Laura Constantia Dimes

  General Notes:

Murdered and drowned in pond at Blackawton, Devonshire.
Please see notes for husband of two weeks Hugh Shortlands.

Torquay Times and South Devon Advertiser - Friday 2 May 1884
BLACKAWTON - Sad Occurrence Near Blackawton. - On Tuesday morning the wife of MR HUGH C. SHORTLANDS was found drowned in a pond belonging to her father, MR W. PERCY DIMES, of Oldstone, near Blackawton. As far as can be ascertained the unfortunate lady was last seen alive on Monday, about noon, when she returned to her father's house from her usual ride, after which she took a walk, as it is supposed, around the grounds, having with her, her favourite dog. The animal returned to the house shortly afterwards, and it was noticed that it was wet. No alarm was, however, felt, as MRS SHORTLANDS very often visited her sister, MRS JOHN SHAPLEY, at Cotterbury, about half-a-mile distant. As evening drew on MRS SHORTLANDS did not return, and a messenger was sent to MRS SHAPLEY, but it was found that she had not been there, neither had she been seen during the day. Anxiety about her grew, and at daylight workmen were sent to search for her. Their efforts were soon successful, and MRS SHORTLANDS was discovered in the large pond about a quarter-of-a-mile from the house, situated amid a number of trees. When discovered the unfortunate lady was in a perfectly upright position, with a fearful mark on her forehead. The body was immediately got out, although with great difficulty, as the water was very deep and the mud at the bottom extremely thick, and conveyed to MR DIMES'S house. MRS SHORTLANDS had then been apparently dead for several hours. It is supposed that she threw something in the water for the dog to fetch, and overbalanced herself and fell in. She had her riding-hat, boots and gloves on, and it is thought that she received the blow in falling which stunned her, and on account of the thick mud at the bottom she was unable to get out. The deceased lady was only married about three weeks ago to MR HUGH C. SHORTLANDS, who it is stated, left ten days ago for New Zealand. The morning of her death MRS SHORTLANDS received a letter from her husband, posted at Brindisi. Much sympathy is felt for the family in the neighbourhood and especially in Dartmouth, where the deceased lady was well-known and respected. She was in the town on Saturday last, and was then in good spirits and health. On Wednesday afternoon an Inquest was held on the body, when a verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

Laura married Hugh Rutherford Shortland on 8 Apr 1884 in Kingsbridge.