DOUBLE ATTEMPT AT MURDER IN SYDNEY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5267, 9 February 1878, Page 5 (Supplement)

DOUBLE ATTEMPT AT MURDER IN SYDNEY.

The Sydney Evening News of the 19th Jan. gives the following particulars respecting the recent attempted murders in that city Between 11 and 12 o’clock on the 18th instant a seaman named Altass, who has recently arrived in the schooner Star of the South, went to Frederic Lassettera and Co., in Georgestreet, and purchased a five-barrelled revolver and a box of detonating cartridges. He then proceeded to the house where his wife was living, in Kobin Hood lane, which runs between George and Pitt streets, near Hunter and Bond streets. It may be mentioned that when in Sydney he resides with his wife up to the time of his departure on a cruise, and that he provides her with the means of living. When he entered his home his wife was lying down, partly undressed, on the bed. Without any warning or remark he went up to her and deliberately fired at her heal, standing at the time but a distance of a few feet. Fully believing that he had killed her outright, he rushed out of the house and went to Michael Danaher’s butcher’s shop, near by. Mr. Danaher being busy at the rear of the premises, he said to the boy in the shop, “Tell Mike I want him.” The boy went in and told his master. When Mr. Danaher came outside, Altass, without saying anything, presented the revolver at his head and pulled the trigger. The cap, fortunately, missed fire. A struggle then ensued, and with the aid of bystanders Altass was arrested. Mrs. Altass, though partly stunned by the shot, was uninjured. Her face bears marks of the explosion. The alarm of the neighborhood can better be imagined than described. Tip to the time of his arrest Altass believed that he had killed his wife, and he expressed regret that he had not killed Danaher, as he ‘ had done for his wife.’ He also said he was sorry that he had been frustrated in his intention to put an end to a man named Adnum, whom he intended to shoot after he had shot Danaher. Mrs. Altass is a woman of not plain appearance, and is aged 23 years, and Danaher is aged 25 years. Altass said that jealousy and revenge impelled him to the commission of the offence. He charges his wife with infidelity. Altass was committed for trial by the Water Police Court.