THE LIDDERDALE CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 298, 9 May 1913, Page 8

THE LIDDERDALE CASE.

"THE KIIA'APPED BRIDEGROOM." The Lidderdnli' cu-c concerns a motion for leave to swear death, arising out of what was known in 1892 as "The Kidnapped Bridegroom" affair. Mr. W. R. Lidderdale, manager of the Ilminster (Somerset) branch of Shickley's Rank, i'i:t(!c liis last true will on March 5, ISBO. He was then engaged to be married to Miss Elizabeth Chapman, who was referred to in tiie will, and they were to liny? been married !>b:iut January 1,1. ] BH-2. On (he morning of Jamiary 8, 181)2, Mr. Lidderdale drew a cheque for I'KttO upon his current account at RtucWev'f) Hank, and left for London. Tie did not return to Ilminster, and on Kelinn'rv ]'). JS!!-». tlirre i-> tlie ohit'i-ii-'- fnlnnns of f-vn-u) 1 »«. don newsp-ip«r-< Cm nrticu: "Li(W>r:H<>. —On .lanrorv .'!;'). on Mi's P. A. H. Vtning's yacht Foresight, William Robertson Lidderdale, of Ilminster, result of an accident on January 8 alighting from carriage in motion." Shortly afterwards Miss Chapman received a registered package containing .CSOO in Bank of England notes, a Christmas card, a marked Jubilee sixpence which had belonged to Mr. Lidderdale, and- visiting cards of Miss B. A. H. Vinlng, with the address cut off. On the back of one of these cards, in Mr. Lidderdale's writing, were the words: 'I was true to yon.'* Searching enquiries were made by Scotland Yard to trace Mr. Lidder.dale,, or find an authentic copy of the certificate of his death, but in vain. In a letter to Miss Chapman, written after arrival ia London, the missing banker mentioned' meeting Miss Vining, an old lover. Every enquiry was also made to trace "Miss B. A. H. Vining," and her yacht Foresight, but without result. No such yacht had ever been registered in Lloyd's Register. It appeared, however, that some timebefore a dandy-rigged yacht of that nam* had been seen off the coast,. and that Mr. Lidderdale had met with an accident while in the company of Miss Vining. Rewards were offered for information aa to either the accident, death, or disappearance of Mr. Lidderdale, and in November, 1007. the High Court of Justice was asked, after a lapse of nearly sixteen years, for leave to swear his death. There weie two insurance policies for £ 1000 ench on the Hfo of Mr. Lidderdale, and an accident policy of £IOOO,