The Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1866-08-25 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SECOND WOMAN STABBED.  A tragedy of a most unusually shocking character was enacted,in Birmingham about twelve, on Wednesday night last, by which one woman waa soddenly deprived of Life, and another woman seriously injured. The scene of this grim occurrence was No. 2 Court, Black Lion Yard, Hurst-street, and the circumstances which led to the affair aro rather of a painful character. This court, like many hundreds of its clam, in Birmingham, is tenanted by working men of the better rank ; the houses are three storeys in height; clean, roomy, convenient place.; and the yard is paved with blue Meeks, cleanly kept, and well drained. The actors in the terrible drama, we have to describe, lived in No. 15 house The family consisted of a man, his wife, two children, and • lodger. The man and woman passed as husband and wife. His MIMIC was William Sniith, and his wife's name was Elizabeth. They bad been married alioutffifteen or sixteen years and had friar children, two toys nail two girls. The youngest boy and youngest girl were in the house at the time of the murder ; and of the other children, one, a girl, is in service in Sinallinemk:street, and the oldest boy with some relative,' in Sheffield. Smith is mid to bare married Use deceased under a false name, his real surname being Pegg, bat whether ALM gave rise to any feeling of dissatisfaction on the part of his wife, and led to certain subsequent irregularities on her part, is never likely now to be keown. Smith has been engaged in some menial capacity at the Prince of Wales Theatre, and etibeequently st Hay a C0111:011 Hall; and it appears that his wife formed an acquaintance with& man named George Langley, • stage machinist, which has at length been the mace of her death. The neighbours state that the deceased went to visit this Langley some months ago, which vexed tier husband very much. llow long she re. ruained away we could not Learn; but on her return her haeband received her and they have lived together up le the present time. This Langley afterwards got it as said. employment at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Liverpool, where he bad resided for some time past. A few days age, however, the deceased receive,' a letter from him, stating that he was very ill and wanted to see her, and either promising to pay her fare or actually sending • : Post effice order, with the letter. In consequence of , this the deceased took her youngest girl with her, and went to Liverpool by the mail train on Satardey evening. on discovering her absence her linelmnd was very nmeh incensed. The woman on arriving at Liverpool found Imngley ill, of cholera it is reported ; and he died ,in Monday night. This Langley appear. to have been& married man and the news of his illness or death was telegraphed to his wile who resides in Inge-streeL She went over at once end Hrs. Smith told some neighbours that ebe gave tip to Mrs. Langley some valuable presents, such as • gold watch, gold chain, mid other articles, which the deceased liad given her. Immediately after bit death Mrs. Smith returned to Birmingham, anteing here some time in the course of Tuesday. On Wed. nesday eight, about midnight, Smith came home, a quit. rel ensued, and he rut her throat almost from ear Inset; the poor woman falling dead ia the yard. A yeung wonian, who was in the Ileum at the time. named Bradsworth was also stabbed by Smith over the right eye. The &seemed was taken to the Queen's Hospital, but she was dead before arriving there; and Brmisworth was also taken there to bane her injuries dressed. Smith gave himself up to the police at once, and was locked up.