Tragedy in Melbourne.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 129, 27 September 1895, Page 2

Tragedy in Melbourne.

A shocking tragedy, involving a murder and a suicide, was committed at West Melbourne early on the morning of September 9th. The author of the crime was John Walsh, aged 48, and ex-railway employe. He had been out of regular work for the past ,2£ years. During this period his wife had acted as breadwinner, having a wage of £1 per week for working as charwoman at the Commercial Bank. Two years ago Mrs Walsh had her husband bound over to keep the peace. Latterly he treated her badly, in consequence of which she instituted proceedings against him for assault. The charge was to have been heard on Monday morning. It is believed this fact was the principal motive for the crime. Mrs Walsh rose about 6 o'clock, and was preparing herself a hasty breakfast, when her husband came out of his bedroom with a revolver in his hand, and fired at her. Mrs Walsh threw up her hands, and the bullet passed through the wrist of her left arm. The commotion aroused her son Harnet Walsh, aged 14, and he did his best to shield his mother, trying to hurry her out of the house. Tney were moving towards the back door, when Walsh fired a second shot, which just missed his son's head. The third shot grazed Mrs Walsh's head, and the fourth entered her body, causing her death. The murderer then returned to his bedroom and put a bullet into his own brain.