Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1882-05-19 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

AND SUICIDE.  ! A shocking occurrence took place on Friday in the west end of litmtneretnith, in which three children were murdered by their mother, who also indicted severe injuries upon herself, from the effects of which she died in the West London Rosen el • few hour's' terwarde The names of the victims are Knee Gardener, aged four years; Robert Gardener, aged two years; and John Gardener, aged three months. They were the children of Robert Gardener, a gardener, who lived with his wife Eliza, occupying four rooms over a gateway at 3, Theresa-mews, West-end, Hammersmith. Ttie murdered children were discovered by the father on returning home to dinner, shortly after one o'clock. He was first met in the mews by another boy, who asked him if he had seen his mother, as she was not at home. As soon as he got upstairs he saw the clothes of Robert lying on • table in the front room. He called "Elsa" several times and got no answer. He looked through the keyhole of the door of the back TO..M, whioh was locked on the inside, and saw his wife raise herself up by means of the cot, unlock the door in a staggering condition, awl fall on the bed, where she was afterwards found lying between two of her dead chldren. The huslosnd went into the room and was horrified at the sight before him. Two of the childien were lying across the bed with the mother, their throats being out in a fearful manner. The children a ere all undressed, and the baby was lying with its throat cut in bed. The husband immediately went in search of a doctor, and on the way met Sergt. Winston, and t Id hlm that his wife had murdered her children. The ',event procured the assistance of a constable, who went with him to the piece and found a carving knife, much worn, covered with blood. Another knife was fouod in the tied, also a bottle containing a liquid. The sergeent, with the assistance, of Inspector Walsh, cooveyed the mot-ter to the hospital, where she died about four o'clock In the afternoon. At present the bodies of the children remain teethe room tending the gathering of the particulars by ha vector Walters, of the I division, for the informat on at the coroner. No cause can be assigned for the 'hedging occurrence. Acco,ding t ) the information given by the husband he lived most happily with his wife, to whom he had been married about twelve years. He left home at niee o'clock in the morning to go to work, and his wife was then in her usual health. She was also seen by a neighbour half an hour afterwards. at which time sheep ike to her. This appeared to be the last time she was Nen before the dreadful occurrence. The deceased woman was 35 years of age, and the neighbour, speak very highly of hi-r. On Monday afternoon Dr. Diplock held an inquest at Hammersmith. London, on the bodies of Eliza Gardner, 36. and her three children, aged four years, two years, and three months respictively, all of whom were found with their throats cut, in Beaver-street, Hammersmith, last Friday. The woman's husband deposed that on returning home to dinner he found the door of a back los dro en locked. On attempting to force an entrance, his wife unlocked the door and then fell back dying on the bed, where the children lay dead. The jury found that the woman, whilst temporarily insane, killed her children and committed suicide.