HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.

Evening Star, Issue 4007, 29 December 1875, Page 3

HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.

One of those shocking occurrences which periodically horrify society was enacted in the heart of Melbourne on the evening of December 17. Shortly after G o’clock two loud reports in quick succession were heard in the neighborhood of a cottage, 134 Flinders lane east, and a crowd quickly collected. The constable on duty at once burst open the door of the house, and on entering a bedroom off the passage saw a shocking sight. The room was full of smoke, and dimly seen were the bodies of a man and woman lying on the bed. The sheets and blankets wore covered with blood, which was pouring in a stream on to the floor. The constable turned the body of the man over, and then made the discovery t’ at more than one-half of the head was blown completely off. On the floor was found a recently discharged six-chambered revolver, covered with blood and brains, The woman was found to be unconscious, and bleeding profusely from a gunshot wound in the right temple. She was promptly removed to the hospital, where, after a short time, she recovered Bufficient’y to narrate the circumstances attendant on the affair. Deceased, whoso name was John Mankiwicy, was a Prussian by birth, and at the lime of hi j death had just pa-red his forty-second year. Exactly a year ago ' estc relay be married thcov man Alice Buckley, and since that time he ap pears to have led a nomadicsori-of existence, being chiefly supported by his wife. Although she led a questionable life, be appeared to be inordinately fond of her, and at times was overcome by lbs of jealous rage, during which ho mads throats of vio-

lence if he found proofs of her faithlessness. Lately ho had ill-treated her. and this caused a separation. She still retained possession of the house, however, and he visited her at short intervals. During the past week he was reduced to pawning his clothes, and yesterday morning his wife gave him a sovereign to relieve his wants, at the same time te ling him to take his overcoat out of pawn. He then left, and nothing more was heard of him until about six o’clock in the evening, when he returned and knocked at the door. A little girl, about seven years of age, opened the door, andheaskedforhiswife, who was dressing in the bedroom. The child calh d out that a gentisman wanted to see her, and he then opened the cloor and walked in. His wife was in the act of putting ou her dress, and advanced to meet him, but he turned round and locked the door. She was somewhat alarmed by his manner, and asked him what was the matter. He caught her by the arm, and shouted out “Here is your money, ” at the same time throwing some silver on the bed. She struggled to get free, and he struck her on the face, and threw her on the bed saying, “We have been married twelve mouths to-day, and will have an end of it,” Putting his hand into one of his pockets, he pulled out a revolver, and before she could get out of the way fired it pointblank at her head. After this she remembered nothing more until she recovered at the hospital

■ he woman escaped with slight injury, the side of her face be:ng scorched with the ex plosion, which caused the blood to flow. It is supposed that the chamber which was fired at her was loaded only with powder. Finding that she fell down insensible he imagined that his purpose has been effected, and he then deliberately put the pistol into his mouth, the result being that the whole of one side of the Lead was carried clean away. The walls, ll or, and bed were bespattered over with blood and brains, and the corpse, as found by the constable, presented a sickening eight. A letter, which was found on the rightlnnd side of the body, showed plainly that deceased had contemplated the murder of his wife and suicide. Ihe letter was of an extraordinary character, containing charges against bis wife, couched in a tone of raving, and intimating his intention of blowing out his brains before her, so that his “ mangled carcase ” might ever be in her sight, and his ghost might, if possible, return, and drive her to madness.