Attempted Murder in Timaru.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 112, 15 April 1885, Page 2

Attempted Murder in Timaru.

The following are the particulars of a most atrocious crime committed m Timaru last week, but which the Association agent there only sent a couple of lines about :— lt appears that a Mrs Lucas, wife of a man employed m the harbor, was confined of her first child about two o'clock m the afternoon, and an hour or two later Lucas threatened to kill her. As he had been m the habit of ill-treating her, no special importance was attached to this threat, but the nurse took the precaution to hide his razors and the knives. Later on he reentered the house and took away such money as there was, "with which he went down town. About a quarter to ten he returned, and, iadvancing to the bedside, informed bis wife that he was going to kill her, and would do it m such a way as. to cause instant death. Having vainly searched for a razor, he drew his. pocket-knife, and going to the head of the bed, tried to stab her m the neck, near the spinal cord. She put up her hand to ward off the blow, and m consequence her fingers were dreadfully hacked. He then stabbed her : several times about the neck. Terrified at his action, the poor woman, with the temporary strength of despair, got put of bed, and the door, having somehow been opened, she got outside. Meantime, the monster threatened to do for the nurse also, but she got away, and favoured by the darkness, the pair escaped. They ran along the street screaming " Murder." On reaching.the house of a neighbour who had been aroused by the |noise ; the poor creature fell fainting at the door. The man opened the door, and,' instantly" picking the woman up, conveyed her to a bed m an inner room, and locked his door to prevent the brutal assailant from bursting it m, m pursuit. Medical aid : was obtained, and search made to see whai had become of her baby, which, m he* flight, she had left m the bed. The infant was found to be uninjured. Lucag had hidden himself m some willows," and was not found until 2 o'clock m the morning, when he was secured. The pair have been married six years, and then- first child was the one born yegter". day. The man is of forbidding ap&arance, and has been known to illtreat hig wife, who has always been looked upon as a thoroughly respectable, inoffensive younff woman.