The Wolverhampton and Midland Counties Advertiser. — 1876-04-15 (Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England)

SHOCKING TRAGEDY AT LEAMINGTON.  A shocking case of self-murder and attempted wife murder occurred at Leaminghton early on Friday morning. Thomas Addison Whittingham succeeded in the attempt upon his own life, but his wife was spared, though her ultimate recovery is a matter of grave doubt. Whittingham is said to be are. tired grocer, about 50years of age, who for many years carried on business at Stafford. He was married about nine or ten years ago, and has lately been living upon his private means. Six months ago he and his wife came to Leamington, and took up their residence at Lorne Villa, Campion Terrace. On Thursday night, after retiring to bed, he complained of his head, got up, and is alleged to have spent the remainder of the night in drinking spirits. Between five and six o'clock on that morning he returned upstairs, and behaved so violently that Mrs. Whittingham had to take refuge in the bedroom of the servant, Mary Ann Kennedy. She told Kennedy that the master had a gun, and they locked the door. Shortly afterwards Whiffingham burst open the door. Mrs. Whittingham es. caped into the back kitchen, followed by her husband with the loaded gun. She ran out into the back yard, and while she was getting over the well, Whittingham ran forward, levelled his gun, and fired. The contents struck her in the back, and inflicted very deep and serious wounds in the region of the loins. The poor woman uttered a load scream and fell over into the adjoining yard. Mrs. Whittingham, after dropping ever into the next yard, crawled along the side of the trench till, faint from loss of blood, she sat down upon a barrow, where she was discovered by Mrs. Thorneycroft, who heard the report of the gun, and went out to see what was the matter. She was removed into Mrs. Thorneycroft's house, and medical assistance obtained. After Whittingham had shot his wife he went back into the house. On the way to his bed-room he met the servant, who said, " Don't hurt me, ass. ter," or words to that effect. He made no reply, , but passed on. Soon afterwards the report of a pistol shot was heard, and it was discovered that Whittingham had shot himself through the head, and that he was quite dead. An inquest was held at Leamington on Saturday evening on the body. Deceased was considerably the senior of his wife, and they lived very unhappily together, quarrels being frequent. Twice at least they had separated, and last June a deed of separss tion was prepared, but at Whittingham's request his wife consented to live with him again. Deceased frequently complained of pains in the head. He never said that he was jealous of his wife; but speaking of her to his brother he once remarked, "She is a young woman, and I am too old." He was addicted to drinking spirits to excess. His will, dated last June, was produced at the inquest. By it he bequeathed the whole of his property to his sisters, making no provision for his wife. The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity.  A tramp, named Robert Taylor, who had been arrested at Ashborne, on suspicion of being the man who outraged and murdered a little girl at Blackburn, was on Saturday taken before the Ashborne magi!. trates, and remanded to BLscburn. Tint Lrvaneool. Lasprzio