Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-06-03 00:00:00

MURDER AND SUICIDE.

Inquests were held on Wednesday on the bodies of Mr.
Richard Burke, land agent to the Hon. Martin Ffrench,
and that of Capt. Thomas Ffrencb. From the evidence
given Captain Ffrench left Dublin on Monday night, with-
out communicating his intentions for Ballinasloe, from
whence he took a car with two other gentlemen to a village
distant six miles, where they arrived about one o'clock
in the morning. He then proceeded unaccompanied
save by the driver to Ballygar, within two miles from his
father's estate. He applied unsuccessfully for admission,
and then told the driver to proceed to St. Brandon, one of
the residenees of the family in the occupation of Mr.
Burke. The car reached it at three in the morning, when
Captain Ffrench was informed Mr. Burke had gone to
Ballinamore, three miles distant. Captain Ffrench wrote
a kind note requesting an interview on business. The meet-
ing, as described by the cab-driver, was most cordial, and
they then proceeded to Ballinamore-park, the seat of the
Hon. Mr. Ffrencb, and walked through the ground. After
this nothing certain is known. Saunders.

THE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED
SUICIDE AT OLDBU.RY.

The miserable ,woman who murdered her child and
attempted her own life, as already reported in the Northern
Times, has somewhat ralied, and has been able to take a
little liquid sustenance. She is perfectly sensible, and
appears to be impressed with a deep sense of the crime she
has committed. The excitement in the town continues to
be intense, particularly among the mining population, and
great commiseration is felt for the unfortunate husband,
William Forster. The inquest on the deceased boy was
held on Tuesday. The jury, after being sworn, proceeded
to view the body, which lay in the same room where the
murder took place. On their return the first witness
examined was William Forster, who deposed : I am a
miner, and live in Furnace-row, Oldbury. The deceased
was 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 the same bed with myself and my wife. The
other three children slept in another bed. Their names
were, Eliza, aged sixteen ; Susan, aged eight ; and John,
aged about twelve. I did not go to sleep till about
two o'clock, and was awoke about three by my daughter
Eliza screaming. I then saw my wife standing in her
chemise close to the bed where the deceased had been sleep-
ing. I did not see her in the act of cutting 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 fam
her. Blood was flowing from the deceased's throat, and
also from my wife's. I threw my wife down on the floor,
and she became insensible. I thought she was dead. I
then went to look at the boy, and saw he was dead. I then
rushed down stairs and broke open the door with a poker,
because I could not wait for the key. I alarmed a neigh-
bour, Mrs. Houghton, and sent her for Mr. Cooper' surgeon.
In March last my eldest daughter, aged nineteen, died, and
it preyed very much upon my wife's mind. She was always
moaning, and saying, " Oh, my poor wench." My wife
became very much depressed. She said the neighbours were
Italking about her, and wished to raise a scandal about her.
On Sunday she was more depressed than usual, and seemed
in a sad way. The razor with which the deed was done
was mine, and was kept in a drawer in a chest of drawers
in the kitchen. I had used it on the same Sunday morning.
The drawer was not kept locked. The key was not usually
taken out of the lock. My wife never attempted to destroy
herself, nor was her mind affected previous to the death of
our eldest daughter. My wife was very fond of the deceased,
and was an affectionate mother to all her children. Eliza
Forster, an interesting-looking girl, aged about sixteen,
deposed : John Forster was my brother. I slept with
him on Sunday night My sister Susan slept with
us in the same bed. About daylight I was awoke
by my sister, who thought my brother was sick. My
sister screamed, and I then saw my mother standing by the
side of the bed, and leanir% over John. At this stage
of the proceedings the inquiry was adjourned.