Shocking Wife-Murder.

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 13, 13 July 1886, Page 4

Shocking Wife-Murder.

EFFECTS OF DRINK.

Melbourne, June 30

A murder of the most atrocious character was brought to light at Richmond early on Sunday morning. Tie particulars of the crime, in which the evils of;, d. ink were never more painfully brought out, are as follows : — Thomas Taylor, a laboring man, his wife, "and another laboring man. named Denis Hogan, for some time lived together in a cottage in Kenny street, a small thoroughfare off Church street. Taylor and Hogan came home about six o'clock on Friday eveuing, and Mrs Taylor was found under the influence of drink, and no meal was ready. Taylor was much put out, and some words ensued between him and h?s. wife. After partaking of cold fare, 'which they managed to find, Taylor drinking cold tea while his' companion drank beer, they left the house,& returning at eleven , o'clock, when they found the place in darkness. V^hilstout both men drank freely^ rum and beer. They went to bed Bhqrfly, after coming homeland to Hpgan. > wbo occupied the next j room jto his friend's apartment, everything deemed right and he quickly fell asleep^,. .The-, only sound of disturbance fe^etiped. Was Taylor speaking harshly to* his wife for not fetching him a^MUQdle, and at four o'clock he : was aSakened by. Taylor calling -out '•Dentty^eit up, Mary is dead." Hogan replied, -"What are you talking about man? Are you mad?" Taylor then said jbe had murdered his wife. Oh going into the kitchen the unfortunate woman was discovered by the light of a : inatch : lying on the floor in a horribly/ battered state. Taylor wished' to have the body placed on the bes, but his companion would not allow him. Both immediately went to the.Richmond Police-station, where they saw Senior-Constable Cpuche. Taylor at once confessed to the murder, and- volunteered a statement, which was to the effect that he had quarrelled with his wife in the kitchen On lier refusal to get him a candle, he had knocked her down and kicked her. j He had then gone to bed and slept: until four o'clock, when, having awakened and discovering that his Wife was hot by his side, he went to see if she was lying on the front room sofa.; Not finding her there he went to the, kitchen, and striking a match was horrified to find she was dead. Taylor. was arrested. The kitchen presented a horrible sight, large .quantities of blood lying about the floor, and the walls and even the ceiling w.eije .bespattered. Taylor and his 'wife, -were, both small people, quiet, aad ; were regarded as decent and respectable.' The' wife Occasionally got the worse for drink. An^iiaduest' was, held On Monday. The medical evidence' showed that the womah must have received a dreadful kicking; as well as other bad treatment. 7 'A On one side ten ribs were fracti-redy and on the other side two ribs." ll The chestbone was crushed in, and the/head,trunk and limbs were covered' with cuts and bruises, from the neck downwards. The injuries were the results of continued blowe and 4idks,o whilst- the more serious ■were caused by some- one having violently knelt or jumped upon deceased. There was also compression of the laryhxi as jthough 'throttling had been ':; attempted.: -iThis injury was inflicted at a- time when the woman waß almost dead^from the. other iv juries.. The Coroner's jury,; after a considerable retirement, found a verdict of "Wilful murder against Taylor." Thelprispner shows acute grief at his position. There was an affecting; scene in jthe. inquest room during the adjournment for lunch. The Coroner andr.-jiury? lef t the rpom, but Taylor remayfpji.jifl^it* f The brother of his late wifejMa-middtc aged man, named Huiley, jwhp was in a very excitable state, jwent^p to him, and said, *'Poor Tommy, your brother-in-law forgives jrou before a just God.." He then bensrdo)Wi.and .kissed Taylor. Both mems^d tearsj and Taylor qovered'. his lace "witE ;his. hands. Hurley evi_ ' dently looked upon the tragedy as tlie res^^^ -di^unken impulse, for he said^^h^y . ' were, as loving as' babies, " ' An Jjie-'declared that he. himself would find funds for his brother-in-law's defence rather than anything should hap_s&£to him. 0 :■■■..:■>■■■.