THE AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 864, 12 July 1910, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

THE INQUEST

FURTHER DETAILS. Auckland, July 11. At the inquest in connection with the asylum tragedy the evidence showed that Mrs Webster was violent when admitted and had delusions that people were after her. On one occasion she jumped out of the window and ran up the street in night attire. Dr. Beatty, the superintendent of the aslyum, said that not believe Mrs Webster’s husband ever lived in New Zealand. He produced a letter written by Capt. Jones in which he thanked Dr. Beatty for his kindness to Mrs Webster, asking him to overlook what the writer had done, which he thought was for the best. He alone was responsible. It was destiny and had to be done. The letter concluded “ Treat the two legged inquisitive insect with the contempt due to such beings.” Mrs Webster was a sister of Lionel Terry, whose real name is De Tierry. Capt. Jones never showed signs of insanity though he had eccentricities. Three times he appeared at the asylum very drunk. Witness considered him sane. Mrs Webster was bright and vivacious and a great favourite, though feeble-minded.

The assistant matron, Miss Campbell, said that both the deceased persons fell with a thud after taking the poison. Dr. McKelvey stated that both died together five minutes after taking the poison. He found two bottles, one smelling of prussic acid and the other of wine. Capt. Jones never showed signs of insanity. Two long letters, partly sane and partly rambling, from Capt. Jones were read, in which he said that death was preferable to a life of insanity and that the desperate deed would be done at the express wish of Mrs Webster.

Two brief notes were also produced in which Mrs Webster wrote that it was her wish to die with Capt. Jones and she asked him to help her.

She also wanted her children to die and be buried with her. The note concluded “ The world is too rotten and dark.” A verdict was returned that Mrs Webster died of cyanide of poison administered by Capt. Jones.