Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-18
lUARO KILLS HIMSELF
British Army Officer Throws
Himself Before Train.
ACCUSED OF WIFE MURDER
Had Been Acquitted, However, Upon
Proving Alibi.
BIG SENSATION IN LONDON
Leaves Note Saying Body Will Be
Found at Crossing-Couldn't
Face His Son.
ACCUSED OF WIFE MURDER
BIG SENSATION IN LONDON

LONDON, September 1S.-The body OF
Mai Gen Charles Edward Lizard was
found today close to a railroad crossing
near Waterngbury. England He was
crossing the track when he was run
down by train.
Gen. Luard's wife was mysteriousy
murdered the afternoon of August "a in
a desolate wood near Seven Oaks, short
distance outside of London. No trace of
the murderer was found
Mai Gen. Lizard was a retired officer of
the Royal Engineers. He entered the
army in 1857.
There seems to be little doubt that the
general deliberately committed suicide.
The engineer of the train which killed him
says Lizard stepped upon the track in
front of the engine and he was unable
to stop the train in time to avoid running
over him.
There was for time strong minority
public opinion that Lizard himself was
responsible for his wife's death. The evil
dence. however, utterly failed to bear
out this theory, for an alibi that appar-
emily was perfect was established by reli-
able Witnesses. He was met by two or
three persons a mile from the scene of
the crime.
May Have Been Murder.
Fifteen minutes later the pistol shots
fired by the murderer of Mrs. Lizard were
heard by persons who were in the vicinity
of the summer house. Todays tragedy
may, however, be considered to strengthen
the theory that Lizard was the murderer.
Not a ghost of a motive has been dis
covered. but it is argued by some that
the alibi may be explained away by
faulty timepieces. The present develop
ment has caused greater public sensa-
ton In London than any crime has for
many years
Since the murder Cen Lizard has been
a guest of Charles Edward Warde. NJ P.
He left the house secretly this morning,
leaving letter addressed to Mr.. Warde.
in which he said that on account of the
dreadful accusations that had been made
against him he could bear the strain no
longer, and that his body would be found
on the railroad: The letter read:
You will find my body at the Teston
crossing. I am sick of scandalous and
lying reports and cannot face my son.
whom I had decided to meet today.
have decided to end my life. (Signed)
c. e. LUARD."
Police Were Fooled.
Durinf- their investigation of the muir
der the police were the victims Of many
foolish hoaxes and of spurious confess
sions by weak minded physicians. They
are now inquiring into the discovery of a
coat and pair Of boots on the bank of
lake in Regents Park. In a pocket of
the coat was letter stating that the
writer was about to commit suicide be-
cause the Ightham affair has preyed on
my mind. / fired the shots while the devil
was in me-" The police had the lake
dragged, but no body was found.
Gen. Lizard Is said to have been fairly
cheerful last night and appears to have
slept comfortably. He was still in bed
when he was called at 8 o'clock He
dressed quickly and quietly left the house.
Result Of Sudden Impulse.
1t is believed that the suicide was the
result of a sudden impulse. Lizard had
planned to go to Southampton this MORN
ing to meet his son there.
Gen. Lizard. who was sixty-nine years
old, was a retired officer of the Royal En-
gineers and entered the army in 1851. He
was engaged during his long term OF
service in much important work, including
the supervision OF the rearmament OF Gil
braltar. He founded. in 1901, the So
ciety Of Miniature Rife Clubs, and in 1907
the Patriotic Society. Mrs. Lizard was
sixty-eight years old