SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 418, 13 May 1871, Page 2

SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

Tne quiet; township of Caversham was this morning the scene of a tragedy so horrible in its character that the bare thought of it almost makes one's blood run cold. With one exception, and that happened some years ago, when a poor woman at Taiari destroyed her own life and that of her three children, when suffering from a disease peculiar to women, ut a critical period of their lives, no crime so great iias occurred ii Otago. Just as the traveller enters Caveraham from the city, may be noticed a public-house, known os the " All Nations Hotel," It was there tbat Agata McPhee, wife of Donald McPhee, the landlord of the house, has resided with her family for some time. Her character has been that wbich every modest woman should be, and amongst her neighbours she has enjoyed the respect and esteem wbich are due to a woman attentive to her household duties, and whose married life has been exemplary. ' The peace of the household had been disturbed within the la9.t few days; but the causes which led to that disagreement were unknown to the world, and were in no measure attributable to her. But they preyed upon her mind to such an extent, that in her agony she destroyed one of her cbildren, and attempted her own life. It was a little alter seven o'clock this morning when her husband, who at the time was filling the horse trough in front of his house, was informed by his little girl that her mother and sister were lying dead on the floor of her bedroom. Proceeding there, he encountered a sight such as we sincerely hope none of our readers may ever be called upon to Jwitness. On the floor weltering in :heir blood lay t.he mother and her daughter Welly—a fair-hair child, hardly four years' old. The little one appeared at first sight to have been, beheaded, but a close inspection showed that such was not the case. Very nearly was it, .though; for the poor little one's head was only joined to the body by a small band of flesh. The appearance was as though its head had been hacked off with a butcher's knife, for such was the instrument which had been used. The child lay on its back, fully dressed; but the room bore no marks of any struggle between it and the mother. She had a long cut across her throat, but her efforts to deprive herself of life were not so determinedly made as they were upon her cbild—doubtless her strength was not equal to her purpose—and none of the main arteries were severed. After the alarm wa3 raised no time was lost in sending to.town for. medical assistance. Dr. Hammond was got, and proceeded to the spot, had the woman, removed to an adjoining room, and sewed up her wounds. At one period of the day her condition was very critical; but she has improved during the afternoon. She is still very weak from the loss of blood, and her life cannot be said to be out of danger. There are circumstances connected with the matter which will supply the motive for the deed, but these must be made public by means of the coroner's inquest, which will probably be held to-mor-row. Mrs. McPhee is about 35 years of age. —Dunedm Evening Star. "