Murderous Affray in Sydney. A BUTCHER STABS HIS WIFE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 315, 10 November 1888, Page 5

Murderous Affray in Sydney. A BUTCHER STABS HIS WIFE.

i One of the most horrible and atrocious stabbing affrays on rocord was perpetrated shortly after after 5 o'clock on the evening of tho 24th ult. in Newtown, Sydney, and which will doubtless eventuate in the dGabh of the unfortunate woman. From what can be fathered of the circumstances in connection with the murderous affair, it would appear that nobody was present when ib happened, with the exception of tho assailant and the victim, and , therefore the {particulars of the case were only obtainable from a statement made by the poor woman her&elf. It seems that at about the time stated, a butcher named William Thomson, whose principal business is that of a tripe vendor, and who resided with his wife at 555, Kingstrect, Newtown, was busily engaged cleaning tripe in the yard at the narofthc premises. While in the middle of his duty his wito, Mary Thomson, went out into the yard ior the purpose ol getting some wood tor tho lire, when her husband confronted her with the accusation that .she was " a lazy woman." This was immediately followed by a right-handed blow from Thomson, who struck his wife in tho face. A scuffle then ensued, and the wifo seized hold of her husband's hat, and endeavoured to hold his head down. Ho, howevei 1, was the stronger of the two, and with boiling rage, picked up a large butcher's knife which he had been using while cleaning the tripe, and deliberately stabbed his wile in the abdomen. The heartrending screams ot the butcnered woman soon brought assistance. The police were instantly acquainted with the occurrence, and she was taken to the Prince Alfred Hospital with all pos-iblo haste. On anival at the institution she was attended by Dr. McAli&ter, who ordered her immediate removal to the accident ward. On a further examination in the ward the doctor found that the wound was an extensive one, and that the woman's entrails were protruding. To make matters worse, it was also f-een that she was enceinte, and presented a horrible spectacle, which can be bettor imagined than described. The wound was at once stitched up by the doctor, and the woman placed under treatment; but from tho first no hope was enteifcaitied for her recovery. This morning Mrs Thomson's condition became so serious that Mr Fielder, J.P., was sent for to take

HER DYING STATEMENT of the outrageous and murderous attemptMr Fielder proceeded at once with Mr In" hpeefcor Larlcin to the hospital, and the woman was hardly able to relate the circumstances in consequence of her low state.

THE BUTCHER WAS ARRESTED hoitly aftereoccurr tnence, and his wife's death may be expected at any moment, as it is said she will not survive the day. The affair has created quite a sensation in Newtown, moie especially in the neighbourhood in which the couple lived, as both persons seemed to have been well liked, and appeaied to have lived happily together previous to the affray.