GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2217, 18 December 1920, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.

The Westminster coroner recorded a verdict of death from natural causes in the case of Shcringhain Alfred Shepherd, retired banker, who was found dead by his valet in Queen Anne’s Mansions, London. When the discovery was made Mr Shepherd was kneeling at his bedside in an attitude of prayer; the light in his room was burning, and ids bed had not been occupied. Death wa- due to heart disease.

The strange case of a woman who is still alive though she has a bullet in her brain, was ..described at the Old Bailey, . when Horace Russell, caretaker of a bank, was charged with attempted murder and attempted suicide. In the. early.morning a daughter of the accused was awakened by hearing a crash, and on going into the scullery found her mother lying on the door, and her father standing by with a revolver in his hand. Counsel said that a bullet was still in Mrs Russell's brain, and it was marvellous (hat she wa- alive. The man had two bullet wounds, and two bullets were still in his head.

Although 6,000 people signed a petition for his reprieve, the sentence of death passed on “Guide," a Swibiton dog, has been confirmed. A further appeal, however, is to be made to a higher Court, and the sentence will remain in abeyance. “Guide," a black and while terrier, had.been ordered to be destroyed on account of his ferocity. But the National Canine Defence League look up the case, with the result that the appeal was heard. During part of the proceedings the dog was allowed to lake a scat beside the counsel for his defence. Mr Cecil Whilolcy. “As a lover of animals,” declared the latter, “1 put the character of dogs on a higher level than the character of men." ?dr Whiteley contended that the dug was mu dangerous, hid only playful —a view supported by several wilno-.se-. He suggested lha( (he Court should order the animal to be kepi under proper control. What is regarded as an unusual psychic demonstration is engaging the attention of New York medical men. Clarence Marsh, of Akron, in the State of Ohio, became ill recently, and was placed under an anaesthetic to ho opera led upon. At (hat.idcntical instant Ids twin sister Clara, who lives with her parents in (lie town of Frederick, in the State of Maryland, 275 miles away, was seized with nausea and fever. The family say that Miss Marsh, a short while ago, bled copiously from the dose. A few days la lex a letter from Clarence Marsh mentioned incidentally that lie had been troubled with an obstinate, case of no-e----bleeding, and it was ascertained by inquiry that it occurred at the same time as bis sister’s. The parents say that whenever the girl catches a bad cold they know (hat her brother is similarly affected.