THE ORMONDVILLE TRAGEDY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1138, 22 February 1884, Page 3

THE ORMONDVILLE TRAGEDY.

Napier, February 14. Kdwards was broug.it at the Hejioent Magistiace’s Court at Ormondville to-day,, and c rnilnitted for trial on the charge of murdering his wife and family. Yesterday he made the following statement in the preae ce of the Herald’s reporter (*• the crowd ’’ referred to are. of course, ores dons of his disearel imagination):— “I had very little sleep for four nights ha fore the murler. I was all t-ght on Sunday, hut towards evening I got strange fancies in my heal. I fanciel I heard a crowd of people outside the housa threatening to hmoi me and my family alive. I then got the piece of firewood, and got it ready to defend myself and family. I waited >. one time for them to come. My wife wanted to go for ihe constable, and askel ms to go myself, as she was sure , that lie would stop with us for the night if asked to do so ; but f was atraid of going myself or nt letting her go on account of the fancies in my head and the voices I had heard outside previoudy. [ got better, an I told her that 1 thought I would he all right. I put. the piece of wood in tha fie. But I heard them coming again, and took it off and put it beside me, and watched the door. My wife went in and out of the bedroom different times, and lay down with exhansti m, as she had very little sleep for fire nights. All at once 1 heard a whole crowd outside singing out that they were going to burn us all alive. I jumped up, and went into the bedroom and knocked my wife senseless with the piece of wood, and then the children. I did this that they would not feel the pain when I was catting their throats. I could not stand to see them burned alive. I then out my own throat, but the knife being blunt I could not finish it, as I heard them coming, and 1 crawled under the big bed out of their roid. I lay there some time. I then heard them on the back of the house, I got out in the garden, and hid behind a tree ; but they would not leave mo. I then ran across the paddock towards Plank’s, bun they followed me I lefc there and went to Pyke’s, bin I heard them again and hi I under the br dge, as I thought they would not follow me he:e. When I 10l l Plank I would not be taken, I did not think of you (Constable S hub z) or the i dice. I was speaking of be crowd round me. I believe I wid be hung for it. 1 deserve it. I hope they won't keep me long. I want to meet rny wife and family I think I will go to the same place as they have, as they will for,ive me.’’