The Blackpool Herald. — 1884-07-18 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

ATTEMPTED WIFE MURDER NEAR LANCASTER.  On Saturday a man of colour named Munshee Sheikh Gheesa (lately performing at the Raikes Hall Gardens, Blackpool) wade a desperate attempt upon the life of his wife at Torrisholme, a village between Lancaster and Morecambe. Gheesa is andiudoo, and was formerly connected with Hamilton's diorama as a conjuror and, snake charmer. He occupies a house in Bloomfield Place, Pimlico Road, London. Three or four years ago he visited Lancaster with the diorama, and whilst there fell in love wall a yourm woman named Alice Ann Itibchester. Arrangements were made for the wedding, on the day fixed Glieesa presented himself at St. John's Church, which was crowded by persons anxious to witness the ceremony, but Miss Ribchester did not make her appearance, and the marriage did not take place. It was ascertained that the young woman had left her perents' house on the pretence of buying a pair of gloves. Gheesa left Lancaster the same day for London, and subsequently Miss Ribchester went to him there, and they were married, Since that time Gheesa, has been performing at various places in the provinces, but latterly he has be,n out of a situation, and about three weeks ago he and his wife went to her parents at Torrisholine with their two children. Since their arrival there. the c mph) have not lived happily together, and quarrels were frequently between them. List al onday Gheesa began a series of performancesat the Winter Gardens, Morecambe, but on Saturday he was arranging to return to London. His wife seems to have vexed him because she wished to go to IVennington to see her aunt, and angry words ensued, in the course of which Gheesa alleges that his wife called him a low-caste black nigger ;" whereupon he drew a razor from his pocket and tried to cut her throat, but he failed. A fearful gash was, however, inflicted from the corner of the woman's mouth to her right cheek, and another, across the forehead and her right ear, the lobe of which was cut in two. Through trying to protect herself the woman's hands and fingers were shockingly lacerated. She ran to the back door and shouted for her mother. Gheesa then threw his wife to the 2roond and commenced cutting her nose and face. Her mother presently came to her assistance, and she also got cut on the left arm. Gheesa then attempted to make his escape, but two men were passing closed with him, took the razor from him, and handed him over to the police. Informa: tion of the affair was sent to Lancaster and Morecambe, and two doctors were soon in attendance; but the wounds were 80 serious and the loss of blood so great that it was deemed advisable to summons a magistrate and take the injured woman's depositi.ms, which was done in prisoner's presence. The woman's statement was to the foregoing effect. In criars-examinatious by prisoner she said : I told you this morning that I wanted to leave you. When you took the baby outside I did not tell you to take your things and go. I told you I would give you the key of the house in London. I did not call you a low-caste black nigger —Prisoner was remanded for a week on the charge of attempted murder, and he was removed to Lancaster Castle. '