Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1886-07-31 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

TRIPLE MURDER AND BUIOIDE AT  PENZANCE.  On Wednesday afternoon a shocking crime was enacted at Penzance y a man named James Hawke, who shot his sister, her husband, and the wife of a neighbour, and to complete the tragedy shot himself. The murderer was the son of a shoemaker, and was 52 years of age. He had passed many years in Australia, where he attained some success in the wool trade, and returned to this country s'unit the end of last year. He bad latterly visited Bristol, and came back to Penzance some six weeks ago. He was of quiet and amiable disposition. His sister Mary was many years his junior, and her husband, Charles Wren, shoemaker, was son Of Mr John Wren, printer. They all lived together in Marine-place. The other victim, -Mrs Gerrard, was the wife of a watchmaker in the town. Hawke had been in oonversation with several young men at the bottom of Queen-street, and on going to his house one of the young men who had occasion to go to the same court followed him. Deceased went in, and in a few minutes afterwards shot the sister, and thou the husband. Coming out to the door, he followed and shot Mrs Gerrard in the side. All three 'expired almost immediately. The young man previously referred to spoke to him, when he put up his hand and said, "Stand back." Placing the muzzle of the revolver under his ear, he fired, and tenth:ad in the doorway. The house is situate in a tolerably spacious courtyard behind the Queen's Hotel. The stone steps inside the little iron garden gate were stained with blood, and inside the house the kitchen floor was also similarly marked, and tha entrance into the small backyard was also stained with gore. The murderer and his victims were discovered stretched on the floor side by side in a large pool of blood. Wren was shot in the ' right breast. Mrs Wren bad evidently been shot near the mouth, a portion of the nose having been blown away, as also the upper portion of the mouth. Mrs Gerrard'a body lay to the right of the others. ehe had been struck in the back as she attempted to escape, and had evidently died at once. Supt. Nicholas, with f, sergeant and two constables, was soon on the spot, and Doctors Grenfell, Hooking, and others 4 1 been , about os anddurinnogthtihneg m unc'usrnin' were promptly in attendance, but no sign of life was viable in any of the victims. The mmdeter conversing hsai was noticeable in his manner or appearance. There is no motive known which can explain the frightful tragedy. Mr and Mrs Wren leaya seven, and Mrs Gerrard leaves six children. al co  lioLhowity's Pthui.--Eagy These admirable Pills cannot be too highly vete' elated for the wholesome power they exert over all disorders of the stomach, liver, bowels. and kidneys. They instantaneously relieve and steadily work oak a thorough cure. 2,nd lulls course dispel headache. biliousness, flatulence. and depr..s ;ion of spirits. It is wonderful to watch the daily improvement of the Complexion. as Holloway's Pills purify the blood and restore plumpness to the faoe which had lost both flesh and colour, These Pills combine every excel* %nee desirable in a domestic remedy. The ;nab certain and beneficial results flow from the octet atonal use of this regulating medicine; ono peraons In health, or when following sedentary occupation. will and it an invedenble aperient.  Prinbed and published foe the ftietore, et 1; R. igbreei,bsskbssoQ.Pees, in the County ; of DFbeat. by Deizid Oral& teeidlog althe •___."l-a9-3L1690,