The Warwickshire Herald. — 1891-03-05 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

WIFE STABBED TO DEATH.  Smitten with a strong passion for his wife's cousin, Joseph Ribo, a well-connected railway official, has been brought before the Aude Assizes an a charge of murder, committed under mysterious circumstances. Ribo, who was in the employ of the Southern Railway Company, married in 1870 a Witte. Ouillaumon, niece of a Deputy for the Department of the Rhone. It was, says the Paris Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, purely a marriage of convenience, and there was little love an either side. The lady had a considerable dowry, and the pair led an eminently respectable, humdrum sort of existence until Esilda Dellac appeared on the scene. Ribo became madly in love with this girl of 20, who was his wife's cousin. Although be was her senior by many years the young lady reciprocated his affection—or seemed to do so. after the arrival of the cousin, Ribo began to swear at and generally to ill-treat his wife. According to the testimony of a domestic servant, he even tried to poison Madame Ribo on one occasion. On the night of September 14th last the neighbours of the 111-assorted couple were awakened by strange noises, amid which groans could be distinguished. The door of the bed-room whence the sounds proceeded was burst open, and M. Ribo was found near the window undressed, half fainting, his mouth gagged, and his bands and feet tied. On her bed Madame Ribo was lying lifeless, bathed in blood, which flowed from a dozen stabs, inflicted all over her body. Hilo was unbound, and on being revived he related that he had fallen asleep when he heard his wife call out his name. On awaking he was seized by two burly ruffians whose faces were blackened I with soot. They gagged and bound him, and he goon afterwards heard them laundering desks and ' wardrobes. When the officials of the local Parra heard his statement and examined his body—which, by the way, shewed that his fetters had made no deep indentations on his limbs—their suspicions were aroused. No money, jewels, or other portable property had been taken by the mysterious murderers. Then the whole history of Ribo's relations with Esilda Dellac was sifted. The letters which passed between them were read, and this correspondence made it clear that whatever sentiments the young lady may have entertained originally for the accused, she was kept systematisally !under his influence by reiterated menaces. The judicial officials decided eventually that the railway official should be arrested and charged formally with having stabbed his wife to death. Ribo denied his guilt energetically, but after two days' trial he was sentenced to 20 years' penal eervitude for murder without premeditation.  An attempt nas Dern made upon the life of Major Muir, political agent in Southern Beloochistan. He was holding a Court at Khenj,when he was attacked by natives and severely wounded,losing two lingers. The wounds are,however,not dangerous. The wouldhe assassins succeeded in effecting their escape.  YALINTINR, HARDAWAY AID TOPPING, Turf COMMWSIDD Agents, Boulogne-Bur-Mar, Frsuooe. T. FrewA dour &Wash Sportsmen (published twice deity). aontaining Entries for all Importent Handicap@ as soon as published, and latest Market Movements on the same. for warded free on receipt of eddress. Double and Treble Eve nt.. B.P. on ell Races. No Representatives. The Oldest SWAM (shed Firm ha existence.