The Tragedy at Maryborough.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 347, 23 June 1894, Page 3

The Tragedy at Maryborough.

From Sydnej papers to hand yesterday «he following particulars of the poisoning of fire children by the r mother (who afterwards committed suit-lie) at Maryborough, Queensland, are gleaned :— Tlie shocking affair took pluce on the 9th iuetant The names and age? of the children wore: — Annio (11J iears). Matilda (8), Mary (5), Fannie (4,) and Willie (2). The mother gave t be children an applo each, then gave them some carbolic acid, and t<!ok some herself She toJd the children that the acid vrus medicine. The oldrst b<>y, John, refufei the draught, and ran away. Tho husband of the woman Spence is a slaughterman. He was away at the time, having been arres'ed for drunkenness. Ho spent the Saturday night in the lock-up, and was released on Sunday ab >ut eleven a in. The four children died after screaming in terrible ngonr. The mother died first, at seven o'clock on Saturday night, and tbe children succumbed at various times between then till four pm. on Snndny. One child, the youngest, is expected to recover, though he is badly burut about the mouth, arms, chest, and face. AH the doctors (four) in town attended the victims, but their seryices, excepting in tb<» case of the youngest child, proved of no avitil Mrs Spence was a good wife of temperate habits, and was very fond of her children. The tragedy caused great excitement in tbe town, and the street and hou*c were visited bv large numbers of people. Spence, the father of the children had received notice of dismissal from his situation. _^________