HORRIBLE DEATH OF A BRITISH ADMIRAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2447, 17 March 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

HORRIBLE DEATH OF A BRITISH ADMIRAL.

A mysterious and horrible occurrence is causing great excitement at Falmouth. Captain Louis Hutton Versturme, R.N. , has lived in a pleasantly situated house in tho neighbourhood of Falmouth for some yours past, and has been a popular and much-respocted officer. A year ago he retired from the navy with the rank of Rear-Admiral. His wife resided with him, and his father lived iu the looality. On the fatal evening he dined at home alone with his wife, and was heard to mention to hor how much he had enjoyed his dinner. They retired to the drawing-room, and one of the two domestic servants went out. Half an hour afterwards the sorvant heard screams and groans, and, running to the drawing-room, knocked at the door. Admiral Versturme cried out " Coine in," and on entering the servant saw her mistress at the further end of the room, apparently insensible, and tho admiral in front of the tiro with some weapon protruding from his stomach. The horrified girl ran for assistance, and returned with L)r. Bulmore, who found the admiral to be suffering from three wounds in his stomach, tho wounds being also severe burns. A thin, brass-handled poker, wdiioh had lately been red-hot and was still heated, was by his side, and this had been thrust iuto him three or four times with much force. The unfortunate officer on being removed to bis bedroom Bpoke two or three times, saying, "It was because of the whiskey I did it!" and subsequently, "I am dying ! I commit my body, soul, and spirit to Christ! " There vrere burns on the side of his head,apparently injured when his wife was trying to wrest tho poker from him. Admiral Versturme lingered in great agony through lhe night, and died yesterday morning, in the presence of his father, without, so far as is known, having givan any explanation of tho horrible a/flir. 110 had been walkiug in his garden during the previous day, and appeared fairly cheerful, although he had been lately much depressed owing to the failure to come into a fortune he had expected on the death of a relative.