Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-12-15
Thc Ardlamont Mystery.

The Ardlamont Mystery.
What is know as the ''Ardlamont
Mystery has been agitating all Eng
land since the alleged commission OF
the murder of Lieutenant Windsor
Cecil Dudley Hambrough early in Aug
ust last. Many theories have been ad-
vocated for and against the allegation
that the young lieutenant accidentally
shot himself
The trial is now in progress in Edin-
burg. The accused is Hambrough's
friend and sometime tutor and Lon
don comrade, Alfred John Monson, a
man with history The lieutenant
was discovered dead with gunshot
wounds in the back of his head in the
preserves of the estates which Mr..
Monson had gone from England to pur
chase Mouson. it is said, had invited
young Hambrough TO this place-Ard-
lament. An examination disclosed
the fact that the pellets which killed
the militia officer were from Monson's
gun. Monson subsequently, explained
that after they had left the house that
day to 90 shooting together they had
exchanged guns. 1t was at first sup
posed that Hambrough had tripped and
in consequence his gun had exploded
as he fell. But tree near where the
body was found was discovered to have
ceived some of the charge just about
me height of mans head from the
ground Monson said he parted COM
pany with his friend just before the al
legged accident.
But the most mysterious thing about
the affair is this: They were accom-
panied by au attendant, Edward Scott,
who disappeared the day following the
tragedy and the police have failed to
get the slightest clew to his where
abouts after publicity in newspapers
all over the world. Scott carried the
game bag, but no gun. This young
| EngIishman was the engineer on Ham
brough's steam yacht. One story Is
| that Scott is a person well known in
metropolitan music halls rs an expert
shot, whose business is trick shooting
with saloon firearms. Tie was last
seen in the company Of MonsOn. 1t
transpircd that week previous to the
shooting fatality Mr.. Hambrough had
insured his life with Il New York life iu-
surance company, through their elias
Cow office, for 100000 the allegation
being that at the time of Mr. Ham
| brough's death the policy was i'll course
of being signed to Mr.. Monson, while it
is rumored that the deceased was nego-
tiatng with an Edinburg Office for a
! fifty thousand dollar policy.
4 curious instance of legal procedure
was afforded n few weeks ago when
Mr. Henderson, the deputy Sheriff
Clerk of Argyllshre, journeyed from
Inverary to Ardlamont and LETT
at the house there copy OF
the indictment for Edward Scott, or
Davis or Sweeney" that being his last
known residence iu Scotland. All over
Scotland posters headed Murder" in
large, black letters are exhibited out
side the police Offices asking informa-
ton as regards the whereabouts OF Ed
ward Sweeney, alias Edward Davis,
alias Edward Scott, known in racing
circles as Tied Davis or ''Long Ted.
Mr.. Monson is about thirty years OF
age. but does not look more than twen-
ty-fve. Tall and erect, he is clean
shaven and. with his clear cut features,
might pass for an advocate at the Scot
tish bar.
London truth has published the fol-
lowing curious items in connection
with the LOW celebrated case
Whether Mr.. Monson is guilty or
not of the murder of Lieutenant Ham
brough is a matter on which jury
will have 10 decide. In Italy, how
ever ii would be believed that he is
! jettdtOre-that is to say, person VINO,
lar attribute Of bringing some mistor-
tune Oh others wherever ne goes. The
only way for any one brought in con-
tact with such person to avoid i'll con-
sequence is to point two fingers at him.
Pope Pic Mono was supposed to be 4
jettatOre, and the devout Catho-
lies while asking his blessing used to
point two fingers at him. | remember
once in Nice there was a gentleman
who had this reputation. The Prefect,
being Frenchman, invited him to
ball He soon, however, discovered
that if the iettatore came many others
would not, and he had to convey to
TO him delicately the request not TO ac-
cept the invitation.
"a few years ago Mr.. Monson rented
a large house in the country which was
standing idle. Soon the ricks of hay
there were burnt down. a little later
the stables were burnt, when some
horses belonging to him were nearly
DESTROYED owing to its having been for
gotten until the last moment to open
the door in order to let them out. But
as they were his horses, and the prop
erty of the jettatore himself never is
injured, the stable door was opened by
the villagers Just in time TO save his
horses. Mr. and Mrs. Monson left the
house on his tenure of 1t expiring. but
a servant was left there to bring up
luggage, &C., the next day. That night
the house was burnt down, and jewel
ry belonging to Mrs. Monson was
melted. As, however, it was insured,
the loss did not fall on Mr. Monson,
which would be deemed in Italy an ad-
ditional reason for believing that he has
H.