Weekly News. — 1890-08-07 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY IN SOUTH LONDON. 'lit  A startling dinovery was made on Friday night at New Cross, when the wife of Dr. Knowlson Townsend, of 168, Lewisham High-road, was found lying dead at 14, Park-road, Antersham-road, New Cross, by the side of the dead body of Mr. De Is Molts (whose name, however, dom not appear in the Medical Register). Some years ago Dr. Townsend, who ii a handsome and robust man, took a medical practice at the corner of Manor-road, New Cross, living them in apparent comfort with his wife, and making himself personally popular throughout the neighbourhood. His was a well-known form in New Cross, and his company was welcomed in many local circles. Mr. De la Motte is • comparatively young man, of fair complexion, clean-shaven, except in respect to a reddish moustache, and of somewhat Stout build. A familiar visitor to Dr. Townsend, house, he was regarded more like a brother than a stranger. Dr. Townsend's two boys, aged 9 and 11 respectively, testify to this by the freedom with which they were wont to treat him: _ _ .  Dr. Townsend had, however, recently determined to retire from medical practice in this country. and to leave, with his wife, for the United States. Dr. Beard then occupied the house in the Lewisham - road, and at/ended Dr. Townsend's patient.. About 10 weeks ago, when this arrangement was made, • suite of rooms wee taken by Dr. Townsend in the house tenanted by Miss Ann Oracknell, 14, Park-road, in which he and his wife were to reside until their departure. Here they lived until Friday evening, when the doctor left hom• in the best of spirits to iiin the steamship Ludgate Hill, which sailed fib New York the following morning. Mrs. Townsend was to remain behind in order to see the bliggege safely despatched, and to go on board on Saturday. An hour after the doctor bad left two men drove up to the house in • cart—one • carman, and the other a friend who had come over to assist with the boxes—for the purpose of conveying the luggage to the Albert Docks. On making their bovine*/ known they were at once admitted, and proceeded under direotions to the back bedroom on the first-floor. Upon entering the room, the carmen noticed Mrs. Townsend lying on the bed fully d d, but apparently asleep, and De la Molter in an insensible condition half - way under the foot of the bed. One of the men called attention to the peculiar colour of Mr. De la Motto's skin, felt his pulse, which was still, and sop d the opinion that he was dead. An attempt was then made to arouse Mrs. Townsend, but it was unsuccessful, and the fact then dawned upon those present that they were in the presence of death. Dr. Mitchell, who lives at the corner of Park-road, was at once sent for, but was not at borne. In his absence Dr. Esard was summoned, but what opinion be expressed as to the cause of death has not been divulged. Poison, it is believed, was used for the commission of the crime, as there were no mark•of violence observable on the bodies and no indication of a struggle in the bedroom. As soon as the tragic oc,iirrence was kn own the police were communicated with, and possession was taken by them of the room. It appears that upon Dr. Townsend leaving bis wife on Friday afternoon he did not proceed to London, but went to 127, New-cross-road, at which Mr. Dale Motte and I gentlemen who were friends of his and Dr. Townsend lodged. More Dr,,Townsend met some of his friends from the counter'. Ile saw De la Motte at the house at half past 5 o'clock, and thus, while Dr. Townsend was under De la Motto's own root, Ds la Motto went forth on the visit to Mrs. Townsend which had so fatal • termination. It was at this house that Dr. Townsend received the first news of the death of his wife and Mr. De la Motte. For the present he and his children have taken up their residence in the house in which Dela Mott* lived. _  noticed  On Saturday afternoon Mr. E. A. Carttar, coroner for Wee Kent, opened his inquiry at the Brown Bear, High-street, Deptford, the names of tile deceased having been returned to Inni as Louise Townsend and William Deli Motto. The bodies were viewed in the mortuary clove by. It was noticed that they presented similar morbid app-arances, dark violet markings being obeervaii:e upon the oiliest of the man and the face and neck of this woman, and behind the ears of both. The woman, who was 33 yeara of age, wax of medium height, dark and handsome, and the nian, who was five years her junior, hail been apparently of fine physique, and preposse-eing. Formal evidence of identity having been give*, the inquest was adjourned for • post-mortem examination of the bodies.  On Monday, Dr. Forsyth, of Greenwich, conducted • postini rtem examination upon the bodies of Mr. De In Motte and Mrs. Townsend at the mortuary, Deptford. There were also present the North Kent coroner (Mr. Carttar) and Drs. Ezard, Roper, Shoat, and Taylor. The coroner said he mutt decline to allow anything to go forth till the resumption of the inquest. Thu affiiir seems ti ne now generally regarded a/ • double suicide, and the further investigation is left in the bends of the coroner's othoer, who. making such inquiries as will enable him to put all possible farts before the coroner •t the adjourned inquiry. With a view to the discovery of letters or any other material document, it is intended, it is stated, before the resumption of the inquest, to open Mr. De la Mutte's boxes, which are at present under leek and key.