The Sun. — 1844-10-28 (London, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE OF TWO PERSONS. KILMARNOCK, OCT. 24.  This morning, about seven o'clock, as a man and woman were passing along the Irvine river, beneath the Milton-bridge, which is about three miles from Kilmarnock (on the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway), they observed a hat and veil tied on a parasol stuck in the ground, a short distance from the water's edge, and on looking into the river they perceived the bodies of a gentleman and lady in comparatively shallow water, and about ten feet from the bank. Notice was conveyed to Mr. Smith, farmer, at West Gateshead, the nearest house to the spot, who, with his servant, came and assisted in raising the bodies. These were found to be attached by two handkerchiefs (red and white) knotted together, and tied round the arm of each. The bodies were removed to the house of Mr. Smith, and their persons searched, in . order to ascertain, if possible, the names and addresses of the deceased. Both were well dressed and had the appearance of persons moving in a respectable rank of life. The gentleman was dressed in a black coat, black vest. with under satin vest, trousers of dark blue doeskin, with boots. He was of a ruddy complexion, about five feet eight inches in height, gray hair, and apparently near sixty years of age. The lady was about the same age, attired in a black silk gown, a Dunstable bonnet, a boa around her neck, black silk gloves, with a plain gold ring on her finger. In her pocket were a fruitknife, penknife, toothpick, and gold pin, satin pincushion, an eighteenpenny bill stamp, and four postage stamps ; a'so two keys of a trunk, and a watch seal, with the word " Kate" engraved thereon. On the gentleman were found a plaits and rather old fashioned watch, three gold seals attached bya black silk riband, with the letter " B" engraven ; a silver pencilcase, a gold ring on his finger, Is. 6d. in silver, and 2id. in copper, in his pockets ; also a gold toothpick in an ivory case, a pair of old steel spectacles, a two-bladed penknife, a pocket comb, a steel pencil-holder, and a gold watch key. A number of individuals belonging to Gateshead, attracted by the rumour, flocked to the farmhouse, several of whom recognised the deceased as having appeared in the village yesterday forenoon walking arm-in-arm, when • they inquired of the villagers the distance to the river, and whether there was liberty given to walk along the banks. They went on, and were seen in a short time thereafter to return and walk towards Kilmarnock. The watch was found to have stopped at twenty minutes to nine o'clock, and had not been exhausted in the wind. ing up, thus indicating the time when the parties had accomplished their awful purpose. The part of the river where the bodies were found is not above three feet deep, but immediately beneath is a deep pool. The act of self-destruction must have been committed in the most cool and deliberate manner, and their death unattended with any serious struggle, from the position in which the bodies were found. There was not the slightest mark of violence perceived on either of their bodies. Mr. Andrew, Procurator-Fiscal, proceeded to the spot at an early hour, made the requisite investigation into the melancholy circumstances, and this forenoon the bodies were removed to Kilmaurs, to lie there to await any further information that can be obtained. On making inquiry in town, we understand that a lady and gentleman, answering the above description, came on Tuesday eight days to reside at the commercial inn here, having arrived by railway from Glasgow. They brought two trunks, but gave no address. They seemed to have no acquaintances in town, but took frequent walks in company along the streets, and appeared to live most agreeably together—affording no evidence that they were by any means embarrassed in their circumstances, or troubled in mind. Yesterday, after taking dinner, they left the inn about five o'clock P.M., intimating to Mrs. Wyllie that they would probably be late, as they were going to take a moonlight walk, and enjoy the fine scenery of the neighbourhood. The gentleman had been in the custom of visiting the coffee-room and reading the papers in the evening ; he had a. pleasing address, and gave no indication that he was a person labouring under great distress of mind, or in needy circumstances. They paid their bill that day, and no person, so far as is known, has any claim on them in this neighbourhood. In the bedroom remain a brown great coat, a silk pelisse, a small work-box and two leathern trunks, which have evidently been much used. No address appears on any of the articles, and Mrs, Wylie had no opportunity of knowing their names. This extraordinary event has caused a great sensation in the neighbourhood, and all conjecture at present into the motives of the deceased is set at defiance. They lived as man and wife, and, whereever they have come from, have kept their names a strict secret. From the small sum of money found on their persons, they appear to have exhausted their means so tar, but the valuables they possessed could have afforded them the means of livelihood for some time longer.