TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AT

Manawatu Herald, 21 February 1899, Page 2

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AT

Palmerston North. ♦ A MAN KILLS HIS WIFE AND THEN COMMITS SUICIDE. On Saturday, at noon, Palmerston was thrown into a state of excitement by the startling intelligence that a murder and suicide had been committed at the Royal Hotel, says the j Standard. The facts of the case, so far as we can learn, are briefly these. On Tuesday last a young man named William D. McKain, and his wife " Minnie," who had evidently been recently married and were on their honeymoon tour, arrived in from the Lower Hutt or" Masterton, and occupied a room at the Royal Hotel. Everything appeared to be satisfactory until about four o'clock on Saturday when noises similar to two loud blows on the wall were heard in the room they occupied one after another. The two men-servants who slept in the adjoining room called out to the occupants, but received no reply, and the circumstance passed out of their mind. On Saturday morning the housemaid took tea to the room, but could get no response to her knock. Subsequently she made several attempts to awaken them, but with no better success. About 11 o'clock, Mr Hall was informed of the fact that they had not appeared, and went up with the housemaid and knocked several times, and tried the door. He then came over to the police station to seek Sergeant Wilson's advice, but the Sergeant happened to be out of the office, and Mr Hall returned about mid-day, and the Sergeant, accompanied by Detective Henderson, at once proceeded to the hotel, and, breaking in the door, found both the man and woman dead in bed. A revolver lay beside the man, and it appeared quite clear that the deed had been done with this weapon, as the woman had received two shots in the head, one behind each ear, while the man had evidently died from a shot fired directly into the mouth. A few documents were found in the room, including a letter, from Mrs McKain's mother at Masterton, which unfortunately did not give her name, a P.O. Savings Bank receipt, and some photographs of both parties. From these it would appear that the man was about 26 years of age, dark complexion, with very small moustache, and about sft gin in height, and dressed in dark clothes. The woman was of medium height, fair complexion, light hair and blue eyes and about 20 years of age. She wore a light blouse and dark skirt. They were apparently both of the working class. The photographs were quite recent ones, and were taken at Kinsey and Co.'s studio in Wellington. , They were seen walking about town on Friday looking into shop windows but appeared to be of a very reserved disposition. So far as we can learn they did not speak of their affairs to anyone at the hotel, nor make acquaintances in town. So far was their reserve carried that they seldom spoke to each other while taking their meals. The only indication obtainable as to the probable cause of the deed is from a letter left by them addressed to their parents which ran as follows : — Palmerston N. — To my dear parents, and brother and sisters, — 'Tis hard to part from you as I love each one of you dearly, but I ask you earnestly not to give way as " what is to be will be," and rest assured that my dear wife and I will be at rest. If the world should charge, me with cowardice don't lose faith in me, as I have sacrificed my life fer a purpose, and would not bear the brunt of this world alone knowing what trust and faith she has in me. Things may seem black in other different respects, but still keep faith in me as some day your faith may be strengthened. The above written in ink, apparently by a woman, and then followed in ink pencil, in a man's hand — There are some of my things down at the Palmerston station, the family bible is one, also two large boxes, and some tools at the Manawatu station, Wellington. There is one thing my dear wife desires, and that is that we be both buried together if it be possible — bury the two of us together, one above the other — not that I deserve it, but do it for dear Mm's sake. I now ask forgiveness of you all, and thank you all for what you have done for me, and also Willoughby Knight. Good bye. I remain your affectionate, Will, and God bless each one of you. I sorrow for your pain. The following was written on the same paper : — To my dear wife's people, Masterton. — I hope you will forgive me for this crime, I am fully aware of the sinfulness, but I bear it bravely together with my people, knowing we are at rest. It was for a good purpose, however dark things may look. — ' W. D. McKain. The couple seemed to spend all their time at the hotel in their bedroom or on the balcony, only going out for a walk in the morning and evening. When the wife of the licensee remonstrated with them for not using the private sittingroom, the man responded that they were quite content with each other and did not want to use the room. On Friday night, about 10.30, the man went to the dining room as was his custom, to get coffee for himself and wife, and it was noticed that he had his coat off and the white cuffs ot s shirtsleeves turned up. The deceased lady is supposed to be the daughter of Sergeant Price, who died at Masterton on June 9th, 1891, and McKain the son of a confectioner at the Lower Hutt. They were staying at the^AUwrt

Hotel on February the 7th of this year as a receipt of that date has been discovered in McKain's pocket. An insurance policy, in the Citizens Life office, as well as a letter from Mrs McKain's mother were also found amongst their effects, and 3d in coppers appeared to be all the money they had. Three barrels of the revolver were found discharged, the other three cartridges being removed by Sergeant -"V Wilson. Mr Hall has decided to turn the bedroom, No. 11, in which the tragedy occurred to other uses than a bedroom, and to destroy the present oott> . tents. -vj' 1