The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-08-06 00:00:00

SHOCKING MURDER OF A WIFE BY HER
HUSBAND, AND ATTEMeTED SUICIDE OF
THE MURDERKIL, IN ST. GILES'S.

The neighbourhood of Nowton-street, Holborn, abut.
ting upon the end of New Oaford-atreet, w.is thrown
into • state of great excitement on Friday m"ruing,
owing to • rumour, which turned out to be but too
true, of • murder haring been committed by a lit:nib:in.'
cutting his wife's throat, and then attempting his oan
life.

At about three o'clock nolioe-constable Wskeham was
on duty in Holborn, when he saw • man whom he had
some previous knowledge of, named William Cogan,
coining towards him covered with blood. He uked I
what wu the matter with him, when he tried to articu-
late something, but fading, lifted hie right hand and
orate it across his neck. The constable then lilted up
his head, and found that hie throat was cut. Ile then
asked him who had done it, when he (Cogan) pointed to
himself. Wakehain then took hold of his arm, and led
him to King's College Hospital, where he was at once
admitted. On the way to the hospital, Wakeliaru, who
knew him to be • married man, ssked hum where his
wife wre, when he again drew his baud across his neck,
meaning that her throat was cut. He wax neat asked
where she was, when lie turned round and pointed in
the direction of his home, and when asked who had
cut her throat, he ointed again to himself.
Superintendent Durkin and Inspector Mackenzie, of
the F division of polio, at Bow-street, were at otter
made acquainted with the occurrence, when they pro.
oeeded to No. 4, Newton-street. On their mitering
the firat floor front room, • .Imehaisg Right pure-rim Led
itself. In about the middle of Ow rmuni lay the wife.
with her 1. et soh lea lying along time floor, mother head
mai the upper portion of her laoly it-sting on a couple
of Wakens. Pier throat ...cut Into ear tti ear, anti
as her head hung back time wound presented • shocking
spectacle, the Wood still oozing fromn it. On the floor
beneath her war a large pool of blood, and in the midst
of it • razor was found with which the murder jail bet-mm
, committed. The room itself presented all the appear-
ance of a comfortable howe, and outride the two
windows there is & large green board stimmunded by
little ornamental railings, and on which iii a collection
of evergreens and flowers.
From what could he gathered, it appean that the
I luau Cogan and his wife attended the funeral of his
godfather on Thursday, after which, with five or ids
more friends, they returned to his place iu Newton-
'tree!. Here they all sat down mid had tea, after
which they a 3 went out together. Cogan cud his wife
returned home rather late in Ms ...westing the am,. for
liquor, and he went up and thre,, Ithrtelf On the bed.
After lying for about a couple of hours ha god up,
missed a •overeign from Isis pocket, and aocuae/ his
wife of taking it, which it is believed she strenuously
defied. They had a quarrel together about the sove-
reign when be left the room, and going downstairs,
went to a lodging-house opposite, where, after con-
versing in an angry tore as regards his wife towards
some persons there, he left, tont was seen to enter the
Queen and Prince Albert public-house in Holborn. On
the way to this house he was heard to say that be had
had quite enough of it, and that he would put an end
to it that night or to-morrow. After remaining a short
time in the poblichouse, and haring had something
more to drink, he returned home, and it is suppowal
committed the dreadful act. When medical aid was
called in to the wife, she was pronounced to have been
dead for some time.

Cogan and his wife, Ma ongh they quarrelled at
time', were cowl lered by their neighbours to have
lived very happily together. (.'ogan was in the habit of
earning a good deal of money by going round with a
horee and cart and selling poultry. They had only one
child, a boy axed B. who is away f home.
Information of the murder has been forwarded to
the coroner, and tho police are in poaseasiou of the
place. Great er,wds assembled round the house from
an early hour. From inquiries made at the hospital,
it appears that Cogan is at present going on favour-
ably.