The Sun. — 1858-10-06 (London, England)

MIT. Owen, who has a house in No. 20 Court, Cheapside, a person of excellent character, in the employment of Mr. T. Cox, button and umbrella manufacturer, Alcester-street. It appears that about three months ago Smith became acquainted with Mrs. Owen, to whom he seems to have become even violently attached. His visits to her house were frequent; they were in the 'habit of walking out together, and were apparently on the best possible terms. Up to Friday last matters remained in this state ; but on that day it is said Mrs. Owen rejected his addresses, and declined to continue the intimacy. Smith was violently enraged against her on account of this. rejection, and upon her refusing to see him when he called on Saturday he was heard by several persons to utter threats against her. On Monday, however, he managed to see Mrs. Owen ; a reconciliation seems to have taken place, and in the evening' he accompanied Mrs. Owen and her little daughter to a photographic establishment on Deritend Bridge, and had coloured portraits of them taken. Subsequently they all returned together to Mrs. Owen's house. He remained there during the evening, and indeed all night, and, it is said, was perfectly sober. About 11 o'clock a girl named Jane Hummins, who is a fellow-workwoman with Mrs. Owen, and lodged in her house, left for the purpose of going to a party, and at that time the two lovers appeared to be on the most friendly terms. It seems that Mrs. Owen subsequently retired to rest, leaving Smith lying upon the sofa. Early in the morning the girl Hummins returned from the party, and saw him there ; coming down stairs about eight o'clock yesterday morning she found Smith and Mrs. Owen sitting on the sofa by the fire, while coffee was being prepared for breakfast. They were talking good-temperedly, but the girl noticed something in Smith's manner which she did not like, and accordingly urged Mrs. Owen to make haste to go to work. Smith upon this became angry, and a violent quarrel arose, of a character so noisy as to attract the attention of the neighbours; who heard Smith declare that he would. cut Mrs. Owen's head off. Some of them interposed in alriendly way, and a good understanding seemed to be restored between them.  This peaceful state ofthings did not, however, continue long. Mrs. Owen proceeded to her chamber for the purpose of dressing to go out, whensuddenly Smith started up, and without uttering a word rushed up stairs after her. In a moment after the girl Hummins heard a fearful shriek. She instantly dashed into the bedroom, and there saw Mrs. Owen stretched on the floor in a pool of blood, and Smith standing over her cutting her throat with a razor. With great courage and presence of mind Hummins sprang upon the attempted murderer, and after a struggle succeeded in wresting the weapon from his grasp. At the same time she raised an alarm by screaming ; but Smith, evidently bent upon the commission of murder, drew a knife from his pocket, and made a second attack upon his unfortunate victim. Mrs. Owen, however, had sufficient remaining strength to break away from him, and had reached the stairs in her flight, when she was met by Police constable Evans, 272, who took her under his protection.  Medical aid was immediately sent for, and Mr. Clay, of Moseley-street, and Mr. Jordan, of Blandford-street, were promptly in attendance. They found that serious wounds had been inflicted, and that the main arteries had narrowly escaped injury. While the surgeons were attending on her, Smith sat upon the end of the sofa upon which she was laid, and affected to be intoxicated. This, however, was mere pretence, as upon the constables removing him to Alcester-street station he walked well and spoke rationally. He said that it was jealousy whichhad led him to the commission of the crime ; that he had seen Mrs. Owen walking with a man on the preceding afternoon, and he burst into tears as he spoke. The floor of the room in which the attempt was made was covered with blood. Mrs. Owen was smothered in it, and the hands and dress of Smith were deeply stained with it ; the spectacle he presented on being taken through the streets in this state exciting the utmost horror. Yesterday morning Smith was taken before Mr. T. C. S. Kynnersley, at the Public-office, Moorstreet, when Chief-Superintendent Stephens applied for a remand till Saturday, on the ground that Mrs. Owen was unable to be either examined or removed.  The application was granted, and the prisoner will be brought up again on Saturday.