Greening, a young man, said he was a porter at Orr’s City Buffet, at which piece deceased and Miss Blyth lodged from Sunday till Tuesday. On Wednesday morning witness went to the Empire Hotel to present his account for porterage, This was at about five minutes to eleven. He knocked at the door -of the room occupied by them, but received no answer. On knocking again Miss Blyth opened the door a little, and he handed in his account. She took it to deceased, who gave her the money to hand to witness. The lady appeared as if she had been lying down for awhile. Detective Charles Townley Browne, chief detective of police, next gave evidence as to the discovery of the parties lying on the bed at about twenty minutes past eleven o’clock. He at once set off for a doctor, ’and on his return both were in convulsions. Deceased exclaimed —“ My God, my God, save me ! Water! water!” Miss Blyth moaned out, “Oh, ma! oh, ma! Save me!” Witness took possession of deceased’s effects. There were two tumblers in the bedroom, which, however, wore then empty. They were standing on the table. On the drawers he found two letters. One was addressed to “ the person calling herself Mrs Henderson, Peterborough street, Christchurch. My dying request is that it may be made public.” The other was addressed to “ Mrs Blyth, Chester street, Bast Christchurch.” They were then read as follows:—

“ Wellington, 17th August, 1880.

“ This letter is to be given to the person in Christchurch calling herself Mrs Henderson.

“ You have produced a certificate of marriage and laid an information against me for deserting you. In the first place you knew I was going away because I told you, and I also told you that I was not coming back to Christchurch any more. And, secondly, you know that you are not my lawful wife. When you enticed me into marrying you I bad a wife to whom I was lawfully married, which you knew, and I left England to escape a prosecution for bigamy. I sinned, but repented long ago, and, although you deceived me, I stood to you, and, for the sake of the two children, have submitted to a life of agony, of torture of the worst description, from you, a woman twenty years older than I am, a shrewd, calculating woman, a modern Jazebel of the lowest type and worst description, a regular attendant at church and partaker of God’s sacrament, but a hypocrite of tho very worst kind. You devoted your life to ruin me, and now you have accomplished it both body and soul, as you hope; but I am not afraid to trust myself to God’s mercy. Oh, when I think of the past and of your hypocrisy, how you have tortured me in your quiet, nagging, and uncharitable words —cruel words—which I have seldom answered, and how you have led the outside world to deem you an angel of light, and how you have succeeded, it makes me think there surely cannot be a God cognisant of such cruelty, such sin, or He would never have allowed it. I am now going to die, and I leave you to tho remorse of conscience—it you have any—that you are my murderer. Yes, you have murdered me—for I told you I had sinned—that every man’s hand had been against me, and what a hard struggle I had had to keep the home together, and to make you and the children comfortable, and I told you it I was stopped it would be my ruin ; and you promised me you would say nothing. At the same time you were glorying within yourself how you would gloat over my downfall. What is it that is in you—it cannot be lust, at your time of life, sixty years of age ? May God forgive you as Ido —the dear children whom in years gone by I have loved, but whose affections you have weaned from mo, and who, although you have taught them to treat me with contempt, are old enough to have seen your treatment of me, and will yet live to curse you. I cannot say any more, so good-bye, and may God yet bring yon to your senses, and in His great mercy forgive you for Christ’s sake. Amen. (Signed) “M. Hendbbson.” The other, also in Henderson’s handwriting, ran as under;—

“ Wellington, 18th August, 1880.

“ My dear Mrs Blyth, “ I deem it my duty to ask your forgiveness, and to state that I am not the villain you would believe me to be. I took your daughter from you, but I love her and she loves me, and it is the first time in my life that I have known what love is. It will bo necessary for me to go somewhat back in my history, and explain to you that when very young I got married to a young lady whom I thought I loved, and we lived happily together for three months, when she eloped with another man. I sold off my home, and went to lodge with a widow, who had three children —a shrewd, calculating woman of the world, twenty years my senior. I was very young and very foolish. She enticed me into marrying her, and I did—committed bigamy —and to escape the consequences I had to leave Hugland. I could see my folly almost before the ink was dry that signed the marriage register, and although I repented I stuck to my bond. I done my best for the woman who had deceived me, and for the past fifteen years have submitted to a life of torture at the hands of a woman who calls herself Mrs Henderson. No need for me to tell you more of this. I met your daughter, and knew what pure love was. You saw it and have seen it all along, and have spoken of it. Why have you interfered or helped to interfere? We have resolved to die together, seeking and preferring to trust ourselves to G-od’s mercy than to man’s. You must forgive us for Christ’s sake. (Signed) “ M. Hendebsok.” In a very shaky hand follow these words:— “ Dear Mother, —Forgive me. Ess my

sisters and brother for me. I may not have loved wisely, but too well.” . Here there is a cross, and the deceased’s handwriting is taken up as follows —“ Good-bye, dear mother. Your erring daughter, (Signed in Miss Blyth’s handwriting) “ M. J. Blvth.” At the foot of the letter deceased again takes up the pen, and writes —“ I wrote from the cross. Jenny could not finish it, but managed to sign her name.” Detective Benjamin gave evidence with regard to deceased's career in Christchurch. The coroner, in summing up, said there was nothing in the evidence to lead the jury to suppose that at the time deceased committed the act he was in a distracted state of mind. It appeared that the deceased had been perfectly unscrupulous and of vindictive mind; and not satisfied with killing himself in order to avoid punishment for his wrongdoings, determined to lead an erring girl to the same sad end. Having pointed out the difference between felo de se and suicide com mitted while the offender was non compos mentis, ho left the jury to consider their verdict. After a short consultation with his fellowjurors, the foreman announced that as there was no evidence with regard to deceased’s state of mind for some hours prior to the act, the jury were not prepared to return a verdict as to his state of mind.

Detective Browne was then recalled, and testified that on the day previous to tho tragedy the deceased appeared to be quite cool and rational. Miss Blyth had since informed witness that she and Henderson had ham and eggs for breakfast on Wednesday morning. Deceased ate heartily, and advised her to follow his example, saying it was the last breakfast she would ever have. After another brief interval, tho foreman stated the jury were of opinion that the deceased died from strychnine, administered by his own hand, but there was no evidence to show his state of mind at the time ho committed the act.

The Coroner defined a felo de se as ono who deliberately put an end to his own existence. He considered the act in this instance had been deliberate enough. Foreman —There’s no doubt as to the deliberation. We are all satisfied as to that. Coroner—Well, there’s no evidence of lunacy. There are only two courses open. Either you must return a verdict to the effect that he committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity, or that he is a felo de se. I cannot take an indefinite verdict.

The Foreman pointed out that there was an interval of nearly twenty-four hours between the time when Detective Browne last saw the deceased and the time of the administration of the poison. The Coroner then remarked that all of a merciful disposition ought to give deceased the benefit of the doubt.

Tho Foreman again consulted his colleagues, and intimated that four jurors were of one opinion, and the remainder held a contrary view; and the Coroner then (at two o’clock) ordered the jury to be looked up. At twenty minutes to three the jury sent for the coroner, and informed him that they were unable to agree upon their verdict. They also wished to know if they could call for further evidenos —the evidence of the waiter who took deceased his breakfast on Wednesday. The Coroner —Not after you have retired to consider your verdict. A juror—What is the consequence ? Coroner—The consequence is, first, that some gentleman who has been smoking here will be fined, and secondly, that I shall now go home, and shall not come back till tomorrow morning, and you will be locked up in this room in the meantime.

The jury were again looked up, and at eleven o’clock returned a verdict “ That deceased committed suicide by taking strychnine, and he is felo de se.”