Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1892-05-21 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

LADY SHOT BY HER LOVER  SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER.  On Tuesday the town of Newbury was thrown into a state of excitement by a report, which proved too true, that a tragedy had been enacted in the western suburbs of the town, the victim being a young lady named Stevens, engaged in the drapery establishment of Mr. A. Jackson, Mayor of Newbury, and a young fellow named Ellis Welkin Wynn, who, until recently, had been an assistant to Mr. Garlick, silversmith and watchmaker, of Northbrook-street, Newbury. Wynn, who was a tall slim-built man, about 24 years of age, was well-known, and was a leading member of the Geiidliali Young Men's Club. He left Mr. Garlick'it service a short time ago and went to town. Ho rtturned to Newbury the latter end of last week, and was walking out on Sunday with Miss Stevens, to when be was engaged. He was also in company with a number of his male acquaintances, and appeared in his usual spirits. On Monday he went by rail to Readirg, but returned in the afternoon and went for a drive. He had several weeks since told his Newbury friends that he had had some money left to him, and that he had intended to take a holiday at Naples. Between 8 and 9 o'clock in the evening he called at the Queen's Hotel, and invited several of his acquaintances to partake of a parting glass with hitn, as he was going to town by the last train, which leaves Newbury at 9.50, and that he would start for Italy the next day. His friends wished him bo,i tTie. Having shaken hands with them all, he (pitied the hotel shortly before 9 o'clock, and proceeded to the head postoffice, within a few doors of the Queen's hotel, Ile despatched a telegram as to his return to town. Subsequently he met Miss Stevens and strolled with her along the Enborne-road, past the Grammar School, towards Waliis Farm, where there is now every reason to suppose a strrggle must have taken place, and where the dead bodies of both Wynn and the young lady were discovered at about 19 o'clock Vine' in the road way:, each evidently having been shot by a revolver. It appears that Police-sergeant Holding, of the Barks Constabulary, was walking along the road, which is but little frequented at night, when he stopped to re-light his lamp. In doing so he saw something lying in the road, and he supposed that an accident had occurred, but on further examination he found that a dreadful tragedy had been enacted. Medical men were sent for and soon arrived. It was found that life was extinct, and that there were two shot wounds on the side of Miss Stevens's head, Wynn himself having been shot in the mouth, his teeth having been blown out. Miss Stevens was a fine giewn young woman of attractive appearance, and was a great favourite with her fellow employes. Up to the last Wynn and Miss Stevens appeared to be on the most affectionate tenni, and their shocking end seems quite unaccountable.  On Tuesday an inquiry was held at the Black Boys' Hotel, Newbury. —Evidence was given that a telegram was found in Wynn's pocket sent from Newbury to New Brompton, dated May 3rd, but unsigned, worded: "Do come home; so anxious to see you."—The Town Crier of Newbury proved that on Sunday night Miss Stevens ran into his house, handing him a revolver she hid taken from Wynn, and saying that Wynn had threatened to shoot himself. Wynn followed Miss Stevens into the house and complained of his head. Witness offered hiro a bed. but Wynn said he had engaged a bed at the Queen's Hotel. Miss Stevens took from Wvnn's pocket 32 pistol cartridges. Witness locked the house up and krpt Wynn there until the morning. While wiiVSs stood outside the room door ho heard Wynn rambling, and repeatedly say, stall do it." He was perfectly sober and very quiet.—The jury returned a verdict that Edith Stevens was murdered by Wynn shooting her, and that he afterwards committed suicide by shooting himself. The jury added an expression of or milieu that there was not sufficient evidence to shew that Wynn was 417 unfound mind at the time.