1936-04-16 — Page 15

THE

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1936.

Dr. Buck Ruxton: The True Story About.

His Secret Bride

MARRIED, DESERTED HIS REAL WIFE, THEN FELL IN LOVE WITH BELLE'

By CYRIL MORTON

This is the full story of Ruxton, the Parsec doctor, and of Belle Ruxton, his principal victim. It was pieced together after long and exhaustive research.

ISABELLA RUXTON, one of Ruxton's victims, mother of his three children, known to all his friends and patients as his wife, was not his wife.

The police, misled by his statement that they were married, sear-. ched vainly marriage registors in England and Scotand. Such a mar- riage would have been bigamous. Ruxton had, already a wife in India of his own race and colour. He deserted her soon after their wedding

in 1925.

Mrs. Motibai Hakim still lives in Bombay with her parents. She is heartbroken at the desertion and crimes of her husband.

From the day in 1925 when she said good-bye to Ruxton until exactly ten years later, his wife heard nothing from him, i of his doings or his whereabouts, beyond one request for

money.

I have at last succeeded in filling that ten-year gap with even greater detail than did the police who worked on the case. The task entailed weeks of investigation in London, Scotland. and northern England, and the following up of slender clues more than ten years old.

Ruxton WEB born on March 27(fore urns in which celestial fire is) thirty-six years ago. Hls full name įkept burning.

WOA Bakhtyar Rustonji Ratanj! Ruxton soon tired of his wife. In Hakim.

November 1925 he sailed for Europe

A fow days after his birth his ostqusibly to study surgery at British parents followed Parsee custom by| medical schools for a higher degree. inviting an astrologer to cast his At first he did not forget her com nativity.

pletely. · In' March 1930, the time of the Parsee New Year, Ruxton was

At the age of seven Ruxton In Paris, contemplating mexical underwent his first inflation to studies at the University. He lunched the ancient religion of Zoroaster, one day in the Hotel Petrograd, and or "Fire Worshippers." He was went shopping in the Houlevard invested with the kusti, or girdle of Hauss

instag made

his

his faith, which he wore all his numorandum in Gujarati of New

fe until after his arrest.

Year presents le buy for his wife in India:-

The girdle was woven by women of the priestly class, and was com posed of seventy-tavo trends, re- presenting the seventy-two eliptors of the Yasna, n book of Parsee sncred writings.

"Matibai maja renato jumper, blouse" (Jumper, blouse, and stack. ing for Pearl (Motibai).3

n

Later she wrote to tell them that she socks were laid out for him. He was free and had married Ruxton wore a different suit each day. In London.

Ruxton introduced Dolls to Dr. Kanga as his wife, and took fur nished lodgings in. Barratt-avenue, Wood Green, He, persuaded Bolle tralia to try to borrow money.

to write to one of her naisters in Aus They stayed in Barratt-avenue,

LIFE POLICIES

Bello Ruxton loyally tried to make

and her tact retained many a patient

BAND CONCERT

a success of their life in Lanenster, By kind permission of Lieut.-Colonel A. C. who had been offended by Ruxton's Marsh and Officers, the Band of the 2nd Bn., trennt man nurse at minor opera-The East Lancashire Regiment will play at the

until Buxton secured another as-Present as a

tions, sistant's position in south London.

During the last five months of 1920 they were sub-tenants of a flat at Grove Park-road, Lee. Hey they are remembered as a couple who quarrelled violently.

Here, on August 21, 1929, * their first cliffa, Elisabeth ́Ava Blewart Ruxton, was born. Ruxton regia. tered the birth himself, giving the name of his mistress as "Isabella Ruxton, formerly Kerr."

Soon aft

after the birth of his dnugb- tor, Ruxton read in the medical press

caster.

by insisting that Ruxton should take Sho showed her financial acumen out Hfe policies for large sums as a good method of saving.

She organised jamble sales for charities and parties for

poor rhildren of the town. These social efforts helped Ruxton's practice enormously, To soon had more than a thousand panel pallents on his books.

Yet she complained to her rela- that a practice was for sale at Lantions that "Bommio" allowed her er. He began negotiations with only a week for housekeeping solicitor in the district, and in expenses. April 1930 arrived at Lancaster and

By this time Dinan, their second put up his brass plate at No. 2, Dal-child, was born. Another child was ton-square, facing the town hall and stillborn. police station,

Ruxton was proud of his position.

angry.

He showed great impatience with new servants, and, with the exception of He began to tell

Bone could be in- Mary Rogerson, his neighbours dueed to stay in the Ruxton house- that he would be wealthy and famous. held for longer than a few months.

“Some day," he said to Mr. T. M.

When he wanted anything he Ireland, who lived at No. 4, "this would call Belle and the servants in Aquare will be renamed Ruxton-discriminately by clapping his handla Aquare in memory of me and my loudly, a trick which he had brought Work!"

with him from India. If people did Lancaster people promptly nicic. not run to his bidding he became mamed Ruxton the Rajah." This annoyed him very much, as did all

Having furnished his house, Rux- alighting references to his Indian ton had become a patron of the arts. nationality.

He greatly admired a copy of Correg glo's

Reading fadonna,"

mnaterpiece. "The

which he saw in the studio of

He arranged with the artist, Mr. J. Willman sehr, that Belle should be painted in similar. pose and draperies. She was unwilling to give the sittings, for she was expecting the birth of a child and pleaded in- disposition.

Ruxton's greatest ambition was to pass as an Englishman, which his swarthy complexion and raven-black hair beled.

BLEACHED HAIR

Soon after his arrival in Lanenster he bleached his hair from its natural black to a bright yellow. The effect was patchy, the experiment a com- plete failure.

He also tried cosmeties to change his swarthy complexion. He began to use flesh-coloured cream and attained A "TOST" complexion which deceived nobody..

Meanwhile, Belle Ruxton had re- turned from London to Edinburgh with her infant daughter. She worked for a few months ns ns- slatot munngeress in Woolworth's Cafe, Princess-atres. Then she re- Joined Ruxton at Lorcaster.

I

ern} artist.

But Ruxton insisted and the ple- tors wna painted.

"Ruxton WAA present at the sittings," Mr. Willman told me.

"He crklelsed and made sugges- Hons. When tho picture W2x finished he rubbed his hands with glee and jumped for foy, bounding round the studio like a ten-year- old schoolboy,"

Ruxton hung the painting in his consulting rooRI. If patients did not notice it, he would point it out to them.

She arrived at Dalton-square to He put the chain round her neck find the walls of their new home bare and said fiercely: "Belle, I bind you of pictures, but with the Signs of the One of his patients told me that to me with this chain for ever. You Zodiar prominently displayed. Rux- he discussed the picture with Ruxton. must hever take it from your neck. ton delighted in explaining their "How's that for a fine woman?* If you do, I feel some great evil will would talk of the occult for hours, Mrs. Ruxton,' he said, smiling all over mystical meaning to visitors and Ruxton asked me. I agreed. "That's huppen to us,"

his waiting-room. even when patients were thronging his face. He warshipped her."

About this time Ruxton bought Belle a tiarn from a hairdresser.

Belle wore the chain for many years, and obeyed Ruxton's injunc tion not to remove it.

In those early days at Lancaster, Mrs. Ruxton would remark to her sister:

"Bommie has heart of

An in those days began the long series of violent quarrels between the couple which were to end in tragedy an September 14

14 last year.

were the talk of Lanenster.

At least two of Ruxton's quarrels

Kuxton wrote once afterwards, appealing to his father-in-law for loan. The money was sent, and his PROUD FAMILY

wifi- asked him at the same time to burgh on one of the many occasions

But in 1934 when she fled to Edin return home, She never heard from when she determined to vectus gold." Ruxton's Father was last in a long line of Parsec native doctors-the

him

Asin.

ton, her sisters Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. steadily, and soon he fell into the His debts to tradespeople mounted Although she wrote many letters Madden, noticed that the chain was hands of moneylenders. When they family name "Jiakim" itself means to her husband through his bunk no longer round her neck, "physician"-and Ruxtoa detur.

They then felt sure that the Hak

pressed him for wined to follow his ancestors pro-and Erm of travel agents, Ruxton

repayment he After one quarrel Belle decided for fession, but with degrees of Wester maintained a heartless silence.

of affection between Ruxton

borrowed more money from other the first time that she would leave He had gona conduct a new Delle, of which the chain had been medicine.

sources to satisfy his most pressing him. She went to Lancaster railway was at last broken for ever,

creditors.

station and bought a ticket for Scot- | Fallen for

I love with Isabella Van Ess Ruxton

Ruxton's weakness for Battery and land. While she was waiting for the at Bombay, and then for three years a married woman.

with little money and no prospects, victim studied at the Wilson College, ----

Pinus Zoroastrian as he was, Rux- For a time

of countless people who him of her intentions bo haunted the Indian His family were proud of his They were favourable to his suit,

| Kon

on consulted the stars for omens. Students Hostel near London sponged upon him and took advan- scholarship, and determined to send would walk home jubilnetly underlag

He University in Gower-street, W., try age of his good nature, him to London University.

their friendly twinkle to his student's acquaintances.

HIS DREAD

He was educated at the Sir Jancurtship in Edinburgh. Ruxton had a sym arrived in London in 1927 his natural generosity made him the train she rang Ruxton up and told. } }

shetji Jerjibhoy School for Parsees

wildered "Bemmle" Innded in a of Edinburgh. London which had gone mad with delight at the signing of the Araristice.

with

plenty natural vivacity.

ሀ. ስ horrow. money from

L

in London came to his alti. Mr. His dread of the dark.

LIKE MADMAN

Ruxton ran out of the house like. drove to the station. at full speed 'n madman, Jumped ino his car and

just before the train left, and had through the town. Ho caught her an alterention with her on the plat form.

Then he rounded on the porter who had put her bag in the carriage. "You had no right to let her do it!" he exclaimed."

Then they made up the quarrel

So, In November 11, 1918, a be-lodgings in the Marchumount district Members of the Parsee Association A strange trait in his nature was Mrs. Isabella Ess was in Edin-Dastoor. City accountant und priest Although he went for his car. in Burgh girl of no great, good looks but of Zoroastrian religion in Lon- the mornings to his lock-up garage

dan, Introduced him to various near the police station, he was afraid She had married a young Dutch Parsee doctors who were practising to garage it at night. Delle always man when she was eighteen, Both in London,

put the ear away for him. realised that their marriage was a

"I am afraid that some one will mistake. youthful infatuation.

come up behind me in the dark and hit me on the head," was his excuse.

He disliked dark rooms in the most lovingly and drove back homo house, and insisted on all the together.

told

He was met and guided to a hostel | in Cromwell-road, S.W.. where he ved for eight months. He passed the London matriculation examina tion in 1919, studied for a few months at University College, and returned to Bombay in July 1910.

A

Six weeks later they separated, and Yan Es returned to Holland. Mrs. Van Ess found employement as Edinburgh General Post Office. a waitress at Fairley's Cafe, near

WEA hin

SHABBY CLOTHES Ruxton acted as assistant and lacum tenens to doctors in Highbury and Tooting. The work was heavy. Ruxton did not get on well with his professional brethren, and moved from one doctor to another as oppor- tunity occurred,

חזה

lights belug turned on. Even when On another occasion he they were to be away from home. Iriends and acquaintances that he he left standing Instructions that and his wife rad quarrelled furiously, all the lights must be switched on In Lanenster Rolle maintained a at nights. Their electele light bllis proud reserve regarding her differ ences with Ruxton. But she un- burdened herself to Mrs. Nelson, her sister.

were enormous.

Three years of study at the Grant Medical College, Bombay, followed, and in 1922 he passed his medical

VAIN, JEALOUS examination, gaining the highest marks of his year in medient juris-went regularly to the cafe, He intro- prospect of growing rich receded.

Ruxton and another Indlan doctor;

His clothes became shabby, and the prudence and midwifery.

dued himself to her

Ho broke away from his own A BORROWER

Although Ruxton feared the dark as Captain Gabriel Hakim, ate of the Indian people for a time and became assist alone, he liked nothing better than Young Dr. Hakim Hoon became he was in love with her.

Medical Service, and told her that at to Dr. A. Hoda, a Mosiem, of a drive in the Lake District at night, Captain Hakim of the Indian Medi-

Forest-road, Walthamstow, E. Dr. if he had company. cal Service.

"Cail mo Bomunie,

hor Hoda remembers Hakim, the little ho asked her

"The moon is full," he said more For two years Ruxton saw service Christian name was Belle. He ex-struck De Hoda as being a very Windermere. It's so romantic."

when he had discovered that hor Parce doctor who stayed with him than once to Belle and her friends. in Bagdad and Basrah. His brother

for only eight weeks during 1928. He "Let's go and watch It shine on officers, several of whom are now in mother's pet name for him, and that humble type of man, crushed by ad-

plained that "Bommie': London, remember bim

His romanticism extended to aconit made him feel less lonely to be scientious, capable doctor, but with

versity,

love

of poetry. One of his favourite uncontrollable

He once conflded to Dr. Hoda poems was "The Secret of Death," called by it. temper and weakness for borrowing money.

that he was desperately in love contained in Sir Edwin Arnold's col- In May 1925 Ruxton returned to ambitious. He showed intense an-

with a girl in Edinburgh.

lection of Oriental poetry. Ruxton at last found a haven and The Bombay Jehangiri Ghadlela noyance if she smiled at other men Here, he met Dr. A. D. Jilla, another other books for a few pence at the Tho treasured, much-thumbed bal (Pearl) customers in the restaurant.

friend in the slums of Stepney, volume was sold with parcela of He was five years younger than his bride.

fler three married esters, Mrs. Pare doctor, who now has a prae- auction of Ruxton's goods after his The wedding ceremony was

Nelson, Mr. Madden, and Mrs. tice in Poplar. formed with Parsee rites at the were dismayed when Ruxton

Dr. Jilla introduced him to Dr. Treach, who all lived in Edinburgh, B. R. Rygate, an English doctor in specially marked in the margin. It I noticed that a passage had been Atlah-lahram, the Parse Fire Templo, where priests stand

to them ** "Belle's Cannon-street-road. Stepney, who read Introduced

Who, knowing it threefold. Offers it thrice Bayfears not

Дл

Lost! 42 Pounds

of Fat In 12 Weeks

Relle soo found that her dark- skinned love was vain, jealous, and

rich

WAS

and famous some day. Ambi- tious herself, covetous of wealth and position, she thought that Ruxton with her help might do big things. Meanwhile Ruxton had eat at Indians, U.S.A., alnce Edinburgh for his F.R.C.S. diploma taking Bankore, Th and failed. He gave up his position

was then more than seventy years Belle liked to hear her "Bommie" old and needed an assistant. boast of what a clever doctor he

Afr. I. Kudish, a Stopney chemist way, and how he was going to be fow doors

* away, usually made up Ruxton's prescriptions.

"Many people in 'this district awear by Dr. Ruxton to this day," to Several Mr. Kudish told me. women patients still speak of him when other doctors had failed." as the man who saved their lives

In 1020 Ruxton regularised his

That la the happy report of Mrs. Mar garet Mrak, Gu

arrest.

0

Many times she told Mrs. Nelson that she had a presentiment that Ruxton would kill her in a temper some day. "It won't be planned," she would say. "He'll just do it." In July 1033. his son Bill was born. Ruxton was delighted. "I have got a son now," he kept ex- claiming. Belle Ruxton chose his names, William Gladstone Stewart..

merit punishment and was focusers punished them when they did not He spoiled his three children. lle

lenient with then when they were

perly when Bominie spoils them naughty. Bello was often in despair. "How can I bring them up pro-

BO?" she wailed.

The Ruxions often went to Black- paol, where they usually stayed at Cast round hils body-dles refole-the Savoy Hotel, Ruxton dashed

my noose

Ingly.

And, passeth to the pence of Gwar gatok!"

Reading was Ruxton's favourite occupation. He despised any hobby or recreation like gardening or golf which involved physical exertion."

There were times when his eccen-

Amazing new treat in the oyo clinic of the. Edinburgh change of rame by deod and left tricity soomed akin to madness.

Tent banke

cest fat in the safe

and natural way by cleaning westes from 1h4 Initizes And removing mature from fully au, Take a little Penkori In Im!! = “glass of orange juice before meals for the best work. See how quickly your tim wanted pounds vanlah, by the "HAT stage shown shova. Eat plenty. Just, select" the ' foods' you like their proper combinator-so they do not turO to fal Fise at shows how to cho the correct combinations Know the Joz of baith and a slim, attractive, youthful Agure. For sale at all chemista

Infirmary, and decided to return to Stepney.. London.

?

"I will soon save up

enough money

to buy a practice,'

FOLLOWED HIM

The bath at his house in Dalton- square was chipped and shabby. He installed the now porcelain bath "Later on I will come back to Edin-tried for a third time to obtain his

he told Belle.] He again went to Edinburgh and trial.

which figured so prominently at his burgh for you."

When the new bath was in post- Before Ruxton left Edinburgh they On his return to London he accepted to use it but himself. He put the F.R.C.S. degree. Again Ire failed, tion be gave orders that none was mado

an arrangement that they n position with Dr. J. Kanaga, of old bath in the cellar. There the would marry when Belle's marriage Bounds Green-road, Wood Green, N. other members of the family and with her Dutch husband had been another Parsee doctor. dissolved.

sorvants had Innbolla Van Eas had followed him

take their baths, At their leave-taking

Mrs. Ruxton found "Bommic's" Ruxton to London. She had told her staters cleanliness exccesive and expensive "bound" Bello to him ceremoniously. In Edinburgh In September 1928 that in laundry bills.. with a chain of gold.

It was a thin chain with tiny she could get free from her marriage complete set of clean underwear and who was going to Holland to see if Each morning a clean shirt and

round the sido shows with the zest of mail boy. He loved to be photo- graphed in ridiculous positions.

SINISTER SIDE

•

There was a sinister alde, how- ever, to Ruxon's attentions to his children, if Bolle Ruxton was telling

the truth.

She complained to one of her sisters that when two-year-old

· Dlana cried out continually in the night, Ruxton would get out of bed and put the child to sleep with a whiff of anaesthetic.

more dangerous,

Ruxton's temper became oven

he had quarrelled violently with her Even in their early Lancaster days

with another doctor, because he said she danced too much

(Continued on Page 7):

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