Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-30

Extraordinary and Frightful Tragedy,
The London News OF the 18th October gives
the following account of most remarkable
murder which has naturally excited an un
wonted degree OF horror in England:
"An extraordinary and lrightul tragedy
was brought to light yesterday at the house of
the Rev. 7. S. Watson, NJ. A., who was for
many years headmaster of the proprietary
grammar school at Stockwell. The reverend
gentleman resided, with his wife and female
servant named Ellen Pyne, who has lived with
them for three years, in large house in st.
Martins road, at the back of StOCkwell cres-
cent. From the statement of the young wo-
man it would seem that on Sunday evening
last She left the house, and did not return to il
until 10 o'clock, When she lett, Mr.. Watson and
his wife were sitting in the library on the first
floor, which is situated between Mr. Watson's
bedroom and small bedroom, uuoccupicd at
the back. When she returned her master told
her that her mistress had left for the country,
and would be absent five or six days. She was
a little surprised at this communication, but
made no comment, and from her statement did
not seem to think much about it, Mr. Watson
retired to rest at the usual time. No disorder
was apparent in the room, but the next morning
the girl called the attention Of her master TO a
large dark stain on the carpet and the floor at
the library door, when he replied with great
GOODNESS; 'Oh, there was an accident last night
spilled decanter port wine there and wiped
it up as well us could All thar day he SEEM
ed busiy engaged in putting his books in order
and writing. On Monday evening Mr.. Watson
retired TO rest at his usual time, and the follow
ing day he seems to have spent much the same
as the preceding one, with the exception that he
was seen walking in the Chaplain road It's
necessary to mention these facts TO explain what
follows. 1t now turns out that, having COM
mitted the MURDER the course he bad deter.
mined upon was TO poison himself
with prussic acid, and the subsequent
inquiries of DR.. Rugg have resulted
in obtaining the information that the
object of his walk on the Tuesday was TO buy the
drug. At the first chemists shop at which he
applied, although well known, the proprietor re-
fused to serve him, but it appears he must have
obtained some kind OF mixture, for on his return
home lie told the girl that if anything happened
TO him in the night she was to send at once to
DR.. Rugg. Whether he made any attempt on
his life then is not known, but if he did it did
not succeed, aud yesterday he rose as usual and
wrote some letters which he left upon the dress
ing table, and which are now in the possession
of the police, one OF them being addressed 10
the surgeon He then retired to bed arain and
about II O'Clock the servant, in great haste
came to summon Dr. Rugg, saying thar her
master was IN lito apopleXy. In a short time
Dr. Rugg was at the house, and on being admit
ted the servant put letter into his hand, which
was to the following effect:
CEN a fit of fury have killed my Wife Often
and often have | endeavored to restrain myself,
but my rage overcame me, and struck her down.
Her body will be found in the little room off the
library. | hope that she Will be buried as be-
comes lady Of birth and position. She is an
Irish lady, and her name is Annie. The key will
be found in letter on the table,
"And then follows word which has been era
se1, but which is apparently a surname. On
seeing this letter DIR. Rugg Immediately rushed
upstairs to the bedside of Mr.. Watson, whom
he found in very weak state and sDeechless,
apparently suffering from some violent poison,
which had not, however, taken effect. He adj.
minlstered sedative and proceeded at once
TO the chamber indicated, in company with the
servant girl. There a horrible spectacle con-
ironted them. Hudded up in a corner of the
room, her knees touching her chest, her hands
conVulsively cenched, aud her head fallen over
TO her chest was the body of the unhappy lady.
her clothes saturated with blood, which still
seemed to ooze from the body in a dark, almost
purple pool. On examining her, Dir. Rugg found
her head smashed in, and in places beaten al
most to jelly. There was, in addition 10 MI
merous other wounds, fracture on the occiput
sufficient, probably to cause death; both her
temples were beaten in, aud there was a deep
wound in the middle of the forehead. All this
time the wretched man lay on his bed in
hali-nsensible state, though slowly reco, ering.
Or, Rugg, though personal acquaintance of
his. at once saw that his duty was clear, and
that the police mast be apprised OF the sad oc-