Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1906-08-04 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE TWILLINGTON MYSTERY. 6INGULAR CASE.  :MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE AND MURDER OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN. A SPANISH LADY EXAMINED." After this striking heading of the case, the paper went on to say:—" The quiet village Of Twillington and surrounding neighbourhood has been roused from its usual apathy by a most remarkable occurrence. So that our readers ma) follow the case somewhat connectedly, we purpose giving a brief history of this remarkable case, as far as we have had the facts made known to us. Many of our readers will remember the death of the late Mrs Hollerstone, of Haselton Hall; they will also remember that directly after her death Mr I-follerstone closed the Hall and went abroad, ' taking his son with him, who would be a,t that tie-le about fifteen years old. For years little or nothing was heard of them: Occasionally, his London solicitor visited Twillington for a day or so, and then returned. It seems that about ten ' days ago a young lady, a gentleman, and another man, visited the grounds of Haselton Hall, having procured the keys from the old, lodgekeeper, the only sefvant retained, they enterScl the park. The mystery is that though these three people entered the parit, the lady and the man were the enly ones who •returned to the lodge, the young gentleman never afterwards having beep seen alive. The young lady, by name Donna Gracie Santa Sidonia, is now charged with being an. accomplice, together with other persons unknown, in the murder, of Francis Hollerstone, jun., on the afternoon of. the sth of .Septemffer. "The first witness called was Dr. Pasgra,ve, who stated that lour years ago a Mr Hollerstone called upon him with reference to receiving his son is a private patient. He was suffering from strange hallucinations, brought on by a severe fright lie had received whilst climbing the Alps: For twe hours he was. it seems, hanging over a precipice, his whole weight supported by a tree to which he clung. He had to undergo the frightful torture of seeing the tree gradually breaking awaY, which case he must have lost his life, had not a daring mountaineer swung himself over the edge of the chasm and saved him. But the strain on his nervous system, which had never been strong, , was so great that it gradually began to give way; ' and at the time we speak of Mr Hollerstone was advised by an eminent London physician to place his son under the care of Dr. Pasgrave. "Dr. Pasgrave, sworn; examined by Mr Petch, solicitor: "'You had, I believe, for four years, as a private patient, Mr Francis Hollerstone, jun. ?" "'I had.' "I believe Mr Hollerstone, cen., and a young lady called at your establishment a fortnight last Monday—thst is, Monday, the 3rd of this month— and had an interview with you; is that so?' " Quite correct!' "'They questioned you as to the sanity of the mid Francis Hollerstone, and asked your opinion as to his being removed; is that so?'  " ' It is.' "'You gave them your opinion, I believe? Tell , what it •was.' "'I told Mr Hollerstone that, though his son was not usually violent, he was not fit to be at liberty; that is, I explained to them that he had become a confirmed and' adept kleptomaniac—in fact, that he was suffering from an illusion that all things were his, and appropriated them, not that he wished to use them, but that he took a delight in hiding things so appropriated, with so much eunning, that occasionally articles could not be found when looked for; and when they were discovered suoh crafty design had been called into play that. if accident had not brought them to light, they would have so remained hidden: You mentioned these facts to Mr Hollerstone, T believe; adding that, unless he was carefully watched, trouble would ensue?' " ' I did.' " Acting on your suggestion. did Mr Hollerstone decide to hire as attendant one of your .most experienced keepers?' "'He did.' " Tho riesult was that young Mr Hollerstone left your asylum on Monday afternoon; in 'the c;ompatty' of whom?' • "'Mr Liallerstone and Miss Sidania his niece.'