Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-12-05
Selected Miseellaup,
THE LEFT HAND.
How Figured in Mysterious Murder

The murder of DIR. Hunston, of Wisbeach
England, in 1923, presented some very I'M
usual points of circumstantial evidence
DIR. Hunston was a physician and naturalist,
and was wealthy. He lived alone, and was
of somewhat misery habits He had nm
illegitimate son, whom he had brought up
with care, who was apparently worthy
youth. DIR. Hunstons house stood in the
suburbs of the rural town, with trees around
it, Very near to it was:the residence of a
lawyer named Terwhit DIR. funston was
originally very successful surgeon in Lon
don, but during an autopsy he cut his right
hand with an operating knife, and to pre-
vent fatal consequences Immediately sub
mitted to the amputation of his arm. The
dwelling occupied by the doctor had been
purchased many years before the date Of
the crime 10 he narrated. From time Ia
time be had added 10 it, until il was a some.
what peculiar structure. In a wing reached
by five steps from the parior, was the
doctors bedroom; beyond that was his
workshop, and beyond that again, in All
odd angle. hfs study damned into what
appeared passage just begun and left I'M
finished was the desk in which the doctor
always kept - quantity Of loose cash and
some old jewels Of great value, heirlooms Of
the funston family, from which he was de-
scended. A coachman, gardner, and a
groom lived in the yard right below tho
windows Of the doctors apartments, and he
was in the habit Of saying that they gave
ample protection to the dwelling in that di.
rection. In his workshop a large blood
mastiff always slept, and the windows Of
the parlor were supplied with strong shut.
tiers, carefully closed every night When
Lawyer Terwht joked with DR.. funston
about his chances Of being robbed he was
wont To laugh and say that il would require
very expert thieves Ia get an entrance, or
having got an entrance, Ia get out again safe
and sound
II was the 18th Of August, 1923. Young
lIunstOn had returned from college aud gone
to London for visit TO friends Lawyer
Terwhit had sni with the doctor until nine
O'Clock Then the latter saw that his ser
want closed mp the house. and soon after.
ward retired. Dr. lIunston was AN early
riser, and when he failed o. be stirring at
eight O'Clock next morning, surprise was
excited among the DOMESTIC. BY nine
o'clock they were alarmed, and by ten re-
solved TO send for Lawyer 1erwhit and ask
for his advice. The lawyer suggested the
forcing Of the door leading from the parlor
10 the bedroom of the doctor. This WAS done,
and the lawyer and the domestics entered.
4 dreadful spectacle WAS disclosed. DR..
IInnstnn lay ON his bed in his night CLOTHES.
His arm was thrown out ~ a. 10 hang out
over the side u the he'd Ills head lay over
the bolster. and hi throat was cut from
ear 10 ear. An ordinary kitchen knife.
shsrpened like rsnor. lay on the left side
II the bed. and In the bolster on the same
side was cash The door through the
work-rom into the doctors study were
open. The dog lay peacefully sleeping
The desk had been ransscked NJ everything
Of any value There had been difficulty In
opening H. and the person forcing the lock
had worked 10 the right side Of the desk AZ
II stood, fr there were marks on the wal
showing where be had rubbed ~ the white
wash. The windows of all the rooms wen
examined an were fastened except one IA