The Express.
London, England, 1859-06-02 00:00:00

THE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AZ

OLDBURY.

The miserable woman who murdered her child and
attempted her own life, u reported in the Express of Tuen
din has somewhat rallied, and has beta able to take a
Ilia liquid sustenance. She to perfectly sensible, and ap-
pears to bo impressed with a deep sense of the crime she has
committed. The excitement is the town continues to Win-
terise, particularly among the mining population, and great
commiseration is felt for the unfortunate husband, Wiltlam
Forster. _ _

The inquest on the deceased boy wee held on Tuesday.
The jury, after bring sworn, proceeded to view the body,
which lay in the lame room where the weeder took place.
On their return the first witness examined woe

.... -----
William Forster, who deposed-1 am a miner, and live in
Furnacmrow, Oldbury. Ibe deceased wee my son. On
Sunday night we all retired to bed about eleven o'clock.
Myself, my wife, and four children occupied the same room.
The youngest child slept in 'he same bed with myself and
my wife. The other three children slept in another bed.
Their names were Ellis, aged sixteen • Susan, aged eight ,•
and John, aged about '
bout twelve. I did not go to Amy till
about two o'clock, and wts awoke about three by my daughter
Eliza screaming. I then 111, my wife standing in bar
chemise close to the bed where the deceased bad been sleep-
ing. I did not see her in the act of maim his throat, but
with my daughter endeavoured to prevent her doing any more
mischief. Before we could get to her my wife cut a large
wound in her own throat, and was in the act of repeating
the cut when I and Eliza took the razor from her.
Blood was fl owing from the deceased's throat, end
also from my wife's. I threw my wife dowa on
the floor, and she became insensible. I thought she was
dead. I then went to look at the boy4and saw he was dead. I
then rushed downstairsand bunt open the door with a poker,
hereon I could not wait for the key. I alarmed a neigh.
tour, Mrs. Houghton, and sent ter for Mr. Cooper, surgeon.
In Match last my eldest daughter, aged Wastes; died end
it preyed vary much upon my wile's wind. She wee always
moaning: and saying," Oh, my poor wench." My wife
became very much depressed. She said the neighbours were
telking about her, and wished to raise a scandal about her.
On Sunday she was more depressed then usual, and seemed
la • sad way. The taus with which the deed was done was
mine' and was kept in • drawer in a chest of drawers in the
kiLhes. I had used it on the same Sunday Dunning. The
drawer was not kept locked. The key was not usually takes
out of the lock. Illy wife never attempted to destroy herself,
nor was her mind aff.cred previous to the death of our eldest
daughter. My wife was vary fond of the deceased, and was
an affectionate mother to all her children.

Eliza Forster, en intorreting-lookiog girl, aged about
sixteen, deposed—John Forster was my blether. I
slept with him on Snuday night. My sister Susan
slept with ne in the tame bad. Abut daylight I
was awoke by my elver, who thought her brother was sick.
My eater isereansect, and I then saw my mother standing by
the side of the bed, and leaning over John. I juteq.ed out
of bed, and went to my mother as quickly as I could. As I
got out of bed she drew a razor whith she had in her right
hand scram her throat. I then seised her handy, and my
father also took hold of her. I tried to take the razor from
bee, but she drew it through my hand, and made another cut
at her throat. She was bleeding from the throat a great deal.
My hand was cut very badly, but I got the razor from her.
My father then threw my mother down. She did not drug.
gle much. I went down stain., and welted until my lather
came bock dies striding for Mr. Cooper. Just as my father
Game hark my mother came down stairs. She has always
teen kind to rue, and to ell her children. She seened fonder
of the deceased then of any of the others. He was the only
boy, std I never heard her threaten hint.
At this stage of the proceedings the inquiry was adjourned.