Widnes Examiner. — 1890-06-07 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

THE NEW BRIGHTON TRAGEDY.  A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.  The adjourned inquest on the bodies of Wm. Spicer. 14 years of age, and Henry Spicer, four years eld, who were murdered on the 25th May, was resumed at the New Brighton Police Station, on Wednesday morning, before Mr. C. W. Tibbits, deputy-coroner for West Cheshire. Felix Spicer. the father of the lads, who is in custody on the charge of having murdered them was not present, and was not legally represented. MA. Spicer, who had not completed her evidence on the last occasion, was in attendance during the greater part of the day, and was deeply affected several times whilst her depositions were being taken down by the deputycoroner. When speaking of her children she wept bitterly, but it was with a firm voice she informed a juror that at the present time she had no doubt that Spicer, when struggling with her, meant to take her life. In the course of her evidence, Mrs. Spicer gave a graphic account of her desperate struggle for life with the man who is accused of the murder of the two children. In reply to the deputy-coroner, she said her real name was Mary Ann Palm. She remembered Felix Spicer coming to the refreshment rooms on the night of the 24th May. Felix asked to be let in, but she refused, and called out to him "Good night." He replied "Good night, my girl," and then went away. Whilst in bed, early the following morning, she heard a crash of glass. She looked towards the window, and saw Felix Spicer put his hand through the broken window and feel about for the key of the door. She jumped out of bed and began putting on some clothes. While she was dressing Spicer again smashed some of the windows. She at once rushed to the window to get out. He tried to prevent her, but as she was standing higher than him she managed to get through. He overbalanced and she fell also, but she did not know for certain whether he knocked her down. The next thing she remembered was that he tried to put a hankerchief over her mouth. It smelt strongly of brandy she thought. When he found that he could not get the handkerchief over her face he felt for something in his breast pocket. She saw a brown handle, and thinking it was a pistol she cried out, ." For mercy's sake, don't blow my brains out." He then pulled out of his pocket what turned out to be a knife and said, "You—wretch ;you cried Murder,' did you? You won't cry Murder' in another minute when I have done with you." They then had a desperate struggle, and witness most of the time was guarding her throat. She threw a skirt over her shoulders and put it round her neck, and with her right hand she held , on to the blade of the knife. The struggle seemed to last I a considerable time. She ultimately managed to knock the knife out of his hand and make her escape. He chased her up and down Victoria-rd., and she dodged him round the cabman's shelter. Mr. Bailey came to the door of his shop, and witness called out for assistance. Spicer turned round and called Mr. Bailey some names. As soon as she got the opportunity she ran into Mr. Bailey's house, he having repeatedly called to her. Mrs. Bailey met her on entering the house, and witness called out, "For God's sake follow him, in case he does something to the children." A Mr. Storey who next arrived, followed Felix..—Deputy Coroner.-When he was struggling with you, did he say anything about the children ? Mrs.Spicer: No, sir. I asked him to spare me for the children's sake. He replied, "I'll give you children, you wretch."—After some further evidence had been given, the inquest was adjourned till next Wednesday.  Intelligence from New York says that two men, named Thomas Huber and John 111Truire have died from sunstroke, the heat being 93 in the shade. Tax POPULAR BEVERAGE for Breakfast, Luncheon, Tea, and Supper in all seasons is