The Northern Guardian. — 1892-06-01 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

THE. TERRIBLE PARRICIDE AT LEAMINGTON.  A SON'S VENGEANCE.  As briefly announced in our editions yesterday, a terrible parricide was perpetrated at Leamington. Mr. James 14 rederick Greatrex, a retired leather merchant, aged 76, late of Walsall, Staffiwilehire, was leaving his house, Moss Close, lily's Cliff Road, Melverton, about half-past eleven, in company with his late wife's sister, for a walk into Leamington, when his son, William Earnest lAreatrex, aged 37, who has been living at 45, . Clifton Road, St. John's Wood, London, rushed up an entry, and ejaculating a threat, fired at his father, the bullet striking him in the breast and penetrating the heart. The old man swerved round towards his companion, and the son fired a second time, striking the father, alrea,dy fatally wounded, in the back as he fell to the groom. The murderer stood looking at him, and a constable who was at hand appeared in time to ace smoke issuing from the barrel of the revolverheld by themurderer, who immediately haoeled the weapon to him, and was taken into custody without resistance. Mr. Greatres, who was taken up dead, was possessed of considerable wealth, and had lived in Leainington someyears. The son evinced a roving disposition, and had been away from home for a long time. There had been considerable ill-feeling between him and his fattier about money matters. He had made frequent appeals for assistance beyond his allowance, and these had been granted, hut at length the father refused to give him any more. The son purchased a revolver in London, and went on Monday to Warwick, and thence to Leamington, and lay in etefteordh i;:i.f.saotnh;yr.remWahrr biirnrges that wished had time to procure arsenic. The occurrence hchoaaldsi created a painful sensation. An eye-witness states that Mr. Greatrex, on catching sight of his son, commenced to run, whereupon the accused fired, and following his father quickly came almost alongside of him, firing a second time. Deceased fell dead on the roadway, and the accused remarked, "I have got him with the second shot." When apprehended he remarked, "it ought to have been done years ago." He handed the revolver to the policeman, saying, "It's all right, officer ; I did it." The inquest will be held on Friday. Prisoner .will be brought before the magistrates to-day. On his way to the police station he was very communicative to the constable. He admitted the crime, and expressed satisfaction at having committed it. The police me watching him closely, fearing an attempt at suicide. He has conversed with the officer on duty as to his relations with his father. He was not satisfied with the allowance he received, but his father would not increase it or receive him at home. Since the quarrel which led to his leaving home he has travelled over the world. In America he had an attack of fever and dysentery, which, it is thought, may have affected his brain., but since the terrible occurrence he has behaved with remarkable coolness. A labourer, in a public.house almost opposite the scene of the murder, saw the prisoner fire the first shot. He rushed out and seised the prisoner by the arm, but too late to prevent the second shot. A sum of money amountuig to £2O was found on him.