Extraordinary Murder Case

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 33, 28 August 1886, Page 3

Extraordinary Murder Case

Svd.iey August 14. Rho Caroline Reynolds, wife of Alfred Reynolds, stonemason, living 1 near town, was found on Thursday evening in a state of unconsciousness. When brought to, she stated her husband had compelled her to drink opium under a threat to cut her throat. . She died early this morning from the effects of poison, It appears Eeyj nolds, who bears the character of a drunken, cruel husband, had been in the habit of ill-treating his wife, who was a respectable women and good housewife. Reynolds had threatened her life of late, and a few days ago he : compelled her to writo a letter con- ': fessing she had done a great wrong, deceived her husband, and made a ! great deal of trouble, and stating her intention to commit suicide, as she was very miserable and did not wish to cause further trouble, and would be better dead. She was further obliged to mention that her husband was in no way responsible for her death. This letter, signed by Mrs Reynolds, and addressed to her mother, was found by the police, who were directed where to find it by the unfortunate woman. Mrs Reynolds stated that last evening her husband mixed some opium in a cup of water and stood over her with a carving knife and compelled her to drink the opium under the threat he would cut her head off. She drank the poison. Reynolds sat by and watched the effects of the drug until his wife was becoming stupefied. He then rushed out, when, however, by a strong effort she got up, took her baby in her arms and dragged herself to her mother's house a few doors away. She fell into a state of stupor, but medical assistance was obtained and she was restored to consciousness. It was expected she would recover, but she succumbed to the poison at half-past four this morning. Reynolds, who returned to the house shortly after the police arrived was arrested, and as his manner was strange he was sent to the hospital. He is only 26 yeai's old. The wife was two years younger. Thej r had been married seven years, and had three children, the youngest a baby eight weeks old. Roynolds at tho hospital was discovered to be suffering from the effects of narcotic pois >n, having attempted suicide, but is now quite recovered. He will be charged with wilful murder.