A SOUTHAMPTON TRAGEDY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1654, 1 November 1887, Page 3

A SOUTHAMPTON TRAGEDY.

It appears that the young man Richardson, who, after murdering his two sisters, committed suicide at Laura Place, Southampton, was 28 years of age, and was working as a ' clerk in the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company’s office. He appears to have gone home on Thursday about half-past eleven o’clock, and found the front door bolted, at which he was considerably annoyed. One of his sisters came downstairs an'l let him in. She remonstrated with him for staying out so late, when he at once got into a terrible passion, and declared he would murder all in the house. Going upstairs he seized two revolvers, and made a rush for his mother, who, however, succeeded in escaping into her bedroom and securing the door, tiis sister Emma, of whom it was said he was very fond, went to protect her mother, but received a revolver shot in the breast, and fell down. He next attacked a second sister, named Florence, who rushed to the drawing-room window and shouted for help, but received a shot in the neck. The shots were heard by some young men who were passing, and also by Constable Bogglen on the beat. The ■constable and several others burst open the door, and on entering found both the young ladies in a pool of blood. Mies Emma was then evidently in a dying state, but the other was conscious, and in reply to Bogglen said her brother bad fired the shots. Medical aid was at once sent for, and Dp Wade was soon in attendance. Miss Emma, who was shot in the breast, died shortly afterwards. A search was made for Richardson, who was ultimately found on the landing just outside the servant’s door, who, on hearing his threats, locked herself in. When found he was bleeding at the mouth, and bad a revolver in his hand. He lost a large quantity of blood, the stair carpets being perfectly saturated with it. He died about one o’clock in the morning. Miss Florence is lying in a very precarious state, the wound on her neck being considered dangerous.