A TRAGEDY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2227, 14 July 1891, Page 1

A TRAGEDY.

ELOPEMENT AND SUICIDE. Adelaide, July 10. Some time ago a young English adventurer named Davidson victimised the tradesmen of this city and clandestinely married the daughter of the secretary to the Board of Health. A week or so later he eloped with his wife’s sister. A cable message from Colombo states that qu the arrival of the steamer thof'e Davidson committed suicide, and «jnce then a second message has been received announcing the death of the girl, but the cause is not mentioned. Colombo, July 10. The steamer Hohenzollern, on which Davidson and Miss Ayliffe eloped, was boarded immediately it arrived by two Police Inspectors, with a warrant to arrest Davidson. The chief steward knocked at the cabin, calling out “You are wanted.” Davidson, who was dressing, opened the door a little, and said, “ I will come.” He shut the door and shot himself with a pistol, and death was nearly instantaneous. Miss Ayliffe, who was only half dressed, threw herself bn the dead man, weeping, but convulsions, evidently the effects of poison, quickly ensued. Davidson had produced two phials of strychnine before shooting himself and had given her one, the contents of which she swallowed. The unhappy girl, who had only just turned 18, was dead iii two hours. An inquest was held, and a verdict of suicide returned in both cases.