SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN MAN.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1913, 8 December 1874, Page 3

SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN MAN.

CHESTER. An extraordinary sensation was created in Manchester last evening by the report of a tragedy in one of the clubs of the city. Ibe facts unfortunately more than bear out the rumour. They are these— Mr Alexander McLean, a young merchant in the city, went in the afternoon to the Prince's Club, in Cheipside, of which he is a member, and in accordance with his usual cusiom, resorted to the committee-room for the purpose of writing private letters. Previous to his arrival, Mr. Herbert Thomas Barge, another member of the club, and also a young merchant, had called at the club, and in a somewhat excited manner asked the porter whether Mr McLean was in. Mr McLean hnd not been long in the club before Mr Barge returned, aud being informed that the gentleman he had asked for was now in, went upstairs. The porter saw him enter the room where Mr McLean was alone writing, and before closing the door noticed the two gentlemen shake hands. Scarcely, however, had lie got to the bottom of ihe stair when he heard three pistol shots in rapid succession, and on rushing back to the committee room he saw both gentlemen lying on the-floor, and blood streaming from their heads. The police were at once called in from the detective-office, which adjoins the club, and medical aid was sent for. Before the doctors arrived, however, both gentlemen were dead. Mr Deputy Chief Constable Coathupe made immediate investigation, but no papers were found on the deceased which threw any light on the tragical occurrence. From the position of the rounds and the faot that a sixbarrelled revolver was found in the hand of Mr Barge it was evident thathiejiad shot Mr McLean, and then destroyed himself, but there was [no one within hearing of the gentlemen at the time. Curiously enough the only other gentleman in the club at the time was Mr Barge's brother, who was washing in the lavatory, but he says he cannot assign any motive for his brother's aot. Mr Barge was recently married.