THE SOUTHAMPTON TRAGEDY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1688, 15 October 1887, Page 3

THE SOUTHAMPTON TRAGEDY.

It appears that the young man Richard bod, who after murdering his two aiaton committed Buiolde on Thursday, at Laura Piaoe, Southampton, waa 23 years of age, and working as a clerk In tha Royal Mail Steam Packet Company's office. He appears to have gone home on Thursday about halfpsst eleven o'clock, and found the front door bolted, at which he waa coneiderabiy annoyed. One of his sistera came down stairs and let him m. She remonstrated with him for staying out co late, when he at once got into a terrible passion, and declared he would murder all m the bonne. Going upßtaira he seized two revolvers, and made a rush for his mother, who, however, succeeded m escaping into her bedroom and securing the door. His sister Emma, of whom it waa said he wt»s very fond, went to protect her mother, but received a revolver Bhot m the breast and fell down. He next attacked a second sister, named Florence, who rushed to the drawingroom window aud cried for help, but received a shot on the neck. The ahots were heard by some young men who were paeaing, and atao by Constable Bogglen on the beat. The constable and several others burst open the door, and on entering found both the young ladiea m a pool of blood. Miss Emma waa then evidently m a dying state but the other waa conscious, and m reply to Bogglen said her brother had fired the shots. Medical aid waa at once sent for, and Dr Wade was soon m attendance. Miss Emma, who was ahct on the breast, died shortly afterwards' A soaroh was made for Riohardeon, who wm ultimately found on the landing just outside the servant's door, who, on hearing his threats locked herself m. When found he was bleeding at the month, and had a revolver m his hand. He lost a large quantity of blood, the stair carpets being perfectly saturated with it. He died about one o'clock m the morning. Miss Florence is lying m a very precarious state, the wound on her neck being considered daneerouß. — " Weekly Herald."