The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-05-23 00:00:00

THE SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN

LONDON.

LATEST PARTICULARS.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Humphries
held an enquiry, at the Prince A rthur Tavern,
Turner Road, Bow, relative to the deaths of
John Blair. forty-nine years of age; Elizabeth
Anne, his wile, aged thirty-four ; Elizabeth
Anne, daughter of the above, aged twelve ;
Amelia, aged seven ; William, five ; and
Samuel, an infant of jour months.
William Jennings, of Bristol, a ea Telma.,
identified the body of the murdered woman
as that of his daughter. He from time visi-
ted his daughter and her husband. He had
no idea of any dissension existing, or he
would have taken her away. His daughter
had never made any complaint id ill-treat-
ment.

Stephen Carpenter, Crompton Place,
gas tester to the Chartered Gas Company,
said he know Blair as a quiet man. Witness
was his brother-in-law. He had, however,
not spoken to him for the last five or six
months. The deceased exhibited nu ill-feel-
ing, but was reserved in his manner. He
worked with witness, and, from his person-
al observation, the family appeared most
happy. The deceased man on the 27th of
April absented himself from his employment
till about a week ago. Although a sober
man, he had heard from his wife that he had
said "if she did not let him have drink he
would do for her." To all appearance the
family lived happily together, and ocesion-
ally they went to church.
William Turner, 2, Plough Line, Lower
Homerton, labourer, deposed that he was
employed at the Bow COMMOII Gasworks
witu tue deceased man. On very rare oc-
casions he was drunk, but on the last occa-
sion he had been seme days intemperate,
, and was very savage. He last saw him on
Thursday, and then he complained to vritnes,
of pains about his body.
Elizabeth Cressy, aged twelve, of 47,
Joseph Street, deposed that she lived next
door, and was familiar with the murdered
family, the children being her playmates.
Had heard Mrs. Blair say that her husband
hittil frequently threatened to murder the lot.
She last saw the man Blair at nine o'clock
on Sunday night. About three o'clock
a.m. on Monday witness heard faint cries
from the room occupied by the child-
ren. At live she got up, and at seven, find-
ing none of the Blairs about, sent her brother
Alfred to fetch the police.
Henry Tnfton, police-constable 199 K.
said that, being summoned to the spot, he
forced admission into the house, and ds-
covered the bodies quite dead, and in the
same position as the Jury had seen them.

Mr. Coward, surgeon, deposed that on
Monday he was sent for, and on proceeding
to the house found all the bodies as above
deposed to. Found the woman with the
throat cut. The child was on the woman's
left arm; both were dead and cold. There
was no injury to the woman's head, but au
incised wound in the throat. From the
position of the wound she could not have
done it herself. The eldest daughter had
the brain protruding from a wound in the
head, which the hammer would produce.
Wi,s of opinion that she died from fractured
skull. The second daughter was lying with
a doll in her hand. She no doubt died of
the incised wound in the throat, which was
probably done after her head had been
battered. In the luck room found the little
by. w ith his head ir I t t,•fed. Was of opiniii::
li,' died of a fractured skull. The baby had
a fracture of the skull, likewise, on the left
S.lk. Tne head was nearly severed from
the body. Tile Mall was lying on the flo,
M the front room, with his shirt only on.
Ho bad an incised wound in the throat.
iliviltug the large vessels and the larynx.
His right hand was under him. Wassof
opinion that he was standing at the looking-
glass when the wound was inflicted. Th.
cut was made from right to left. Was ot
opinion it was the man's own act. Death
si rose from hemorrhage.

By the Jury: Had know the man some
time, and had treated him for ,ielirigm
Did not know ot any other cause
for the crime. The man had complained to
him of his head, to which he said he had
hail an injury at some time. If a man had
had an injury to his bead which affected
filo brain, drink would have an affect on
him. Had never heard him say how the
injury was caused, but believed it was a
blow.

The Jury returneda verdict that " Blair
was suffering from delirbon trPhlroix, and
committed suicde while in an unsound state
of mind. The Jury also believe that while
in that state he murdered his wife and Ail-
dien, and was not responsible for the act."
The Coroner then made out his order for the
bodies.

AAAA Ala.—EPD(6'l COCOA.—GRATIBIE: T. AND C3X-
WORTINO.-- By a thorough knowledge of the natural
lawn which g.,v,rn the operations of titivation sod
and by • careful application of the fin., properties
of well-selected cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided our bre.,k•
fast table, with a delicately flavoured beverage which
may nave na many heavy doctors bills."—Cird Service
bOmerte. Made simply with boiling wate, efta lk.—So.d
by Ciro.. only, ,abelled—•'Jsmii, ZIPPi It Co.,
Hounnopathic Chemists. 4d, Threadneedle Street, and
no. Piccadilly;Works, Easton Road, London.
Masi:recruits or Cocoa.—•• We will now give an ac-
count of tio, process adopted by Messrs. James Epps It
'r, • 111141111faCLUrerl of dietetic articlea, at their works in
the Easton Road, Londou.--See article in Cussefts
Ikumituld Guide.

If THEIS has ANT LAMM who have not yet used the
GLaNilal.l., STARCH, they are
.reveettally solivvetl to

printed .overy racklo,e, and it this ja done, they will
a gin Laumlr, a., it la the finest starch
v used. When you aI. for iILENIPIkLI, TARC

.t• si.•• 1101 Nlel.lt.••.
fur Lue e‘tra prviit. Bowan tberofore of spur-
owe igatstione.