BOY SEES MOTHER KILLED

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1927, Page 4

BOY SEES MOTHER KILLED

j TRAGEDY OX A EAR.M

SYDNEY, July 29. Premeditated murder of a woman

followed by the suicide of her slayer, at

Gulong, Now South Wales, on AYednesday night, added another to the list of murders for the year. Jealousy, it seems, was responsible, the victims being Mrs Lily Taylor, 38, and Arthur Henry Morton, aged 42. Mrs Taylor was housekeeper to Morton, and her-son Frank, aged 12 years lived with them on the farm just outside Gulgong. They were having a meal together at 6.30 p.m. when Morten. who had given no indication that ho intended taking any drastic step, though he had had several recent quarrels with Mrs Taylor, rose suddenly and left the room. It was about the conclusion of the meal when this occurred, and young Taylor, taking a. cup of tea, walked aver to the fire and sat down in an easy chair. His mother was still seated at the table, gathering the dishes together, when an unusual sound caused the lad to look round. To his horror, lie saw, in the doorway. Morton standing with a gun at i his houldcr, pointed towards Mrs Taylor. Before the hoy could do anything to warn his mother, Morton fired, and Mrs Taylor fell across the table, kill, d instantly, apparently. Afraid for his own life, young Taylor ran outside and told a neighbour. When the latter reached tho Morton homestead, it was discovered ihat Morion had carried Airs Taylor's body to the fireside, arranged two pillows side by side and, placing the head of the dead woman on one, lay down lieside her and committed suicide. Aforfo” had placed the muzzle of the gun in bis mouth and the top of his head was blown away. Part of Morton’s skull was found nine feet away. Afrs Taylor told been shot under the eliin and through the neck.

A note left by Morton indicated that bis jealousy was responsible for the tragedy. Mrs Taylor's husband, from whom she had been parted for years, is at present in hospital in Sydney, as a result of a motor accident.