Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 17 June, 1893.

TRAGEDY IN COCKERING WOOD, NEAR CANTERBURY.

MURDER AND SUICIDE UNDER ROMANTIC CIRCUMSTANCES.

A horrible discovery was made in Cockering Wood, near Canterbury, on Saturday evening, when the bodies of a man named Hermann Stoer and a young German woman reputed to be his wife ware found both shot through the head. Superintendent Farmery, of the local police force, and others had been in search of the missing pair during the afternoon, but intelligence of the discovery of the terrible tragedy did not reach the city until evening, where it created a very painful sensation. Mr. and Mrs. Stoer, it seems, have been residing in apartments at Canterbury for the past month. They were very retiring, and spent the greater portion of the time in musical exercises and fables in the country, apparently enjoying a very happy holiday. One would often meet them returning from a long country walk carrying bouquets of wild flowers, Mr. Stoer, a gentlemanly looking person in the early prime of life, and his wife of girlish appearance, with her hair hanging unfastened down her beck, the last persons one would suspect of a desire to shorten the pleasures of life. Yet they would appear, after a month of married bliss, to have decided that they had seen enough of life. Mrs. Stoer seemed fatigued on her arrival in Canterbury, a circumstance which her husband said was due to the fact that she had been travelling all night on her way from Germany. They arrived by the half-past eleven o’clock train, and went out but little for a few days. Somewhat of a scene at the close of the period for which the apartments were originally hired would, in the light of subsequent events, lead one to suspect that an earlier close of their career was suggested by Mr. Stoer; but subsequently the rooms ware taken for a further period, and their happiness again appeared to be without alloy. So the time passed until Friday last, when, after a hearty dinner, they went out at about half-past four o'clock and were not seen again.

Letters were, however, posted by them which reached their destinations on Saturday. One was to Mr. Oscar Stoer, of Upper Holloway, a brother, in which was conveyed intelligence of the deed arranged by that time to have been committed. Another to Mr. Gavazz King, of the Leeds Express, who early in the afternoon wired to Superintendent Farmery to search the wood on the hill to the west side of the town. Prompt action was taken, and on visiting the apartments the post and his wife had occupied, the Superintendent fell in with Mr. Oscar Stoer and an inquiry agent, sent by Messrs. Day and Russell, solicitors, London (an ex-inspector of the Metropolitan Police, named Curley). By these three a search was instituted over the woodland to the west of Canterbury. The information was somewhat vague, but fragments of letters in the handwriting of Mr. Stoer were found at various points in Cockering Wood, and shortly before six o'clock the scene of the tragedy was discovered. On a little grassy spot, surrounded by underwood on the crest of the hill overlooking the valley of the Stour, lay the dead bodies of Hermann and his wife in close proximity.

Mrs. Stoer was lying at full length with her hands crated composedly over her breast, death having bean caused by a shot wound on the left side of the head. Her husband was lying on his right side with his head close to her neck. In his right hand was a six-chambered revolver and the death wound in his case was in the right side of the head. Here also was evidence of terrible premeditation, in that their hats, umbrella, and walking stick had been carefully laid aside and a bunch of wild roses tied with black crape placed upon them.

At a short distance from the feet of the bodies were found the following lines:—

TO MY DARLING.

My sweetheart! My sweetheart!

Let me recall that hour,

When at the thought that we part

I learn't at last to know thy heart,

The sweetest holiest flower.

My treasure! My treasure!

Let me recall that dream,

Where thou did'st think I was unkind.

Yet sought the fairest one to find.

He whom thou did'st misdeem.

My darling! My darling!

Let me recall that bliss.

Betwixt the leaves the moonbeams play’d

And on my breast thy head was laid;-

That sweet and trusting kiss.

My angel! My angel!

Let this e’er vouch for me,

However far end long apart

Thou’lt be my only love and art

My dearest possy.

H.S. 25th September, 1890.

The following is an abstract from the letter received by Mr. G. W. King, of Leeds, from the deceased:-

I am dead. I shot myself on the ninth of June here, near Canterbury, in a wood on the west side of the town. I had been four weeks in this place with my wife, who came on purpose from Germany to die with me. I leave proof enough behind me to testify that I am no murderer - letters in German — which will be found on my body, and her family will also be obliged to acknowledge that truth. We lived under the shadow of death happily together from the twelfth of May, the day before my birthday, until the ninth of June, the day before her birthday—the time that fate allowed. We lived joyfully and peacefully, for we dwell in the same bosom of nature, and separated from the stupidity, cupidity, and madness of mankind. Our pleasures were woods, birds, fields, and wild flowers. The hawthorn blossom and the blue bell were with us at first, then honeysuckle and the wild rose. Music and song were our occupation, with merry and earnest conversations in our little lodging. We were a harmony together, a tender and sublime accord. As the mountain stream meets his sister in the valley, we united and flowed toward the same sea, the sea of freedom, truth, justice, that are a name and a nothing on earth. Never was there a woman so noble as my wife. Never was her sex known a character so high and so purely human. Never was sweetness so softly mated with greatest strength. We are not dead of bodily lust, or despair, but of fate and conviction. We never despaired, and we died calmly. The reason for the act will be found in my words and her letters. She understood me, and lived in and through me. The only papers I have destroyed were plans for poems and plays, etc. I leave what remains of me in your hands, considering you the best and fittest person for tha trust, remembering your friendship for myself, and some admiration for certain of the said works. Above all, I write as an honest man to an honest man. Yours I was in friendship.

From death to life, from star to star.

My earth were here, my spirit far.

Mr. Hermann Stoer was the second son of Mr. Stoer, of the firm of Stoer Brothers and Coles, ink-makers etc. Upper Thames Street, London. the deceased was educated in Germany. he was of an intensely shy and reserved disposition. he had devoted himself for some years to poetry, and he left a number of poems and tragedies showing evidence of remarkable ability, but he failed to obtain recognition. In his last letter to Mr. King, previous to that given above, he was endeavouring to get a small work published, upon which he seemed to have spent much pains. He had strong views on the right to commit suicide, and was a man of strong religious convictions.

THEIR LIFE IN CANTERBURY.

The landlady of the house No. 38, Dover Street, Canterbury, where Mr. and Mrs Stoer resided during their stay in the city, being interviewed by a newspaper representative, stated that she first saw Mr. Stoer on Tuesday, the 9th May, when he engaged her apartments. But afterwards returned to London, and on the fallowing Friday came with his wife to the house, where they subsequently lived. The rooms were in the first instance taken for a fortnight, and she did not know until the end of the day that they were going to stay on. A day or two previous to the close of the fortnight they were very strange in their manner to each other, and the lady was crying all day. Mrs. Stoer spoke so English whatever, so that nothing could be learnt from her. Mr. Stoer, however, explained to Mrs. Parsons that his wife was suffering from headache, to severe attacks of which she was subject. Subsequently the apartments were engaged for a further period. But for this incident nothing specially noteworthy happened, unless viewed in the light of subsequent events. Mrs. Stoer played a great deal upon the piano during the latter part of their stay, but, observed Mrs. Parsons, "it all seemed very sorrowful, mournful music—very." On last Friday morning, however, she played unfalteringly for about three hours the most brilliant music. That I thought very remarkable. He too, has sung to her every evening since last Sunday. Most of it was German music, but he used also to sing, "Do not forget me" and "True, tree till death." They used always to converse in German. Mr. Stoer was always most pleasant and satisfied, but he only spoke to me just sufficiently to give any necessary instructions. They appeared as happy as possible except on this one occasion, and I concluded that it was merely a little frettishness on the part of Mr. Stoer at leaving her home. He told me that she had come direct to Canterbury from Germany. Letters to Mrs. Stoer previous to her coming to England used to be addressed: "Eliprbuts Neuber, Bochum, Germany." She was quite a child, and always had a smiling face. I should not think her for a moment anything more than nineteen, and I should not be surprised if she was not more than seventeen. Their walks were always into the country and they seemed wonderfully to like to be quiet and alone. About every other day they would bring back wild roses and other flowers with which to decorate their rooms. They did not appear to care at all for garden flowers. Mrs. Stoer had a vary nice affectionate manner and used to take my little child up in her arms whenever it came in her way and fondle it and speak to it in her own language. I am sure that, when I heard what had happened, I was beside myself. The manners of Mr. Stoer were also very gentlemanly and nice, and he seemed everything that was right and proper and I should think highly intellectual. Mrs. Stoer, judging from what I could tell, was not perhaps of quite so good a family as her husband. He mentioned to me that he had lived for about four years at Littlebourne (a village about four miles from Canterbury) some ten years ago, and that he and his wife had come for a stay at Canterbury entirely because the place was quiet. On Friday they had dinner at about three o’clock; afterwards they went out, and I have seen no more of them. We stayed up till late expecting them home as they were always in in good time, but they did not come and my husband supposed they had gone away and missed the train back. Since last Tuesday they have been writing a great deal after we have gone to bed.

THE INQUEST.

Mr. R. H. Mercer. Coroner for East Kent, on Monday afternoon held an inquiry into the circumstances of the tragedy. The investigation took place at the "Fagge Arms," Chartham, which is situated within half-a-mile of the spot where the bodies were found.

Mr. Day, of the firm of Messrs. Day, Russall, and Co. London, attended to watch the case on behalf of the relatives of Hermann Stoer; and Mr. Oscar Stoer, brother of the deceased was also present.

Superintendent Farmery, of the Canterbury Police, was the first witness examined. He deposed that in consequence of the telegram from Mr. King, of Leeds, he went to 28, Dover Street, and there met Mr. Osar Stoer, who showed him the letter produced.

LETTER TO HIS BROTHER.

The communication, read by the Coroner, was as under:-

Oscar Stoer,

From his brother that was, Hermann.

It was to no purpose to have written to you before, and now I read you my last words. I have been living for the past four weeks in Canterbury, 38, Dover Street, of necessity under my own name, with my wife who came from Germany with the sole intention of dying with me. We died on the 9th June, 1898. Letters will be found on my body which will prove me no murderer and my wife's family will also testify the same. Her uncle will probably come over and will also testify the same. He is a vary pleasant good-hearted gentleman, I expect you to be of all possible use to him. You can ask by the German Consol in London, if there be one (sic) in Canterbury, and you will there learn to whom he must apply for aid; the Consul will of course help him in every way. His name is Rustemeyer and he comes from Barmen. The act took place in the wood on the hill to the west of the town; the road to it is through Western Terrace, St. Jacob's Terrace, &c., &c. I have written to Mr. King and sent him the key of my iron box. — The receipts for three weeks will be found in my breast pocket; the last weak we lived, so to say, on what we had with us, which is more than sufficient to pay all our debts. If you or Mr. Rustemeyer care to have the things, you can, naturally, have them by paying the £3 for the last week and the washing. Our sole jewellery is the three cat’s eye studs, my wife's gold watch and 4 gold rings. — We two have dwelt most happily together, passing the splendid sunny days in the woods and fields with the birds and wild flowers, and the other hours with music and song and with conversation merry and wise; yet we died without regret — calmly, without fear or agony. We both had had enough of the world, were not angry with it, but went on our voyage to others with the simple and earnest determination with which one generally travels. We were not sad, in fact if you inquire of the people at the above address I doubt not they will inform you we laughed right oft and heartily. My wife and I were not such as make a long face at fete as a child at medicine - you know pretty nearly why I went on the luggageless emigration. That I took the express shows my good sense. My wife thought, like I—she was the missing part of myself and died with me out of no brutal lust or earthly madness, but with my reason and understanding, for in me she discovered the completion of her thoughts. Of her virtues I will say nothing; they will live with those who know her. As a last favour, send (to a relative in Germany) the paper which best relates our death. I have written him. Now brother receive my last and best wishes for your prosperity, acquiring nobleness of mind and thought and, above all, hate selfishness. Remember our evenings with the poets—Good-bye!

Examination continued: Previous to going to the house he had met Mr. Curley, who had been sent down by Messrs. Day, Russell, and Co., solicitors, London. With Mr. Stoer they searched the woods to the west of the town, and reached Cockering Wood about half-past four o'clock. They searched the wood for some time and found a large number af fragments of letters written in German by the deceased. Afterwards witness sent to Canterbury for further assistance, and fetched a man named Manuel from Cockering Farm. With him they returned to the wood and resumed their investigation at thee top of the hill. They had only proceeded about twenty yards into the wood when Curley shouted "They are here." Witness went to him and found the deceased persons lying close together. The woman was laid straight out, with her feet towards the west, with her hands-across her body. She was bleeding from a wound on the left side of the head. The man was lying at her left side with a six chambered revolver in his hand, and a wound on the right side of the head near the ear, from which blood was issuing. By their side were two hats, an umbrella and walking stick and a crape tie on which was a bunch of wild roses tied with crape. There were no signs of a struggle either between the deceased or anyone else.

There was a little pathway running near by where the bodies lay.

The Coroner:— It would almost look as if they were arranged carefully?

Superintendent Farmery:— Yes, the woman appeared very carefully arranged. Her dress was laid straight and she lay almost as if asleep. Witness further stated that he saw a lot of paper as if letters had been torn up, and at the feet of the corpses about six yards away was some poetry in Mr. Stoers hand-writing. At the apartments they had occupied at Canterbury were some 200 envelopes which had contained letters written by Mr. Stoar to the girl in Germany. The revolver and bullets were bought at Mr. Adsetts, Canterbury. There was no money upon the bodies, Mr. Stoer was wearing a lady's gold watch. His wife had none, but was wearing four rings, including a wedding ring. In a card case on Mr. Stoer were a number of German letters (produced.)

A German resident in Canterbury was present, and at the direction of the Coroner, explained to the jury the gist of the communications.

The Coroner inquired whether it was possible that the letters dated 1892 was misdated, and that they were written in the present year?

Mr. Day stated that financial difficulties would only have come to the knowledge of Mr. Stoer in the present year. He communicated with the family two months ago and stated that money was lost, but they had no reason to suppose it before.

HIS VIEW OF THE WORLD.

The Coroner mentioned that among the letters found upon the deceased was the following:-

To the public, from Hermann Stoer.

So at the end of the nineteenth century dies in England an English poet and genius. Here I lie killed by this so-called practical generation to whom gold is more than honour and money more than mind; that studies the body and neglects the soul, that alone distinguishes the man from the brute, that alone should occupy all his care for its cultivation, and that alone should be his pride and delight. Let me inform you O my countrymen - I publish it to the world that genius without means or influential friends without worldly goods or selfish folk interested in promoting its welfare perishes like a flower by the wayside - seen by few, observed by none, and covered by the dust of passing ignorance and perversion. By my side rests the sole being my kind who knew genius and loved it, and who without it saw the earth a desert and a life of continual hunger and thirst. So as a stranger from a foreign land my countrymen she came to the field of our pleasant birthplace to die there - she came in the midst of her Spring to die in the Spring in out fruitful fields and flowery woods. - She came and saw with joy, yet died contented - she died like a bride who leaves her home and friends for and with her husband. And ye have compelled me to take this life that was loved by all who watched the blossom of a tender and noble nature that hated hypocrisy and meanness.- So long as I breathed like my fellows I was denied a hearing. perhaps your curiosity may be awakened by my death, and as it is the duty of genius to tell its mission to the world although it is wronged, spat at, stoned and crucified. I leave my labours behind me in the hands of an honest man, mr. G. W. King, manager of the Leeds Express, who is somewhat acquainted with me and some of them, and who will give them out to you if shallowness and stupidity stand not in the path of understanding. Ye wise men who will sit in judgment of us whom you know not and who will sit in judgement on us whom you know not and whose narrowness of mind and slavish fear of death will declare us mad, if you have sufficient courage to be honest. Mind your laws and insult not the dead. prove me wrong by speaking the truth. Forget the priest and prejudices and remember that ye are men and have known many thoughts and deeds. I die solely because I will not degrade my soul to be subservient to my body; my wife because she lives through me. Surely your comprehension reaches so far. My countrymen, my words will prove my truth and honour and my labours will testify to my love for you. I embrace you in my soul as the first and leader of nations, the expectation of the future, the hope of the world, but beware of your weaknesses, money makes not noble nor widens the heart and sole, will shame selfishness, therefore be just.
Mr. Thomas Sutton, surgeon, practising at Chartham, deposed that Mrs. Stoer was probably about 20 years of age. The bullet wound extended into the brain about five inches, and would cause instantaneous death. The man was apparently about 30 years of age, and had a similar wound. The woman's hands were perfectly flat, and he thought it was improbable that she shot herself. From the position of the wound he did not think she took her own life.

By Mr. Day.— He would sot say it was impossible for her to have shot herself, but he did not think it was probable.

Mr. Day said there was an assertion in the letters written by Mr. Stoer that the German letters found upon him would contain proof that he was no murderer. As those letters had not been translated so satisfactorily as could be wished, he should ask the jury to accept that statement.

Mr. Oscar Stoer said that there was a similar statement in the letter written by his brother to Mr. King.

Mrs. Parsons, the landlady of the house in Dover street, Canterbury, at which Mr. and Mrs. Stoer resided, stated that they always seemed to stroll into the country. Only on one occasion did they go down town. They appeared to live quite happily together. The witness went on to detail facts recorded in the report at the interview with her. They appeared to be busy in the bedroom on Friday packing up until they had dinner at three p.m. They took nothing away with them. Mr. Stoer had told her previously that they would be Leaving on Saturday. They went out chatting cheerfully on the Friday they left. Her sister saw a pistol in a bag belonging to Mr. Stoer soon after they arrived.

Mr. Oscar Stoer, 14, Cheriton-road, Hornsey Rise, engaged at Lloyd's, identified the male deceased as his brother. He was 23 years of age in May, and a poet. He had been writing for the pest three years. He did not know they were married, but was aware his brother was engaged to Elizabeth Neuber. Witness did act know he was living in Canterbury. Deceased was pressed for money.

The Coroner.— Is there anything else?

Witness.— Only that I am certain he was married, and that he did not kill his wife.

Superintendent Wood, Kent County Constabulary stated that they had not been married in Canterbury; moreover no marriage certificate could be found.

Mr. Oscar Stoer said his brother hinted to him about three months ago that he and his wife would die. He thought they must have married when his brother went to meet Miss Neuber on her arrival from Germany. He left them in London at four o'clock on the morning of the 12th May. Witness's father had been confined in a lunatic asylum in Germany for the past fourteen years, and his late brother was the committee of his person. His father was still alive and under confinement.

Replying to Mr. Day, the Coroner pointed out that although Mr. Stoer declared in the letter that he was no murderer, in another he said "You have compelled me to take this life," evidently referring to his wife.

Mr. Day said it seemed to him that the jury had not the benefit of understanding the correspondence, because they had no person there who could interpret it properly. His only desire was that the jury should not affix a stain to this man's memory by imputing wilful murder. The letters might show that he we not a murderer, but that she committed suicide.

The Coroner pointed out that even supposing the letters said so, he must advise the jury to take the evidence of the doctor, and consider what they had seen of the case themselves. One was a matter of fact and the other mere leather.

Having listened to a brief but singularly able summing up by the Coroner, the jury found that Hermann Stoer committed suicide while of unsound mind; also that Elizabeth Stoer, his wife, died from a bullet shot in the head inflicted by her husband.

CORRESPONDENCE PRIOR TO THE MARRIAGE.

The communications referred to in the letter written £9 Mr. Stoer to his brother, an containing proof that he was no murderer, consisted of German letters which have passed between the deceased man and his wife. In one dated the 28th April, 1892, written by Mr. Stoer to "my dear child," he expressed a wish to bear from her own lips what the sister of his affianced had to say against their marriage.

He said she must not class him like other people. There were no two people in the world alike in their character. Personally he would prefer to wait a little longer for the marriage, and he thought she (the future Mrs. Stoer) would hold with him in that opinion. he also preferred that they should live apart from each other until they were married. If he saw her a few weeks every year, after a few years it would be all right. He was trying to get on but could not. he felt he must take her in his arms this summer, but if he could not and went short of cash, what should he live any longer for? What was the world to him?

Replying on the 1st May, 1892, Miss Neuber said she has seen long ago in his letters that he was not very happy. She felt rather funny reading the last lines of his letter, and would be very glad if he would come to "his child." If means would not allow him, he must not do any injury to himself. What would she do if he was not alive? Did he think she could live afterwards? It would not be right for him to do anything to himself and leave her. he must not do that. Where he was she ought to be, and wherever he went she would go with him. he must promise to take her, on his honour. If he wanted to take his life he must not leave "his child" behind. She must go with him. She was not writing this in jest. She asked God Almighty to send her hand to him, and implored him to speak openly to her of his intentions.

On the 3rd May, 1892, Mr. Stoer replied. he said he was a good mind to tear up his last letter, but she must not be cross with him because he would confess everything to her. The words she said were dear to his soul. She was the diamonds and rubies of his life, and should be his only companion through life. he could not do it when he made his mind up, because he felt that there must be somebody else with him. he had written three plays, but they were unsuccessful. Two were returned unopened and the third came back while he was writing that letter. This also was unopened and the theatrical manager stated that he knew nothing about him. Thus he was knocked down again. Death would make an end to it. he sent his poetry to the offices of newspapers and it came back again. He was not known. He knew his writing was good and valuable. A critic had told him he would bring his name up if he could only get a start. God Almighty knew that he would write and work until the day came. He could not come to her because he was short of money. He could not get any money and was living with his sisters, yet he would not lose courage at present and leave his dearly beloved wife.

In another portion of a letter undated, Mr. Stoer wrote that he had everything in his head, and would write if he could make use of it, but his spirit would not allow him to get down so low. If he did, he must try and get his soul up to heaven. He was born a man, and meant to be a man. He would leave it in God’s hands.

Writing on the 4th May last, Miss Neuber acknowledged the receipt of a letter from her lover. She had, she said, thought over everything, and her decision was to die with him. She had thought of her mother and that it was cruel to her, but she would forget it and forgive her as she was very fond of her. How could her soul be afraid of self-murder? If he died she belonged to him and must die with him. With him gone her life would be a misery. She could not have a better death than in his arms. She only asked one thing — that her family should not have the unpleasantness of the deed being committed there. That morning she told her mother that he was dangerously ill and wanted to see her once again. She had obtained consent to go to England when she liked. She wished him to write to her as to when she should start and they could die in England at once. The poor girl added— "Oh, Hermannt what is life? a chain of unhappiness and misfortune. I, never was any other way. Thy child belongs to you and her God and all the people will forgive us."

Another letter is dated May 8. In this she says she received his letter, but her mother was out of temper and wanted to see the letter herself to ascertain whether he was so ill as she represented. Of course she would not give her the letter but next day she told her mother he was better, but for all that she must go and see him and see herself what was the matter with him. She asked her lover to direct his next letter to the Post Office, Bochum, Westphalia, so that she might call for it. Her money, she said was not much. She had more to come, but did not like to ask the people for it. What she had she would bring with her, together with her jewellery. They could sell it because where they went they would not want any jewellery.

THE FUNERAL.

The burial of the remains of the man Stoer and the young woman supposed to be his wife was conducted quietly on Wednesday afternoon in the little churchyard of Milton, not far from the spot where the tragedy was enacted. The Burial Service was read by the Rev. W. H. Holman, Rector of the parish. They were both interred in the same grave, the jury having found that the couple were man and wife. A member of the Stoer family had previously to Wednesday recognised the body of the female as that of a young lady who had been known as Miss Nuber.

The spot chosen for the grave is a shady little corner to the south-west. The chief mourners were Mr. Oscar Stoer; a gentleman whose name could not be ascertained, but supposed to be an elder brother; and Mr. Day, solicitor; there also followed Mr. and Mrs. Parsons and Miss Sprowson. About 200 persons were in the churchyard. Wreaths of wild flowers were placed on the coffins.

Mr. Alfred Foreman, of Shalmsford Street, had charge of the funeral arrangements.