The Telegram. — 1894-10-09 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

ALLEGED SHOCKING MIIRDERNEAS ALTON.  A WOMAN SITOT BY HER HUSBAND. A shocking tragedy occurred at Elacknest, neat Alton, on Friday nignt. It appears that a man named Cyrus Knight and his wife carry on the business at the Cricketers' Arms. Knight Is res garded as of violent temper, and the evening ut question, when his wife rebuked him for something he threw a cup of tea in her face. Mrs. Knight returned the compliment, upon which Knight fetched a breech-loader double-barrelled gun from an adjoining room and deliberately shot thewomai Mrs. Knight falling down dead without uttering's word. The shots had taken effect on the left side of the jaw and neck. A man named &eine who heard the shots, called loudly for help, and beVend men went into the kitchen. Brewer said, "Look§ father has shot mother." Knight then decamped taliing a path leading in the direction of a dense WOO 4 known as Cobbett's copse. The accused is a middle-aged man and of fine physique. He was taken before a magistratej al Alton Police-court on Saturday, charged with the murder of his wife, and he was remanded. The eillage gossips are, as usual, busy with a MOIIVe for the terrible crime, but it will probably be found that a sudden fit of frenzy is the only true explams time of this sad affair. Knight had no cause fot jealousy. His wife was eight years his senior, sod he was invariably very quarrelsome towards bet when under the influence of drink. After the shots were fired the woman was medically attended but this was of no avail, as the main °detect had been shattered and life ebbed quickie away. During the intense excitement et the inn Knight made his escape, but the police were remarkably smart in their attemete to capture him. Inspector Ilawkius placed dew. tives all along the roads, but was himself the means of securing the man. While he was visiting the public-house for the purpose of making some further inquiries the prisoner eetnrned. He peered cautiously through the back doer; he bed made his way from the woods across the fields, and on seen, e the officer recognised that the game WM up, and on being charged with the murder of till wife, he without remonstrance submitted to the handcuffing process. He seemed very penitent when taken into custody, and piteously pleaded ta see his wife. The officer granted his last apeetils and whilst gazing on the sickening sight Kaighll was deeply affected. The inquest was held on Tuesday before Mrs White, of Winchester. The accused was present during the enquiry, and during the hearing 0f sb4 evidence be frequently bertrayed greatagitetjah After the evidence had been given Knight msde the following statement :—This gun was loaded three days before, and I was going to take it outd doors to shout it uff that night, The front dot opens close to the other door. I had the gun in niy haled in en upright noeition as I was coming out, mit when I got out I was forced to chuck WA gun over my left arm, and I was froint to shut the door,and,the gun went off accidental!?. I was not looking in the door at all. I heard me Realms say she was shot, and I don't knew where I went tee That was all I knew until the DeXt morning. That is all I have got to say.—The coroner: Do you wish to call any witnesses!--, Knight; There were no witnesses.—The coronet then summed up and asked the jury if they well agreed. —The foreman: Yes.—The coroner Liied what is your verdict? The foreman: Wilful murder.—The coroner You are unanicuaes?—The foreman: Yes.—The coroner (to Knight): h it now my painful duty to commit you for trial= rev inquisition at the next assizes to be held it Winchester. Prisoner was then removed to tbe Alton Police-station, where he will await his trial on Thursday morning next.