A SINGULAR COMPACT.

Waipawa Mail, Volume I, Issue 11, 19 October 1878, Page 2

A SINGULAR COMPACT.

Recently, in Melbourne, a man n.emed baxby, attempted to murder his wife and then tried to commit suicide by cutting his throat. On the Gtli instant, he waf charged with the offence in the City LAiurt. Ihe prisoner, who was still in a very weak state, was provided with a seat on the floor of the court. A letter found m his pocket when taken to the hospital was read, stating that he had married his wife three years ago; that before that she w_as servant to a tobacco merchant by whom she became pregnant. The tobacco merchant then married her to his groom who ill-treated her. She left the iroom! who died, and she then married Saxby a compact being sworn on the Bible that whichever of them should first be unfaithful, should be killed by the other, who was then to kill himself, or herself as the case might be. As the wife had been unfaithful, it became the husband’s duty to carry out the compact. He wished everyone to know that he was perfectly cool and collected when he arrived at this decision. Evidence was tbemgiven respectmg the committal of the offence. Mr Read who defended the prisoner, stated that he was mate of the ill-fated Scorn bergh, wrecked near Cape C&uray over twenty years ago, when con,Traded by the well-known Captain Forbes. The Bench committed th.e prisoner for trial and refused bail. *