Weekly News. — 1890-04-17 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN THE WEST END.  A tomb's tragedy happened on Friday afternoon at the Hotel de l'Eurotie, Leicester-square. A young Frenchman neariy murdered a young woman whom he had represented as his wife, and then committed suicide. Two weeks ago the couple, who were well - dressed and evidently people of superior breeding, arrived at the Hotel de l'Europe, and stated that they had just come from Brumnels. They engaged a room, which they occupied as husband and wife. During the whole time they appeared to be on friendly terms, and no one at the hotel had seen or heard of any quarrel between them. The manager of the hotel says the man gave his name as Albert de Guklon, and described himself as an agent, and went out • good deal, presumably on buainees. On Friday the couple took "lunch together, and afterwards called for their bill, which was taken to them in their room. The man told the waiter that be and his wife were leaving that night for Brussels. He ordered the waiter to collie up to the room for the amount of the bill when he rang the bell. The waiter left the room, and shortly afterwards loud screams were heard proceeding from the apartment, followed by the sound of • pistol shot. A Mr. Hoffman rushed to the door, and as he opened it the girl rushed out bleeding from a terrible wound on the right aide of her head. Stephen Stallele, a waiter, appeared on the scene by this time, and the girl was stopped when she had descended the first Hight of stairs. Mr. Hoffman went into the room where Guedon was, but Guedon, who had a revolver in his hand, pointed the weapon at him and threatened to shoot him. Hoffman retired, and had hardly left the room when two successive shots were heard. Hoffman and the waiter then entered the room together, and saw Guedon lying dead, with two pistol shots in his head. The woman was taken to the French Hospital in Leicester-place, where her wounds were dressed. She was afterwards removed to Charingcross Hospital. She was shut in the eyes, one being so badly injured as to necessitate its being taken out. She gives the name of Henrietta Grisse. be Guedon came to London from Brussels about four months ago, and by himeelf. Ile appeared to be not more than la years of age, and gave people to understand that ho had run away from home. He said that his father was a wealthy man, and the lad was certainly well supplied with money at first. Shortly after Lis arrival he sent to Brussels for his sweetheart; and on her arrival the young couple lived as man and wife. be Gnedon was undersized in every way, and bad a very sallow complexion. He was of gentlemanly appearance, and his luggage included a pair of fashionable riding boots. In his pocket welt found a hill of 15s. for the hire of a hack from a stable in dernlyn-street. He also had nearly t 3 in gold and sil er, but this bets known to have borrowed. The proprietor had evinced some anxiety about his bill, amounting to nearly ES, and it has been suggested that a disposition was shewn by Gubdon to find come pretext for getting his luggage outof the house preparatory to hi•journey to Brussels. All this leads to the belief that the unfortunate young man, driven almost to despair for want of, money, had not sufficient strength of mind to confront his financial liabilities, and that ins moment of 1 mental aberration lie resolved to kill both his companion and himself. The eix-eliambered revolver with which die attempted murder and suicide were committed was one which the deceased had eeldently carried about his person for some time. Several cartridges were found louse in his pockets, and a packet of them was discovered in h is box. The unfortunate girl still lingers oust the Charingcross Hospital.