The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette. — 1876-02-29 (Dorchester, Dorset, England)

DREADFUL WIFE MURDER IN BRISTOL. On Tuesday afternoon a shocking case of wife umnler occurred in Bristol. In a small house in Barton-street St. James's, a man named Edward Deacon resided with his wife, Amelia Deacon, and a step-daughter named Ann Hallett. The man Deacon is about 27 years of age, and is a shoemaker by trade. Mrs. Deacon was a Gamma and was some years older than her husband, and it appears that ever since their marriage they had lived very unhappily together, quarrels and brawls between them being of frequent occurrence. It seems that about five years ar,o Deacon deserted his wife, and he only returned to her lost Christmas. The separation bad not the effect of any way altering their lives for the better, and altercations and disputes were frequent. The man was very much addicted to intemperance, and the treatment of his wife was extremely cruel. On Tuesday the man was drinking in various public-houses in the neighbourhood the greater iaart of the day, and it is stated that he returned to his shortly after four considerably the worse for liquor, and there was no one in the house but Deacon and his wife. The neighbours heard sounds as of quarrelling, and after having been in the house a short time, the man Deacon went to the house of a neighbour and borrosed a small chopper, used for the purpose of chopping sticks for the fire. On obtaining the implement Beacon at once I returned to the house, an-I he must have immediately made a murderous assault upon his wife. A piercing scream was heard, and a number of neighbour's at once ran out. They went into the house, and there they saw Mrs. Deacon lying close by the grate with her brad clove in, and presenting a terrible appearance. Her husband, Deaoin, was standing by, and appeared quite cool. He at once went with • woman to the Central Police-station. Whilst she was relating her story to the inspector, Deacon iutemipted and said, " Allow me to speak. I have killed nay wife. I have killed her. On arriving at the house the officers found a number of neighbours in the down. stair mom, supporting Deacon's wife in a chair. They bra,a,i the poor creature's head round with cloths, and had her removed in a cab to the Infirmary. She was alive when rem% ed, but quite insensible, as far as being able to speak or recognise anyone goes, although when her wounds were being dressed she did not appear Mienaihic to pain. The wounds she had received were of a frightful nature, and the wonder was that the poor woman could live for an hour and a half after receiving them. She lingered that time in the Infirmary, but from the first there was no hove of her recovery. The worst wound was just behind the right ear, which was cut through. The gash penetrated to the brain, and was three inches in length. Above this was another very dangerous one, and altogether there were no less than five distinct wounds, and from two of them the brain protuded. The man Deacon was, of course, detained at the Central station all this while, and whilst in the reserve-room he fainted, but quickly recovered. lie seemed excited by drink, and said that he had not eaten much since Friday last. On its being ascertained that Mrs. Deacon wan dead, the husband was formerly charged by lisspector May with the wilful murder of his wife Amelia. In answer to the charge the prisoner replied "Quite correct" He was romposed, and slid not seem to feel his position so much as one would have supposed, Ile was locked up in use of the cells at the datum, and he had not been there long before he asked for something to eat, and he VFW eaPPhed with food. This is the third case of wife murder that has occurred in Bristol In about 12 months.