Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-05-16
FonrfOld Murder and Suieidc,in London.

The London Standard, of April 18th,
supplies the details following of a
frightful tragedy in London, near
Mazda Mill THE neighborhood of
the Edgeware road was last night the
scene of one OF the most frIghtful ira
gedies that has taken place in London
for some years past. A father murder
ed four of his children and then de
stroyed his own life, under circum-
stances that cannot fail to touch the
heart and arouse the sympathy OF all
who read the sad narrative, which is
short, but melancholy in the extreme.
A shoemaker, named Nichols, with a
wife and six young children, left Ply
mouth, his native place, about a
twelve-month ago, III the hope of
lettering his position by working
at his business tor a London house. -
He took couple of rooms over a
small shop in Capland street, Church
street. Edgware road. He soon aftei-
ward obtained employment as boot and
shoemaker to a large firm in London,
but having been accustomed to what is
called country trade, he found his
deficiency compared with the ability of
the London workmen. He, however,
owing to his reliability and industry,
maintained his situation until last Sat
urday, when, in consequence of his
having spoiled pair of boots, he was
discharged. This appears to have
proved seriously upon the mind of the
unfortunate man, whose health has
been declining for some time past.
Yesterday, and, indeed, for some days
past. according to the statement OF his
wife, he had been very Responding, and
at times almost beside himself, His
wife left him at nine o'clock TO fulfill
the duties of choriug at a shop in the
neighborhood. During the day the un-
fortunate woman spoke Of the sad con-
dition Of the husband, and SAID she did
not know what TO make OF him. While
thus commenting upon her mistortunes
one of her children-her eldest daugh-
ter, twelve years old rushed into the
house and exclaimed, ON, mother, do
come home, father has killed baby,
and he is killing the other children. -
The poor woman ran, half frantic, to
her house, but in time only to witness
sight of tie most heartrendiug
and terrible destruction On entering
the top floor. where the crime was com
mitted, Mr.. Benson Baker, surgeon,
who had been sent for, beheld pool
of blood issuing from under the back
room door. Upon opening the front
room door thrilling scene presented
itself In a sort 0t seml,circle lay three
children with their Threats cut. The
first. little girl, Louisa, aged three
wears. lay upon her back, with her arms
extended md her throat severed right
across. The tip of the left hand fore
+ finger was cut off i'll the palm of the
( hand was a sugar plum and IN the right
hand a green bead. The next child
was Rosina, aged five years; she lay
with her face downward, and had her
hands clenched her throat also being
cut. James Henry wss the third child.
He was a fine boy OF Ii months old, and
was found lying half on his back, with
his arms extended at right angles, and
his throat severely cut, and III pool
of blood Entering the back room,
which was used as a workshop and
which was in great confusion, every
article of furniture being turned mp
side-down, near the door lay the body
of the eldest girl Eliza, aged nine
wears. upon her right side, with htr
head thrown backward, hands clenched,
elbows bent, and throat cut from
which was issuing a stream Of blood. IL
This appears to have been the last one
murdered. The unfortunate nun had
then committed suicide, 1t would APP
pear he went to his seat leant over q
tea chest which be used rs work-ta-
bic. and cut his own throat in q most
desperate manner, placed tile knife
up5n the table. and fell under it, the
chair falling upon him The bodies
were aiterwarl removed to the work
house through. crowds ot people WHO
h,d eongregatel Ia the approacae+ to
the house.