MAN MURDERS HIS WIFE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9133, 30 April 1908, Page 6

MAN MURDERS HIS WIFE.

SHOOTS HIS FATHER-IN-LAW.

A FBENZIED DEED.

Melbourne, April IS!. A terrible case of murder and attempted murder occurred last night at Dobie, about four miles from Ararat. Ohas. Henry Deutschmann, about 40 years of age, shot his wife, Isabella Jane Deutschmanu, 37 years of age, killing her on the spot, and also shot his father-in-law, John Collie, 65 years of age, an old resident of the district, bat, fortunately, in the latter case the injuries are not of a dangerous nature.

It appears that Deutschmaun and his wife have not lived happily together, the husband being addicted to drink, and ill--treated her. He arrived in Ballarat from Melbourne on Saturday reaching Dobie at about 7.30 p.m. He lost very little time in getting out to Collie’s place, about a mile and a half distant, where his wife was staying. Some’ time after Deutschmanu arrived, under the influence of liquor, Mr and Mrs Collie went to bed, and Were followed shortly afterwards by Deutschmann ; and his wife. Quarrelling soon commenced, and went on to such an extent that both Oolile and his wife went into. Deutschmann’s room several and said he would JAt last H? Collie went in, and said’, to Leut^ o | imauu that he would have to leave the house. Deutschmann said, “All right,” and went out.. The old man followed him, and triedl to pacify him. As they were returning to the house, Collie looked round at the door, and Deutschmanu, it isalleged, pulled a revolver out of his pocket, and fired at him. The bullet lodged somewhere under the armpit. Deutschmann then went to the bedroom, and heat his wife. Whenshe attempted to escape, it is that he fired at her in the dining--room. The bullet struck her in the* centre of the back, under the lef6 shoulder blade, and about Sin. from the spine. Deutschmann then began to knock her about, and the unfortunate woman ran to her wounded father for assistance, calling outi “Help!” The door of the room in, which her father was, however,, was barred, Mrs Collie being inside. Deutschmann, it is alleged, again turned on his wife, saying, “I’ll Jiang for both of yon,” and fired again at her. The bullet struck her in the chest, nd she was killed almost instantaneously.

Dentschmann, it is said, repeated to Collie the statement that he “would hang for both.” He was then heard dragging the body of hia wife to the door of the room.

When arrested tiiis morning, Dentschmann said: “Yon might as well hang me to-morrow.” On him was found a six-chambered revolver, fully loaded, in his coat pocket. The police are in possession of letters which his wife had written to her husband, asking him to reform. In reply, Dentschmann wrote threatening letters that he would kill her if she did not return to Ballarat.

Dentschmann is charged with the murder®of hisjwife and the attempted murder of his father-in-law.