Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express, etc. — 1915-01-09 (Penistone, South Yorkshire, England)

THE DONCASTER STATION TRAGEDY.  ACCUSED SAN IN COURT.  A Kiss which it is Alleged Ended  In Murder.  The story of the Doncaster Station tragedy was re-told at Doncaster on Thursday. when Thomas Phillips (571, collier, of North road. Woodlands, formerly of South Kirkby- and Hickleton. Via.. charged with the wilful murder of his wife. Thirrs Jane Phillips, by stabbing her with a butcher's knife on the night of Dec. 30th. Mr. H. Harker, from the Public Prosecutor's office. prosecuted and the prisoner was defended by Mr. Frank Allen. The prisoner appeared quite at ease. and before the hearing of the case turned round and smiled to an acquaintance in the gallery. There was a large attendance of the public. Mr. Harker said it was alleged that the prisoner. who had hitherto borne a good character, stabbed his wife ,even times with a formidable knife. inflicting three fatal wounds. He was married to the deceased. who was only 33 years of age, last September, and there was distinct evidence of premeditation.  Mr. Harker described how the prisoner sent a telegram to his wife from Sheffield in the name of Robson, whom she had formerly known, hot who is now in Canada. This cansed the deceased and her sister to go to Sheffield. The prieoner went to a cutler'. shop in Sheffield about three o'clock. and said, "I want a butcher's knife. I want on for atieking pigs.'' and he purchased a butchar's honing knife. Afterwards he sent a frirther telegram to his wife, also purporting to come from Robson, stating, "If married, don't come." This telegram, however, arrived after the deceaaed and her sister had left for Sheffield.  Describing the affray at Doncaster station. Mr: Harker said deceased and her sister were peaking to two soldiers who were going by train. One at the soldiers kissed the deceased, whereupon her husband rushed up and attacked her with a knife in a determined manner. The prisoner afterwards said to a ticket collector, •'I have gone as far as I can with her, and I hope I have done her in, and will swing for her." Dukes Newsome, sister of the deceased. staid her sister left the prisoner a month efts:. their marriage, and returned to her father's boasts at A.d,rick-10-Street. One morning she eta her sister's face disfigured and sena bed She eerroborated the story of the tragedy as outlined by Mr. Harker. Mr. Harker asked the two soldiers, who had been subpcenaed, to stand op in court, but the witness said she could not identify them as the mei) to whom she and he tenet* were talking on the platforui. erees-examined, wi'etoss said the pristine+, was introduced to the deceased in a pubhchouse. The prieone-. deceased, and witness afterwards went to Skegness with some children. She denied that her sister put pressers on the prisona- to marry her. She also denied imputa.tions made against her sesta?* moral character. Prisoner made no attempt to molest them at Sheffield, bnt he made himeelf a nuisance He provided a good borne for her sister when they were married, but he broke it up. Sly. denied that prisoner had spent „cl2O upon her sister sine o they were married The deceased went to Sheffield to tell Heinen honourably that she was married, and could not meet him any more It was not true that her sistcr practically asked the soldiers fo kiss her on the etatiou.  He-axamined, witness said prisoner know her !sister had an illegitimate child, and &boat her friendship with Robson. Ticket Collector Parker gave evidence at one of the sokliers kissing the deceased. alba the subsequent trawdy. He identified Um two soldiers in court as. these who were ,peek. jag to the deceased. Mr. Allen. Did the eoldier kiss the lady or the lady kiss the soldier ?- T say the deceased seemed to give them the inelinaUon tu kits; her. iiha leant over, and they exchanged kisses.  On the suggestion of Mr. Allen. this two soldiers, who belong to the were di.. missed from the case. The accused man woo committed for trial on the capital charge.  CONISBORO' COMEDY COMPANY The above local oomedy company gave a pleasing entertaiapneart in the Church Hall, on 'Eaureday. before a good attendance. Th.: c•ernedy aketch was entitled "The A,msuteur Palmist." Characters Sibley Vert; (Philosopher), E. Greathead; Mrs. Bs:Lineup (his landlady), Miss ..kilport; Miss Manion. esmoud (3-oung lady), M.,*s Jackson; Maier Whakeliam Bopp, A. Dossiter; Mary Ann Miggs, Miss Smith. Other items of the pro=were: Belgian Brabanconne, Bel,can es; piaito