BRIGHTON GAS TRAGEDY.

REMARKABLE LETTERS.

The reading of some remarkable letters formed the feature of the proceedings at the opening of an inquest in Brighton yesterday, and the circumstances were the more remarkable in that the woman in the case was the wife of the man’s younger brother, separated from him; and the man had also separated from his wife and family. The coroner and jury were inquiring into the circumstances of the death of George William Hibbert, 38, a boot manufacturer’s manager, of Kettering. The coroner stated that deceased and a woman named Maud Hibbert went to Brighton on May 3, and lived as man and wife at a room in Queen’s-road. About 10.30 on the morning of the 10th, the landlady’s representative went into the room and found the couple lying on the bed. A piece of tubing was attached to the gas chandelier, and the other end was between the man and woman, and the gas was turned full on. The man was dead, and the woman, now in hospital, had not sufficiently recovered to attend the inquest. Some letters were found, which suggested that they had mutually agreed to commit suicide. “The law is very plain on that,” said the coroner. “If two persons mutually agreed to commit suicide, and only one dies the survivor is guilty of murder.”

Maud Mary Hibbert, of King’s-road, Kettering, identified the body as her husband. About 18 months ago, she said, Maud Hibbert, her sister-inlaw, separated from her husband, and went to live near them. Deceased became very friendly with her, and witness separated from her husband.

John Brown Hibbert, Mill-road, Kettering, brother of the deceased, said Maud Hibbert was the wife of his brother Arthur, and divorce proceedings had been commenced.

Evidence of the finding of the couple was given, and a constable produced letters he had found on searching the room. One addressed to Mrs. Briggs, Grand-road, Kettering, began:

My dear Mother – No doubt this will come as a great shock to you, but believe it is best so. Neither of us can go on without each other, which you know is impossible, so we decided what we think is best… If you feel inclined to blame Billy get rid of the idea right away, for we are both of the same mind

In a letter written by the dead man to Mr. J. T. Hibbert, his brother, the deceased wrote:

We have had a glorious week together, and are supremely happy. Now the time has arrived for me to put my house in order before I go hence... We have just lived this time for one another, knowing full well the final consequences which we are both prepared and willing to take.

The inquest was adjourned until next Thursday.