The Northern Guardian. — 1895-08-12 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.  MURDER AND MUTILATION. A tragedy of the most terrible character was perpetrated at the quiet little north Nottinghamshire town of Mansfield on the borders Sherwood Forest in the early hours cf yesterday morning. The house in which the tragedy occurred was ' tenanted by a Mrs Reynolds, whose three sons lived with her. In addition there was a lodger named Henry Wright, the son of a market gardener living in the town. About two o'clock in the morning Inspector Hopkinson, who resides at the police station, was called up by a man who was in a nude condition save that he had on a pair of socks. He was carrying a child. He made a statement to the Inspector, who, after placing him temporarily under arrest, hurried to Row Cottages, not 50 yards away. There he found the upper part of the house in flames, and the fire brigade were sent for. On getting into the house the body of Mrs Reynolds, who was 48 years old, was discovered lying behind the back door in a naked condition. Her throat was cut. She had been disembowelled. Both breasts were cut off, and she was most horribly mutilated. In the back bedroom, occupied by Wm. Henry Reynolds, aged 16 years, and Charles Reynolds, 15, the captain of the fire brigade discovered the two lads. Both their throats were cut. In another room, a little grandchild, who was staying in the house, was also found with its throat cut, and shockingly burnt. In the top bedroom George Reynolds, 25, was rescued by means of a ladder. The Press Association's representative interviewed him yesterday, and was informed that George was awakened by the smoke, which was almost suffocating. He at once rushed to his bedroom door, and discovered that it had been tied with a piece of rope from the outside. He then called "fire "from the window. The lodger Wright, he said, shared the bed in the top room with him; but he had not been in bed on Saturday night. Before the murder took place he heard no screaming, and knew nothing of the tragedy until he was rescued by the people who placed the ladder against the window. Wright appears to have cut his own throat, but his injuries are not supposed to be fatal, and be now lies lies in the workhouse infirmary in the charge of two policemen. No motive can be assigned for the terrible crimes, and, although the prisoner does not bear a character for sobriety, there is at least no evidence to show that he had been drinking on Saturday night. At times he has been rather strange in his manner, but nothing in his demeanour has ever led his relatives to suppose be_would commit such a ghastly crime.  It would appear that the murder of the woman and children had been carefully planned, for the eldest eon's bedroom door had been secured in order to prevent interference should the victims make a noise. Prisoner used a razor and two large knives, and when he presented himself at the police station he was partly covered with blood, and feathers which had escaped from the pillows. The furniture of the rooms was completely destroyed by the tire. The murdered woman's clothes were found near the body, and it is difficult to say whether he first cut her throat and then undressed her. An inquest will be held to-day.