SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2559, 1 May 1871, Page 2

SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

The quiet township of Caversham was this morning the scene of a ragedy 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, where a poor woman at Taieri destroyed her own life and that of her three children, when suffering from a disease peculiar to women at a critical period of their lives, no crime so great has occurred in Otago. Just as the traveller enters Caversham from the City may he noticed a publichonse, known as the “All Nations Hotel.” It was there that Agatha M'Phee, wife of Donald M’Phce, the landlord of the house, has resided with her family for some time. Her character has been that which every modest woman's should be, an i amongst her neighbors she has enjoyed the respect and esteem which 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 last 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 children, and attempted her own iife. It was a little after 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 ou 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 witness. On the floor weltering in their blood lay the mother and her daughter Nelly—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 child—doubtless her strength was not equal to her purpose—and none of the main arteries were severed. After the alarm was raised no lime 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; hut she has improved during the afternoon. IShe is still very weak from the loss of blood, and her life cannot bo said to be out of danger. There are circumstances connected with the matter which will supply the motive for the deed ; hut these must be made public by means of the corouci’s inquest, whi hj will probably he held to-morrow. Mrs M'Phe is about thirty-five yea's of age.