The Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1866-09-22 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SHOCKING TRAGEDY.  A most pitiful tragedy was enacted at North Toter!, on the evening of the Xbth ultimo (says the Otajo Tunes). Alexander Orr. a stalwart and respectable young man, has for eight months been working as is labourer on the farm of Mr. John Cochrane, which is bounded on one side by an unformed road leading past the North Taieri Schooltouse. In a newly-erected wooden cottage, standing about .100 yarda from the row}, and screened from it by the stack-yard, Orr lived with his wife and their three young children. The eldest (Robert) was just three yearn old; Janet, who came next, WWI 21 months old; and the third WAR an infant, six weeks old. Mrs. Orr was but 21i years old ; she was stout and good-lookitig she was noted as a careful housewife; the Wed hapitily with her ihusband ; and she joy'ed in ter children. Tbecottaga is snug and was well provided. ' Mrs. Ore's last confinement was a trying one; Itht she got better after a week or ten days. On Saturday, the 16th tiltirno, her lidebancl called in Mr. Hugh Inglis, surgeon, Bast Taieri, who had before attended her. She was again not well, and she had been constantly somewhat dull or low-spirited, instead of in her usual cheerful temper. But there was nothing in her manner or her words to induce anspicion that her mind was affected. On the •ritti ult., Orr left work about PiN o'clock, went home and had a hasty tea, and then started to return a cart saddle which had been lent by a neighbour to Mr. Cochrane. The elder children were in their little bed near the fire-place; the infant lay in its parent's bed at the other end of the single apartment of which the cottage consists. Mrs. Orr was seated by the fire. In less than half an hour the illfated young fellow returned, and astonished to find the door barred against him, he called and knocked at the door. He must have disturbed his wife in her terrible death-dealing. He no doubt, by his return, saved the life of his youngest born; but he did no more. It is sickening to think what bad been done in his absence. The poor demented fond mother and cheerful but strict housewife, had resolved to destroy her children and herself—but not to dirty the floor of her cottage ! So she fetched in a deep tub and placed it midway between the two beds. She went to a carnet bag that hung behind the door, got her husband's razor from its case, returned the case, and replaced the bag. Then she must have taken her eldest child from the bed, where he lay next the wall, and giving one sweep of the razor over the child'a throat, she placed him head downwards in the tub. Next, she lifted the girl from the bed, and, in putting her hand under its head or neck—she probably did nit disterb its sleep—she left a blood-print where her knuckles rested on the pillow. Little Janet found a place besWe her brother in the tub ! Doubtless at this moment Oren call startled the mad mother; for it is not consistent with all that is known of murders done by mothers under curb circumstances, that she intended to leave her infant to the trials and rid/writs; of the world out of which she had resolved to despatch her other offspring and herself. At the instant she with one hand drew back the catch of the door, she must hays out her own throat with the other.