Horrible Murder and Suicide.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 12, 7 July 1883, Page 3

Horrible Murder and Suicide.

TWO HEADS BLOWN OFF BY DYNAV.ITE (PER UNITED PBESS ASSOCIATION.} Dunedin, This Day. - Shortly after 7 o'clock last evening the residents of Manor Place were Btartled with the intelligence that a murder and suicide had been committed in the locality. Mr Donald Cargill and his brother, whilst conversing at the corner of Lees street street, suddenly heard a lou d report as of the firing of. some explosive material. Hurrying to the spot where the sound came, they were horrified by finding r man's body hanging over a fence alongside the street line, and the body of a female lying prostrate at the man's feet. Both bodies were headless, the pavement being strewn with brains and covered with blood. The sight was sickening beyond description. The bodies, which presented a most ghastly appearance, were removed to the morgue by Constable Parker. On enquiry, it was learned that the victim of this tragedy was Mrs Stephenson, and that the murderer was her husband, George Timothy Stephenson. Mrs Stephenson is well known in Danedia. She for some time past has occupied the position of head milliner at Saunders, Mcßeath and Co. She was a daughter of Mr Stenhouse, of Maitland-street, and has been separated some time from her husband who has quite recently been engaged as groom for Champbell, Cruet, and Co. Of course what transpired at their meeting can never be known, as no one was near at the time. It is believed that dynamite was the explosive substance used. The affair has created the greatest excitement ia the neighborhood. Later. The Stephenson, referred to in the ease of murder nnd suicide, was not a banker at Mosgiel, but many years ago was clerk in the Bank of iNew South Wales in Cromwell. Afteiwards, acout 1878, he went to Taranaki, where he resided some time. His wife had before then left him.