The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1867-10-12 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

SHOCKING ATTEMPT AT MURDER.  On Sattrflay mnrning a shocking attempt at murder and aelf destrletion was made In Eyre-street, Chesterfield.  The atiempted self-murderer is a man named Lee, formerly • staff-sergeant on the militia, and the victims are his wife and daughter. Lee awl his wife have lived unhappily for some time paat, and a short time ago his wifo brought him Amt.... oho .....,Larotee for aasaimingher, and he was ordered to find sureties to keep the ?race for six months, or in default to go to prison fir that time. Being of a very peculiar and exe table temperament, especially witetn tindkr the influence eft-liquor, he failed to find bail, and was sent to prison n default. While there he succeeded in obtaining bad and was liberated, but his situation on the Militia Staff, said to be a good livelihood for him. being worth from 20s. to 255. per week, was lost, and he was thsrefore out of employment. He afterwards obtained York as a clerk in the office of a builder, and remained there for a short time, when he ran awai-, the loss of his situation and the miseries d his family affairs very much affecting his mind. .He then threatened ta destroy himself, and ironic frequently burst out in tears as thoughhis mind vas overburdened with grief. Since his incareeratios he had lived separate from his wife and the tin cc children she had when he married. On Saturday norning Lee went to the premises and concealed hinted in the privy until he had observed a man who vas lodging with his wife leave the premises. He then went into the house and accused his wire of unehmtity,. which led .to high words, when he took out a knifq and laying hold of his wife he pointed the knife to hie throat. She raised an alarm. when her eldest darchter, a girl, fifteen or sixteen years of age, laid hold of her mother, putting her arms roundher throat. Lee then Minitel a gash on the girl's throat, and her hands were also out in protesting her nil ther from her father's violence. .Lee, finding that he had  seriousik weunded the „girl, runh—ed mtairs and infllstml twe,iminense gashes in his throat, baring the windpipe and carotid arteries, but not wounding them. The gashes extended from ear to.ear. The alarm which Mrs. Lee had raised brought in the neighbours, and a messenger was immediately despatched for a surgeon, who was immediately in attendance. He found the girl bring supported in the arms of her mother, while Lee himselt. was laid on a lied upstairs bleeding to such an extent as to cause a pool of blood under the led, He was alai{ serroundett by .a ntuati4r of persons who were prayint round the bed, they helieving that he had winindej himself At seriously that life would sisomontarily depiist. The surgeon succeeded in stopping the bleeding said deemed the wounds of Lee and his (laughter. The daughter has been removed from the house. Her wounds are not conoh ered dangerous, but Lee lies in a precarious state, but as no vital part of the throat has been serh.usly endangered, it is expected thst he will in all probability recover. The tragic circumstance has created great excitement in Chenterfieli