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Cast of Coroners Court assemble, chatting, holding tankards
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Narrator
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Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Blackboys Inn, Bartholomew Street, Newbury. The date is Tuesday 17th May 1892, the time 7.00 o’clock in the evening You are required to hear and see the evidence relating to the deaths yesterday, of two young people: Edith Ethel Stevens and Ellis Wynn. You may have seen them in the town - you will no more.
The first time this evidence was heard the jury were: Alfred Watts, James Leighton Giles, Richard Canning, Henry Smith, James Freebody, Samuel Hughes, William Cordrey, Benjamin Smith, Edwin George Green, William James Swaite and Charles Ball. Local tradesmen, mostly from Bartholomew Street. The foreman was Mr W. Knight.
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Supt. Bennett
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Now please rise for the County Coroner Mr J Cockburn Pinniger
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Enter JCP
All stand
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JCP
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Thank you Superintendent Bennett.
Please be seated
Members of the jury you are just now returned from your visit to Enborne Gate Farm, where you have viewed the bodies which lay on trestles in an outbuilding and seen the place of this great tragedy, about 40 yards beyond Guyer’s Lane, still stained with blood.
Superintendent Bennett Please call the first witness
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Jury nod and mutter
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Bennett
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Call Henry Withers
(Swear him in)
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Bible
HW takes the stand
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JCP
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What is your account?
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HW
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I live at Skinners Green and am a labourer. I were on my way home from Newbury last night at about a quarter past ten and when I got just beyond the turn to Mr Fielders I saw what I thought to be two men lying across the road.
I said: “Hullo there!” and got no answer. I walked on. I did not believe them to be dead. I thought they had had a drop of beer.
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JCP
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Why didn’t you satisfy yourself as to their condition?
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HW
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It weren’t any of my business
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JCP
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Not your business?! Two bodies lying on the road? You do not appear to realise your duty. The proper thing would have been to ascertain their condition, and if you did no more, remove them from the way of any passing carriage.
No more questions!
Next Superintendent
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HW shuffles off stage
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Bennett
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Call Edmund Holding
(Swear him in) Commence!
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EH
(gun in pocket?)
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I am a police sergeant of the Berks Constabulary, stationed at Stockcross. Last night about ten o’clock I was with Sergeant Seagrove near the “Lamb and Flag” in the Enborne Road. I heard the report of firearms in the direction of Enborne Gate Farm. I only heard one discharge. I walked leisurely along the road towards Enborne. About twenty minutes past ten when I got 40 yards beyond Guyer’s Lane, I saw two persons – a man and a woman – lying in the middle of the road.
The woman was lying with her head towards Newbury on her right side. The man was lying about a foot from her feet, with his head towards Wash Common.
I stooped down and saw there was a stream of blood coming from their heads. I thought there had been a trap accident and I walked a few yards towards Enborne. I could see nothing and then turned back. I came as far as the farm, and Mr Wallis junior was outside with a shepherd. They had a bicycle lamp. I told them what had happened.
On the left side of the upper part of the female’s head the brains protruded. I further examined the man and found he had a revolver in his right hand (revolver produced). I felt his pulse and found he was dead. I sent Quelch, the shepherd to give information to Superintendent Bennett (nod in his direction), and I remained with the bodies until he arrived. I assisted in removing the bodies, and searched the body of the male and found this revolver, of course cartridges and other articles in his coat pocket.
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JCP
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And they were?
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EH
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There were two watches, one in his waistcoat pocket and another in his trousers pocket, also 9 shillings and eleven pence ha’penny in money.
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Puts revolver on table, watches too?
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JCP
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Is that everything?
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EH steps back
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Bennett
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No, sir, this was also found on the deceased.
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Produces telegram
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JCP
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A telegram?
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Bennett
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Yes, sir
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JCP
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Please read it
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Bennett
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“Do come home, so anxious to see you”. It was handed in at Newbury at 1.12 on May 5th, and delivered at New Brompton at 1.42. There is no signature.
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JCP
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(to the jury) New Brompton is on the London, Chatham and Dover Line and was where the deceased was staying until recently.
Thank you Superintendent Bennett. Please call the next witness.
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Lays telegram on table
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Bennett
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Call Quelch the Shepherd
(Swear him in)
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Quelch comes on
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JCP
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John Quelch? What do you have to say?
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JQ
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I live at Enborne Gate Farm. And am shepherd to Mr Wallis. Last night about five minutes before ten o’clock when leaving the sheep-fold which is in the fields almost opposite the farm house, I heard three shots fired, but heard no cry. I walked indoors and found that my wife had also heard the shots. About half past ten I saw Sergeant Holding, and with him viewed the bodies of the man and woman lying in the road. Soon afterwards Sergeant Holding sent me to Superintendent Bennett.
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JCP
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Three shots, you say?
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JQ
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Yes sir. There was an interval between the first and second shots, and about two minutes after there was another shot.
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JCP
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Did you hear loud talking?
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JQ
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None whatsoever
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JCP
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Or cry of any kind?
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JQ
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No
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Dr Jenner Clarke
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Would you ask the witness, Mr Coroner, what interval there was between the shots?
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JCP
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Indicates Quelch to answer
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JQ
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The first two shots followed in quick succession, and there was an interval of between two and three minutes between the second and the third. When I first heard the shots I thought it was someone had shot the dog which was about worrying the sheep.
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Maybe a glance towards EH
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JCP
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Thank you. Can we have your evidence now Dr Jenner?
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Dr JC steps forward
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DrJC
(prop bullet)
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I am a registered medical practitioner residing at Speenhamland, Newbury. Last evening shortly after eleven o’clock, a cab came to my house with a request that I should go at once to the Enborne Gate Farm. I called for my partner Dr Wyllie, and we went together. My information was that someone was dying there.
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JCP
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Dying?
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Dr JC
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Yes but on arrival I saw the two persons lying in the road, and both were quite dead. Superintendent Bennett told me they had waited for my arrival, and nothing had been done.(said with approval) I suggested that the bodies should be removed to a convenient place, and they were removed to a shed in the far-yard.
After the removal I found a bunch of keys and a few coppers in the pocket of the woman. I looked about the road, but saw no signs of a struggle.
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JCP
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But it was dark by then?
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Dr JC
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Quite dark
Today, by order of the Coroner (nods to JCP), I and my partner, kindly assisted by Dr Kerby, made a post mortem examination of both bodies. We confined our examination of the woman exclusively to where the shot wounds were. There was a good deal of blood about the face, more especially round the nose and mouth. A very marked swelling on the lower jaw on the left side (points to own left jaw), on the centre of the top of the head, and the brain was protruding. On examining the jaw more minutely it was found to be completely shattered on the left side. After some time we extracted this bullet. (produces the bullet- presumably deformed)
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JCP
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Thank you. Please place it on the table
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Some sort of tray for evidence
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Dr JC
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There was no external wound, so it must have been fired while the mouth was open. When we came to examine the head we found the skull fractured around the wound, and there was a small portion of lead lying between the scalp and the bone. The bullet had taken a course downward, slightly backward and to the right. The bullet was lying in the brain, having fractured the bone just behind the right ear. Death was obviously due to the latter wound in the skull. The first would was not sufficient to be fatal.
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Knight
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Do you think there would be any screaming from the female on account of this wound?
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DrJC
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I cannot say, but so far as could be judged the shots would be fired from above, and if the muzzle was not in the mouth it must have been very close. The shot must have been fired from above downwards, either whilst she was kneeling or in a lying position?
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JCP
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Thank you for your conclusion, please continue
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Some perplexion here?
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Dr JC
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We then examined the man. There had been a great discharge from the nose and mouth, and the mouth showed signs of scorching. I have no doubt the weapon was fired into the mouth. On further examination we found the bullet had taken a course upwards and slightly backwards and to the left, having gone through the roof of the mouth, the centre and base of the skull, the middle of the brain, and out of the hole at the top of the head. Death was of course due to this wound and must have been instantaneous.
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Bennett
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I have here the gunsmith who will show what charges have been fired.
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JCP
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Is it necessary to go into this? (maybe looking at pocket watch) There is no doubt that the poor man shot himself.
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Bennett
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As you wish. Yet I also have evidence to show that the revolver was repaired, and someone who would speak to his having threatened to shoot himself.
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JCP
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Evidence that will show his state of mind had better be taken
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Bennett
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Call Francis Robert Andrews
(Sworn in)
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FRA
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I live at Craven Street and am the Town Crier. On Sunday night about 10.15, I was just got in bed, and heard a knock at the door. A young person staying at my house answered the door, and it was Miss Edith Ethel Stevens. She ran in and asked where we were. She ran upstairs and said “Mr Andrews, Mr Wynn is going to shoot himself!” She had the revolver in her hand and said “Take care of it, I am afraid of him”. I took it away and locked it up. I told her to bring him indoors. I got up and went downstairs and when I got there, Mr Wynn and Miss Stevens were in my front room. I asked him how he was, and he replied “My head is very bad.”. I said, as you are not well you had better sleep here tonight” He said “I can’t I have taken a bed at the ‘Queens’. I said “Bed taken or not you will not go out tonight!” I tried to take off his overcoat, but he would not let me do so. I felt in his pockets, and Miss Stevens brought out two small cartridges, which would fit the revolver which I had taken from him. Wynn would not go to bed and I locked the house up, and kept him in my room till the morning. He seemed to ramble during the night and talked about Dr Clarke (looking towards him). He said “I shall do it” which I thought referred to shooting himself. In the morning he seemed quieter and had breakfast at my house. He thanked me for my kindness and left with Miss Stevens at half-past eight. He said he was going to Reading.
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JCP
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Was he violent?
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FRA
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Oh no
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JCP
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Perfectly sober?
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FRA
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Yes. In the morning he seemed better. He said he should go to Reading to take the revolver back to the friend of whom it was borrowed.
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JCP
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I do not take much notice of that. Unfortunately anyone can carry a revolver; one can be bought for a few shillings.
Did Mr Wynn and Miss Stevens remain in your house?
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FRA
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Yes, they were in the same room. He seemed quieter when Miss Stevens was present.
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JCP
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Had you known him long?
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FRA
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Yes, nearly ever since he had been in Newbury. He complained sometimes about his head.(Looking to Dr JC)
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This is a bit chaotic.
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DrJC
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As he seems to have mentioned my name I may say that I have attended him for slight ailments, but he never complained about his head.
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Bennett
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As to the revolver, sir, I have just received a telegram from a Mr Lewis, of Reading. I had sent him a special edition of the Newbury Weekly News and he has replied: “Received dreadful news, was with Wynn when he bought the revolver at Rose’s, Reading, yesterday”
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Jackson
(mayor)
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With your permission, sir, there is a young lady present who was the last to speak to Miss Stevens. They both worked in my emporium
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JCP
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Very well, Mr Mayor, let her be called.
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JCP takes control
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Bennett
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Miss Pecover?
(swears her in)
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Lizzie Pecover
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I am an assistant at Mr Jackson’s. I was friendly with Miss Stevens. I was with her last night and left her outside Miss Reid’s at five minutes to nine. We had been walking together and came round Cheap street and the Station road. Wynn was with us and I thought he was in good spirits. They went off together in the direction of Enborne Road. Miss Stevens had never said she was afraid of Wynn. On Monday morning she told me that he had a pistol and that he had tried to shoot himself, and told her to go on. This happened on Sunday evening. I have never heard of them having a quarrel. They were very affectionate to one another.
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JCP
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Gentlemen of the jury, you have heard the ev….
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Bennett
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Sir, a gentleman is here from London and claims the watch that he lent to the deceased
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interrupts
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JCP
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I have nothing to do with that, it is more a matter for you Mr Bennett – but I think it is likely that money will be required for the burial.
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Bennett
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I shall not part with anything until I am satisfied that he has received decent burial. He does not seem to have any friends to come forward and be responsible for the burial expenses.
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JCP
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You have heard the evidence gentlemen. I don’t think that there is need that I should sum up unless you require it.
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THE JURY DELIBERATE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE CORONER INTERRUPTS
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JCP
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Is there any doubt in which I can help you?
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Knight
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Our difficulty is with regard to the state of mind of the deceased, Wynn and upon that point there is no evidence to guide us. But if there were certain facts, as had been stated to us elsewhere, it might show a homicidal tendency in the family and perhaps prevent a harsh verdict.
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6
Reprise from here
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JCP
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It is true that there is nothing in the evidence that you have heard to show the state of mind. You must as jurymen come to your own conclusion.
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Time lapse
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Jury mutter
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JCP
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You have reached a conclusion?
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Knight
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Yes, sir. We find that the deceased Wynn was guilty of the murder of Edith Ethel Stevens but there is not sufficient evidence to prove that he was of unsound mind. As to Wynn he committed suicide by shooting himself with a revolver.
Will this verdict prevent a decent burial?
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JCP
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Assuredly not. Arrangement will be made for Newbury Cemetery.
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Jackson
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I think perhaps it right that I should state for the record that Miss Stevens was an amiable lady-like young person of only 21 years, beloved by all who had been brought in contact with her. She is the youngest daughter and her mother is a widow and not in good circumstances. Miss Stevens sent home money every month.
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Knight
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In these circumstances perhaps it would be a sympathetic act if the jury present their fees to the mother of Miss Stevens?
Thank you - and I am pleased to add to the same a sovereign.
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They concur then nod
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Narrator
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And that as far as the jury and Coroner were concerned was the end of the story. But the local newspaper continued to amass further evidence that might have been pertinent to the inquest. The story of Wynn’s childhood, the homicidal tendency rumour that had reached the jury and the events and imaginings of Wynn’s last days can be added to the evidence at this stage. Let us return to Mr Knights concerns and explore the circumstances in more depth.
We will hear the testimony of Mr Croneen, who had travelled all the way from New Brompton to give evidence and whose evidence was brushed aside by the Coroner.
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Cast resume place at 6
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reprise
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Knight
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Our difficulty is with regard to the state of mind of the deceased, Wynn and upon that point there is no evidence to guide us. But if there were certain facts as had been stated to us elsewhere, it might show a homicidal tendency in the family and perhaps prevent a harsh verdict.
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6
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JCP
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It is true that there is nothing in the evidence that you have heard to show the state of mind. You must as jurymen come to your own conclusion.
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Stillman
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Mr Pinniger. Aren’t you being somewhat hasty? Excuse me. There are other witnesses here waiting to give evidence. Should you not let them speak? There may be more to know.
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JCP
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Mr Stillman, should you not concentrate on your notes for the Newbury Weekly News? That is your role here is it not?
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Stillman
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Of course sir, my Pitman’s is serving me well and I have details here before me of all that has been heard. But I do wonder if more should be heard, especially as a gentleman is here who has known Ellis Wynne all his life.
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JCP
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(tries to intercede)
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St
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I am right in recalling that a Newbury coroner’s verdict was overturned only last year – and the body exhumed? I believe Superintendent Bennett and Dr Jenner Clarke were both involved in the case of the murders at Warren Farm?
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(Bennett and Clarke nod)
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JCP
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True, true, but that was not my court but my colleague Coroner Watson. And the evidence there was more contradictory than here – though probably we should not discuss the sad case of Sydney Heath and Mrs Annie Chamberlain here. Perhaps Watson was too hasty in his judgement? This case is quite straightforward. What more could your additional witness err err
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S
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Mr Croneen sir
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JCP
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Mr Croneen – I do not know his name, is he from this area?
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S
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No no he has travelled here by train from New Brompton especially to give evidence. He is – was- a good friend of Mr Wynn and has known him well for many years. Mr Wynne has had, had had, a troubled life
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JCP
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That does not alter what has happened here – or the jury’s verdict – though their comments suggest that they had heard rumour of past circumstances. Suicides are now given a proper Christian burial so there are no further issues
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S
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I am sure our readers will find this further information of interest on Thursday…
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JCP
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Well perhaps it can do no harm to hear what Mr Croneen has to say, as he has taken some trouble to attend. Though in doing so he might miss the last train?
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S
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He has already missed any train that could return him home tonight. He did ask Superintendent Bennett if he could give evidence early to avoid this eventuality.
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JCP
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I see. Very well. Swear him in Superintendent
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JCP
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Give us your full name and address (at this point Stillman would return to taking shorthand notes with pencil)
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H G Croneen
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My name is Horace George Croneen; I am a jeweller on the High Street, New Brompton in Kent.
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JCP makes a note using fountain pen
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JCP
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Have you known Wynn all his life?
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HGC
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No sir but I have known of him. Latterly we became good friends and recently I have been trying to help him recover from his great disappointment.
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JCP
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You had better explain. What did you know of him? The jury has heard rumours, I suspect, of homicidal mania in the family. Is that true?
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HGC
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Unfortunately, yes, though there has been no evidence of such homicidal mania in his behaviour of late. Of other kinds of mania perhaps. He had certainly threatened suicide in the last weeks.
Perhaps I should start at the beginning?
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JCP
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That might put us all out of our misery!
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HGC
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Wynn was not his real name. His father was William Chittenden and Ellis also carried that name
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JCP
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Chittenden?
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Writing again
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HGC
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Yes
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JCP
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Why did he change his name? Why Wynne?
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HGC
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Wynne was the name of his mother, Amelia. When Ellis was very young his father left the family to go to America. Mrs Chittenden petitioned for divorce on the grounds of adultery and cruelty and this was granted. She retook her maiden name Wynne, and her only son Ellis was always known as Wynne. Her dressmaking business in Tonbridge was also under that name. In 1871 William
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General shock here. Divorce was very unusual
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JCP
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William?
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Yes William Chittenden, Ellis’s father, returned and one night found where his exwife was living and took a knife to her, slitting her throat - but she survived. It was in all the papers. William was sentenced to 20 years penal servitude. Ellis told me that he was incarcerated on the Isle of Wight, then released some years ago and travelled to either Australia or New Zealand.
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JCP
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So you think that Ellis took after his father?
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HGC
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Yes, well, no. He was a very gentle youth and very cheerful most of the time. He did used to tell stories, fantastical stories, how he would soon be off to Naples or some other voyage. I think he might have got those ideas from my brothers, who he met when they came back from Australia. And there were rumours of him carrying snakes in his pockets
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JCP
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Snakes in his pocket?
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Yes and once a loaded revolver.
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JCP
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A loaded revolver?
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Yes.
Then when it was time to leave school a local gentleman, a solicitor, Mr George Stenning who had taken an interest in him, paid an apprenticeship premium so that Wynn could become a watchmaker and jeweller. In that he was successful and has indeed been employed here in Newbury these three years past, by Mr Garlick.
(Sighs)
But probably inadvertently Mr Stenning has become the architect of this entire situation.
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JCP
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How so?
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HGC
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Mr Wynne had always expected to be mentioned in the will of Mr Stenning. Indeed everyone that knew him had expected the same thing. Ellis was able to say he was a gentleman of means because of this expectation – I believe Miss Stevens was convinced of that circumstance until very recently.
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JCP
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How did that circumstance change?
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HGC
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Earlier this year, in January I think, the said Mr Stenning died. However by March, Ellis knew that he had not been mentioned in the will in any way. It was then he wrote to me asserting that he should commit suicide. He assured me that he had not abused the confidence placed in him by his employer Mr Garlick and also that his accounts in connection with the Guildhall Club (of which he was either treasurer or secretary) were correct,
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JCP
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He was a member of Newbury Guildhall Club?
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Indeed, though he had resigned the same.
However concerned I came by the next train and arrived at Newbury somewhere about 4 o’clock, called for him at Mr Garlick’s and prevailed upon him to come out with me for a few minutes, at the same time making an excuse to Mr Garlick.
As we talked he cried a great deal, which I allowed him to do, thinking it would give him relief. I then prevailed upon him to come back to New Brompton with me that evening, although it was much against his will. However I went and saw Mr Garlick and also Miss Stevens and made an excuse for his leaving in such a hurried manner, and caught the 5.30 train to town, arriving home – New Brompton -about 11.30pm
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JCP
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But that was in March? So when did Wynne return to Newbury?
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Head in hands probably
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HGC
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He stayed with me for a week during which time I did all I possibly could to occupy his mind, taking him over the Dockyard to see the military parade and so on, which he appeared to enjoy, and the fits of melancholia seemed to leave him.; I reasoned with him, and then he regained his original demeanour.
He then decided to return to Newbury and settle up all his accounts. He had already given notice to Mr Garlick. Then he would return to stay with me until he was well enough to take another position. While he was here during that week he complained a good deal about his head. I advised him to take a minute quantity of bicarbonate of soda, thinking he might be bilious.
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JCP
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And did he return to your home?
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HGC
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Yes, after about a month. He wrote he felt better and would leave Newbury on Friday 29th April. He then returned to New Brompton. And then for the first 8 or 9 days he was very jolly. I was then under the impression he had broken off his engagement with Miss Stevens, as he made the remark that he had, upon entering the train, shaken the Newbury dust from off his feet.
After about 3 or 4 days staying with me he received a telegram, unsigned, from Newbury, asking him to return. Afterwards I found this was from Miss Stevens as it was followed by a letter. Then having been very jolly, he came over so despondent, complaining of his head and biting his fingernails, till about the 12th May when he appeared again so jolly I was put off my guard.
Then on the 14th he received this telegram purporting to have come from Spiers and Pond, who have large stores embracing a jewellery department, with whom he had been in correspondence respecting a situation as an assistant. This (waving telegram)turns out a specimen of his madness, which had made him artful, as it was a forged telegram and which he must have prevailed upon someone in London to send “Come at once- Spiers and Pond”.
About 5 o’clock that day I received a telegram worded “Certainly not home tonight – Ellis”
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Refers to his notes in his diary
This is the telegram found on the body
Telegram
Another telegram
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Jackson
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Indeed that was because he had again returned to Newbury; he could not have gone to London at all. He called for Miss Stevens and she told me they travelled by train to Savernake and had a pleasant day there on the Sunday. And then, as we have heard, his spirits sunk leading Miss Stevens to take him to the house of Mr Andrews on their return
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JCP
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Yes yes Mr Mayor, we know that already.
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Jackson
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But taking account of Mr Croneen’s testimony of madness, it was reported by an acquaintance of mine that on Monday, the day of this unfortunate tragedy, he was again travelling by train - to Hungerford at least and was singing music hall ditties, seemingly most joyous. How can that be?
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JCP
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Yes, well, all very strange. Perhaps you would continue your evidence Mr Croneen
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Checks notes for name
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HGC
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Of course, um, I had received his telegram.
I could not fathom what it meant. Sunday passes without any news, although I expected him to return by every train. Monday arrives and I begin to get fearful, so much so that I go to his room to look for his razor (I had previously felt obliged to take charge of his razor for fear of his intentions).
Monday evening I receive an envelope containing a few receipted bills of his, which he had paid various tradesmen in Newbury. Not a word of where he was staying but on the back of the envelope is the impression “Queen’s Hotel, Newbury” (triumphant)
I thereupon send a telegram (reply paid) asking the proprietor, “Is Mr Wynn staying at your hotel?” Unfortunately the proprietor hands the telegram to Wynn, and he answers it himself “Will return tomorrow – Ellis”
Although I received this telegram I was fearful all was not well. Why was he back in Newbury when he was supposed to be in London? I intended to take a train to Newbury the next day, that is this morning but I received a telegram from Platt (his fellow assistant at Mr Garlick’s) worded
“Sad accident to Wynn; come at once”
I telegraphed “ Send particulars; is he alive?”
In reply I get “Dead shot Stevens and himself last night”
Mr. Coroner: I'm sorry to take up so much of your court's time on this, but I make no apology for drawing attention to Mr. Wynn's illness. I'm sure medical men have a professional title for it whilst I, as a layman, can only identify it as a "mental disturbance".
Had it not been for the comparative ease with which anyone, whatever their mental state, can obtain firearms, two young peoples' lives may have been saved, and the consequent distress to others avoided.
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Envelope with bills
Telegram form
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JCP
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Is that all?
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HGC
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Except to say that had Platt been called he could also have spoken as to the peculiar habits of Wynn at various times whilst in the employ of Mr Garlick.
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JCP
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Thank you Mr er Croneen. All very interesting but it does not influence me to change our verdict. It is quite clear that Ellis Wynn shot his fiancée and then put the gun in his mouth and shot himself. In my opinion verdicts of insanity, temporary or otherwise, so frequently found at inquests may inflict great harm on the living. The antecedents of families are often dragged to light in order to give force and colour to imaginary theories of supposed inherited insanity, and consequently a lasting stigma is inflicted on surviving families.
In this case Ellis Wynn has no surviving family – his mother died some years ago I am led to understand – and he will receive a decent burial as now befits all suicides, in Newbury Cemetery as soon as possible. Even so there is nothing to gain by labelling him in death as insane, he was just unable to control his emotions when circumstances went against him.
Court dismissed.
(Victorians all leave stage)
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Narrator
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Immediately after the inquest both bodies were taken in a low Scotch Cart , to the mortuary at the back of the Corn Exchange. A crowd gathered to peer through an airbrick at the body until, members of the Guildhall Club having agreed to take responsibility, the body was placed in a plain elm coffin, with black furniture and at midnight Thursday removed from the mortuary to the cemetery chapel. The greatest secrecy was observed. The time was fixed for 7 o’clock in the morning and at that hour some half-dozen members of the Guildhall Club attended at the cemetery where the Reverend John Pate, Congregational Minister performed the funeral in an earnest manner on a cold and cheerless morning.
Edith Stevens was taken by train and buried at Watford. As her body was being laid out for the coffin another bullet wound was found, in her back. The original post-mortem had only examined the bullet wounds in the head. This new evidence supported the view that Edith was walking in front of Ellis when he shot her; he had perhaps stopped to pick up his walking stick. The first shot did not kill her and he was forced to shoot her twice more as she lay on the ground.
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Kim & Mum take up positions
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EPILOGUE
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K
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So what are you saying? It is a sad story.
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M
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Just that Ellis Wynn showed a multitude of signs of being mentally ill and if he presented those signs today he would be diagnosed and given medication so that he could live out the rest of his life. And of course Edith too. Can you work out what the signs are?
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K
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Well he seemed to have big mood swings, jolly one moment, depressed the next. Very jolly too, singing songs on the train at the top of his voice. And he did bizarre things too, pocketsful of snakes for heaven’s sake, really manic! O I see what you mean. Like Robbie Williams
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M
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Or Stephen Fry, it is called bi-polar nowadays
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K
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But if he was bi-polar or manic depressive he wouldn’t change so quickly would he?
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M
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Well I looked on the internet about that and there is something called rapid cycling manic depression so I guess that could have been what was wrong with him. Nowadays he would have help from people who have taken the trouble to study and learn and research illnesses – maybe?
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K
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Okay, Mum I‘ll fill in the form.
But I think I might go for History!
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Said to audience
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THE END
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