The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1893-05-06 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

MURDER AND SUICIDE.  LADY SHOT BY • GROOM. The Vale of Gresford in North Wales was on Monday night the eoene of a terrible tragedy. It aeems that a groom, named Shellard, who had been for some years in the service of the tenants of Holyfield, Gresford, returned home after being away in Liverpool for some time, and after the mistress' Mrs Whittle, had retired to bed, he followed her upstairs. The servant, Prudence Taylor, heard a shot fired soon afterwards, and ran up. She was horrified to find that Shellard had shot her mistress, and upon asking him what he had done, he pushed s revolver he had in his hand against her face, and said if she spoke or stirred he would kill her, too. Her murdered mistress was then lying OD the floor near the bed. The girl being to horrified to speak or stir for the moment, the murderer took the pistol away from her fun, went down on his knees, and offered up what she I took to be a prayer. He then put the revolver to his month and shot himself. Upon this the girl rushed downstairs; but, regaining her courage, she went up to the room again, and there found the bodies of both the murdered and the murderer lying side by side on the bed. Shellard had in the meantime cut his victim's throat, whether because he saw signs of life in her after he had shot her, or to make sure of killing her, it is impossible to say. The razor with which he inflicted the wound was  lying near the bodies. Further particulars tend to show that the tragedy was premeditated, a letter found in the possession of Shellard stating that he intended to kill Mrs. Whittle and himself. The murdered lady, the wife of a gentleman residing at Chorley, near Manchester, had been living apart from her husband for six weeks or two months at Gresford, where she had been sent by her husband in consequence of her conduct with Shellard, who had been for some years in her parents' employ. Mrs. Whittle was 28, and Shellard about 40 years of age. It is now stated that Mrs. Whittle was murdered in the presence of her companion, Miss Taylor, who ran upstairs in response to her mistress's cry. Shellard threatened that if she raised any alarm he would blow her brains out, and after compelling her to draw down the blinds of the bedroom window he shot Mrs. Whittle in the face, and afterwards took a razor out of his pocket and nearly cut her head off. He , then put the revolver to his mouth and shot himself. He fell beside his victim, and Miss Taylor jumped over their bodies and ran out of the house, shouting for a policeman. The murderer and his victim were in Liverpool a fortnight ago. The police are in possession of the premises where the tragedy occurred. The inquest took place on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Whittle said the last time he saw his wife alive was on April 25, at Holyfield, where she had lived for about six weeks. His wife left Chorley for Gresford because he desired it. He had heard that a groom named Shellard, who had had business transactions with Mrs. Whittle, had also left Chorley, and had been seen in Liverpool with her. Witness went to see her at Gresford, and charged her with being in Liverpool with Shellard. She wanted to make up matters; but he told her it was impossible. After that Prudence Taylor, who lived with Mrs. Whittle as companion, said Shellard came to see Mrs. Whittle the day after Mr. Whittle was at Holyfield. bars. Whittle told Shellard to go sway , and that if he did not leave she would have him put off the premises. Shellard then left. In consequence of telegrams received from Shellard on May 1, Mrs. Whittle and witness met the 25 minutes lest 2 p.m. train at Gresford. They joined Whittle in the train, and went on to Wrexham to see about a horse. They all returned to Holyfield in the evening, and the tragedy took place soon afterwards. Other witnesses having been called, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that Shellard maliciously murdered Mrs. Whittle, and the inquiry was adjourned in reference to Shellard himself, with the view of obtaining further evidence of identification and as to his state of mind.