“THE SHOCK OF HER LIFE”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 97, 19 December 1912, Page 7

“THE SHOCK OF HER LIFE”

MARION’S DOUBLE TRAGEDY

TEMPORARILY INSANE

(Per Press Association .)

Marton, December 17

At the inquest on the victims of the Marton tragedy the father of Urquhart stated that his son was worried, and did not sleep. His son and his wife lived happily till he came to Marton. His wife Had taken Court proceedings, which were afterwards quashed. The girl and he were photographed together, and this led to Ids wife applying for a separation. His son told him that lie represented himself to his victim as a single man. He was 28 years old. The girl’s brother said that they kept company till they discovered that he was married, when they instructed a lawyer to write to Urquhart, on November 27, forbidding communication, or ho would be prosecuted for libel contained in letters and telegrams. Dr. Scott deposed that he found the man shot in two places, through the stomach and the heart, the last bullet passing through the body and coming out at the shoulder blade. The girl was shot in three places—a flesh wound on the left arm above the elbow, one through the right side coming,out at te left side, and another on the left side at the heart. The shots were fired at the girl at close quarters. From the position of the bodies he believed that they were sitting together when the act was committed.

John Lowrie, the girl’s brother-in-law, said that she had known Urquhart for fifteen months, and he represented himself as single. There was some talk of an engagement, and the parents gave their consent, but wished to know more about him before themarriage, which he wanted at once. About a year ago Urquhart returned to Wellington, and the girl went there as ladyhelp for a month or two. She returned to Marton on account of illhealth, but went back to Wellington, and then learnt that he was married, and she returned to Marton. Urquhart tried to communicate with her by letters and telegrams which contained threats.

Lily Urqnliiirt, wife of tlic deceased, said that she had always been on friendly terms with her husband till .Miss (Jordon came into their lives. Sho accused her husband, who promised to desist, and told Miss Gordon to discontinued the acquaintance, which she refused. She issued a warrant for her husband’s arrest for desertion, but could not prove it. They had two children, a boy and a girl. She knew that her husband represented himself as single. Last week her husband told her that he would give her the shock of her life. After formal evidence the coroner commented on the infatuation of the man, and a verdict of murder and suicide while temporarily insane was returned.

in one of Frquhart’s pockets was found a very voluminous statement, according td one account, covering twenty shoots of paper. He made it quite clear what lie was going to .Marton for. and he detailed everything that had passed between him and the girl since they first met.