Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1888-09-01 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

OFFICER SHOT BY HIS SON. : A shocking onurrence took place on Sunday eveni.ng at 13, St. Japes's-road, Surbiton, the residence of Major Hare„ a retired army officer. It appears that his second son, cordon Hare, had for some years caused considerable anxiety to his parents, who on more than one occasion have furnished him with funds to leave the country, but he invariablf returned after a lapse of time, and caused considerable unpleasantness at his father's residence. About months or two years ago, upon returning from Australia, his conduct was SO violent towards his father that the latter was reluctantly oompelled to charge him before the Kingston county justices, and the son went to prison in default of finding sureties for good behaviour. On Sunday evening, in the absence of his father, who was at church, the son unexpectedly cidled at 13, St. James's-road, and asked to see his father. He was reftised admission, and went *away. A few. minutes before eight he returned to the house- 'and waited on the steps leading to the front door, apparently for the • approach of hie father. Aksoon as the latter entered the front gate two revolver shots were heard, shortly followed by a third, the shots having been preceded by knocks at the fresit dam .• A police inspector and a constable were quickly on the spot, and Major Hare was found lying just inside the gate whilst the son was lying across the steps. The son was dead, and the father died in a few minutes. On Tuesday the inquest was held. Mr. Maynard Hare, a banker's clerk, identified the deceased, Thomas Hare, as his father, who • was 71 years of age, and a major on the retired list. Gordon Horace Hare, witness's brother, was 34 years of age, and followed no occupation. In his earlier days he was sent out to America. Witness last saw his brother on Saturday when he was living in Bayswater. He called upon witness and said it was a matter of We suid death, but he made no direct threat against his- father. On Friclay. he ehewed witness some cartridges. He seemed to think that hid; relations should give him •money even if they impoverished themselves.-Be was always very violent, and had been locked up for tlgratening his father, He had been forbidden the house. He came -there on Friday evening, however; and asked for witness, and his father merely led him quietly down the steps, telling him that he was a , trespasser. Gordon WWI not given to drink. He was allowed a guinea a week, which he accepted with acorn. Witness was not at home when the tragedy occurred. He understood Gordon to say that he hafl latterly been takinga stimulating draught which lie obtained from a chemist —Martha Hobtion, the housernaid,said she had had orders from her master and mistress not to admit Gordon At a quarter-past 7on Sunday evening he knocked at the door, but she did not open it. He was very quiet and tried to open the side gate, which was fastened. The master had gone to church. Gordon walked lip and down for some time, and when the major entered the gate Gordon Called out in an angry tone "Major Hare l" The major did not look up, and a moment later witness heard a report, followed by another. Witness went to the dour and saw the major lying dead on the steps, while the body of the son lay at the foot of the steps.—Dr. M. Owen Coleman stated that, he was almost opposite the major's house when he heard the report of firearras,and directly afterwards another report. He ran across the road just RS the revolver was fired a third time, and then he saw the major lying on the steps gasping and dying. Gordon was quite dead. The major had been shot in the shoulder, the bullet having penetrated the aorta, while the son had shattered the roof of his mouth, death in his case being instantaneous. Police - constable A lfred Mitchener deposed to seeing the two bodies lying on the steps, He removed the revolver froini Gordon's right hand. The weapon was a sixchambered one, three chambers having been discharged.—The coroner said several letters had bee* handed to him, in which the deceased Gordon Hare had written asking his friends for pecuniary ' assistance, but no useful end would be served by reading them. In summing up the case lie said the only gleam of satisfaction to be obtained from this awful tragedy was the fact that the mother and other relatives had been spared the pain of appearing against the murdersr at a trial.—The jury found that Major Hare was wilfully murdered by Gordon Hare, who afterwards committed suicide' whilst in a state of unsound mind.