The Archill Tragedy.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1677, 6 April 1886, Page 2

The Archill Tragedy.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. f UNITED PBESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, Saturday. It will be seen from the following letter, which was found upon Fuller's body by Constable Clark and produced at the inquest this afternoon, that Fuller had fully laid out his plans, and that he deliberately determined not only to commit suicide, but also to murder "the unfortunate girl for whom he had conceived such a violent passion. The let-, t'e'r was written m red ink, and all the characters are evenly formed, thore being no evidence of haste. The notepaper was closely ruled, and m no m. stance had the lines run into each other ; this Droves conclusively that the crime had been carefully premeditated. The following is the letter, which is headed "Friday afternoon," but no date is ap pended :— •' Dear sisters and brothers,— This will be the last time that I shall be able to write to you ; for by the time you get this letter I shall be dead, as I am going to shoot myself to-night. Life is a misery to me now. I love Emily Keeling as no one ever loved before, and she cannot go with me because she is afraid her father would make a row again. If he had consented when I asked him first time this would never have happened. 1 don't think she likes me so well as she did then. It don't matter- where I go, I: cannot stop, and that fa; the reason I could not stop at Henderson's .Mill, so I have made up my mind to, shoot myself, as I cannot live without her. I shall speak to her to-night, and ask her whether she will have me without her father's consent. If she objects, we will both die together. You can divide my money between you and Lizzie. So now I bid you all good-bye for ever. I am your lovinjr brother, Edwabd James Fuller." The following letters were also found m the breast pocket of Fullor'a coat. They are signed with the named <of his victim, and no doubt were written by her. Both letters were written m lead pencil, and must have been carried for some time m Fuller's pocket, as they were almost undecipherable on the outer side ; m fact the greatest trouble was experienced m reading them. It is apparent from these that the unfortunate girl had been clandestinely keeping company with Fuller.. The first letter is headed Monday, but unfortunately there is no date. It is as follows : — "Dear Edward,— l am writing this letter to you on the quiet. My mother told me I was not to write to you. We are going out tonight to a tea-meeting down at the Church! If you are anywhere about I will speak to you. I don't know whether we are going out on Wednesday night, so am verry sorry that I cannot see you, but you know that it is not my fault. Mother says that if father saw me with you he would not let me go with you at all, and she says she will try to make him let me go with you before lam 18. I would go with you if I could, you know that. On Sunday morning I think my father saw you go out, because he said he might be upon the New North Road, and I did not want to be caught. Ido not think you love me as much as you say you do, or else you would not do things that you are ashamed to let me see. I thought it made you look very low to be smoking a pipe. If eyer I hear of you drinking, even if you only taste it, I shall give you up; although it would be hard for me. My mother was very much surprised at you. She would not believe it was you till we got, up to you. Bessie gave me such a scold-' ing on Sunday, but I only laughed at her and told her she was an old maid. You must not be offended; I don't mean anything by what I have said. Please write to me as soon as you can. You must excuse writing, as you know I am unwell, and I am sitting up to write this to you, and I am m ray nightdress, and it is cold. My very best lova to you, and a kiss. I remain, dear, yours truly, Emily M. Keeling." ■: '" Dear Edwurd, — If ever you want to speak to me, or see me about anything, go up to the paddock on Thursday morn\ing, so as father might not see you. I tthink that you seemed rather white or stock. Is anything the matter with you?', I \Joye you , as much and bettor than I halve done before, so cheer up. lam having such a time of it. My father is so \sross and angry ; we can't move or spewk for him. My best Jove to you, and a kip. I remain, yoiu> affectionately, Eiwjftf Kebling, ,