Darlington & Richmond Herald. — 1873-10-11 (Darlington, Durham, England)

ITIC-HTFUL WIFE MURDER NEAR DURHAM.  A murder und,a• most shocking circumstances was perpetrated by a pitman named William Thompson on Saturday night. The scene of this fresh outrage was Annfi,-Id Plain. distant Froei Lanchester about three miles. It appear! that about six weeks ago William Themps an, wlio is about 2f years of age, took up hi, residence .at Pontop Cottages, and commenced work as a -Ratman at the neighbouring colliery. His family consisted of his wife, a young worn in who completed her twentieth year in July last, and hefather, who is also a pi'man. Thompson and his wife lived very unhappily together, frequen!-, quarrel., it is said, taking place between them. On Saturday last they left home for Newcastle, accompanied by Mrs. Thompson's father, and arrived at home again at bout a quarter-past seven o'clock, all three being perfectly sober. Mrs. Thompson at once set about preparing supper; everything being in readiness, her father was sent to the nearest public-house to procure some beer. It was then about a quarterpast eight o'clock, and the public-house was distant from taompsen's dwelling about 130 yards. When he quitted the house he left Thompson and his daughter to use his own language, "on terms more loveable Um he had ever seen them in his life." He had scarcely given the order for the beer at the public-house, however, when a girl rushed in and told him that his daughter was lying dead en the floor of a neighbour's berme. It appears that the girl was passing near Thornpson's residence when she heard a shriek, and on looking round saw Thompson pass from behind his wife and run away, Mr. Thompson staggering into the house of a neighbour, Ann Parker, and fallng on the floor near the door. Mrs. Parker ran to the unfortunate woman, and observed a large gash on her throat and no indications of life, she exclaimed "Oh, she's dead." This expression the girl who had reached the door of the house heard, and at once ran to the public-house to give thg alarm. In a few minutes the whole of the people in the neighbourhood had crowded into the house to look upon the body of the poor creature. One of the first to arrive was Sergeant Brown, who having ascertained that Mrs. Thompson was beyond all hope of recovery, took instant measures for 'he apprehension of the murderer. Having discovered that Thompson lad a brother residing at Dipt on, he proceeded thither, accompanied by a man named Thomas Palmer, and taking a route straight across the country. he reached the house indicated, where he found Thompson. Sergeant B, own at once charged him with the murder of his wife, and took him to the police station at Consett. On examining the body, Dr. Hunter fauna life totally extinct. In the house not the faintest trace could be found to indicate the occurrence of a struggle having preceded the murder. So nearly severed was the head of the victim that when an attempt was made to raise the body, it fell backwards and rested between the shoulders, being held to the body by the vertebrm alone. The news of the tragedy created profound excitement throughout the district, and the scene of the murder was on Sunday visited by large crowds of people.