ANOTHER tragic 'love story' which ended with the sounds of gunshots also took place towards the end of the 1800s.

Peter Tavy was to witness one of Dartmoor's most violent crimes 113 years ago.

In rural areas in those days, people never travelled far and everyone knew each other, the chances were that a man's wife came from nearby and competition for young girls was fierce.

William Williams had taken a shine to a 17-year-old Tavistock girl, Emma Doidge. As time passed his fancy grew into firstly a passion and then a jealous obsession.

But despite his attentions, Emma was not in the least bit interested.

She would never be rude to her admirer but she did not encourage the man.

William Rowe was another matter. He also lived in Peter Tavy and Emma definitely had designs on him. He was 21 and came from a long established local family.

Before long they would often be seen 'walking out'.

William Williams was the spurned man and over time, his jealousy turned into a deep hatred of William Rowe.

In early November, William Williams went to Tavistock and purchased a revolver and bullets. Having loaded the gun he hid it under his coat and made his way to Peter Tavy Church, where he believed he would find Emma and William.

His assumption was correct — a heated argument took place and Williams stormed out of the church. Emma and William went to walk home, but halfway down the lane William Williams suddenly leapt out of the hedge.

Williams coldly aimed the pistol at his rival and with a look of sheer hatred squeezed the trigger. William Rowe fell to the ground — some say he was dead before he crumpled into the lane.

Emma became hysterical and flung herself over the body. She then regained her senses and flew at Williams like a screaming banshee. Another shot rang out and Emma fell to the ground.

Williams looked down at the sad crumpled body of Emma and the corpse of Rowe and then realised the enormity of what he had done.

Williams raised the gun to his head and a third shot rang out.

But the bullet had only grazed his head. With blood streaming down his cheeks, Williams once again placed the gun to his head.

A fourth shot boomed out across the lane, followed by screams of agony. This time Williams had managed to blast out one of his eyes.

In panic and pain he made his way to the River Tavy and attempted to drown himself in the icy waters.

By this time some villagers had come to see what all the commotion was about and spotted him flinging himself into the river.

They pulled Williams out. Half his face was missing, and much to his despair, he was still alive.

The following March, Williams had recovered enough to stand trial at which he pleaded 'not guilty' to the murders of Emma Doidge and William Rowe on grounds of 'insanity'.

Clearly these were premeditated murders as Williams had purposefully gone to Tavistock to buy the gun with which he shot the couple. His three suicide attempts were not enough to sway the judge and on March 28, 1893, William Williams was executed for his 'crime of passion'.

l Emma Holmes Doidge, aged 17, was the eldest daughter of John Doidge, farmer and warden of Peter Tavy Church. William Williams, 21, was the eldest son of a farmer and miller in Peter Tavy. And William Rowe, 21, was in the employment of the the Rev Dr Bryant, rector of Peter Tavy. The father of William Rowe was also in the service of Dr Bryant, and was the organist of the church.

Information courtesy of Tim Sandles.