The Northern Guardian. — 1895-08-13 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

THE MANSFIELD TRAGEDY.  OPENING OF THE INQUEST.  Anduquest was opened at Mansfield, yesterday— befese the Deputy Coroner—on the bodies of the four persons who were murdered early on Sunday moraing. The prisoner Wright was not present, he being still an inmate of the workhouse infirmary. In opening the inquiry, the Coroner said the jury would. have to satisfy themselves that the people died from the injuries, whoever inflicted them ; and if, after hearing the whole of the evidenoe, they were of opinion that they were caused by Henry Wright maliciously, it would be their duty to return a verdict of wilful murder against him. It had been suggested—how far it was true he was I not in a position to say—that this man was not, perhaps, in the full possession of his senses—that was to say, hardly accountable for his actions.. But the present jury had nothing to do with that. if there was any reason for doubting his sanity, that was a matter which would be fully and carefully gone into by the judge and jury who would try him on the charge of murder. George Reynolds, the eldest son of the murdered woman, gave evidence of identification, and said he last saw his mother alive at 10 o'clock on Saturday evening, when he went to bed, leaving her downstairs. Henry Wright, who was about 36. years of age, and who was a foundry labourer, had Lodged in the house during the last two years, since he had returned from serving in the Army. Witness last saw Wright about half-put five on Saturday evening having tea with his mother. Wright was then quite sober, though he was fond of drink. Witness was awakened from hia sleep by a feeling of suffocation, and found the room full of smoke. He tried to open the door,, bat failed to do so, and he then shouted from the window. He was rescued by means of a ladder. Having got some clothes, he entered the house, and saw his mother lying on her back in the corner of the kitchen, with her face towards a mangle. There was a great deal of blood on the wall and floor. His mother and Wright were not on the best of terms, and be remembered the former complaining of the lodger's conduct many times. She had re. quested Wright to leave the house because of his drunken conduct, but he refused to do so.  Hr. Phillip G. 'Godfrey stated that he was called to the police station on Sunday morning, about two o'clock. He saw Wright there in the guardroom, and found he wai suffering from a cut about an inch and a quarter long on the throat. The wound was dressed, and he was removed to the Union Hospital. He %ould be able to get about in 10 days. He was quite sober, and addressed witness by his name. While witness was speaking to Mrs Hopkinson in the passage Wright said he wanted to speak to her. Witness heard him say, "I've murdered four." The child Wright carried in his arms was suffering from burns and shock. At Star Terrace, witness examined the body of Mary Reynolds. Her throat was cut, and she was dreadfully mutilated. There were 11 gashes on her face. The throats of the two sons were cut, and one of the lads had seven gashes on the face and head. All the throats had been cut in a similar manner—from the right ear to the left. The throat of the grandchild was also cut, and the body was badly burned. The inquest was then adjourned until the 27th inst. for the attendance of the prisoner.