AN AWFUL TRAGEDY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2581, 26 January 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN AWFUL TRAGEDY.

The market town of Stupociane, in fJulicia was t.lio scene of a terrible tragedy recently. About three years ago a native of the locality left his home for America, promising his wife and children who remained behind, that he would send

them money for their journey as soon as he should earn it. About a week ago the magistrate received from the United States a post office order tor 1000 florins, accompanied by a letter in which he was requested by tiie emigrant to hand over the money to his wife, and to assist her in making the necessary prepartions for her journey. On receipt of the letter the magistrate paid the sum to the woman resolving at the same time to get it back into his possession. He took his wife and eldest daughter into his confidence. and, after disguising them in some of his own clothes and blackening their laces sent them at midnight to the woman's cottage with instructions to threaten her and her children with death should they offer any resistance. On arriving at the cottagc they demanded a thousand florins. The emigrant's wife, who seems to have kept her presence of mind, told them to follow her to the stable, where she said she had hidden the money for safety. No sooner were the two women inside than she locked the door from without, and taking up a hatchet for selF defence in case of need, she sent her son, a boy of 11, for the magistrate. When the lad got there the magistrate thrashed him till life was extinct. I'lis cries were overheard by the gendarmes, who came and placed the magistrate in irons, but not before one of them had been mortally wounded in the struggle. When the stable door was opened the two women iuside were found to have committed suicide by hanging themselves, fearful of the consequences of their intended crime.