Blandford Weekly News. — 1886-10-23 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

MURDER OF FOUR CHILDREN. SUICIDE OF THE MOTHER.  The details of a shocking tragedy at Fulham transpired on Saturday. Mrs. Leader, the wife of a butcher, in consequence of having some slight quarrel with her husband, left home, taking with her her five children, four of whom were aged 9,7, 5, and 3 years respectively, while the youngest, a baby in arms, was only 4 months old. After leaving her own house in Camberwell, she took her children to Vauxhall, where she had tea; then she made her way to Fulham. She arrived at Fulham after dark, and either finding herself accidentally at the Broomhouse Duck, or proceeding to it intentionally, she threw the five children, one after the other, into the water, and then jumped in after them herself. The child who was aged 7 managed to scramble out, but the other four were drowned, as was the mother. The little boy who escaped wandered about Fulham wet and crying. His appearance and misery arrested the attention of some people, who inquired into the cause of his grief, and bit by bit, amid his sobs, he told his harrowing tale. He stated that on arriving at Broondiouse Dock, Mrs. Leader said to her five children, "We have all got to die," and then walked into the water with her baby. The children who were left standing on the river-side were much alarmed, and two of them followed their mother, who by this time had with her infant disappeared under the water. Harry and Robert,the two other children who were left alone on the shore, called to their brothers to come out, but without avail. Harry then said to his younger brother Robert, "Come on; we all have got to die, we eim only die once." Robert replied, "I shan't go in "; whereupon Harry pushed him in, but he succeeded with some difficulty in scrambling out. Harry then walked into the river and was drowned with the rest. Conflicting statements have been made as to the motive for the crime. It is said that the deceased woman had entertained feelings of jealousy, though it is said that she and her husband lived on affectionate terms. Before leaving Caniberwell she left her wedding-ring behind at her husband's house. Mrs. Leader s dis. .  pwition is described as nervous and sensitive. As the palice investigation goes on the circumstances of the case are revealed in a still more painful light, for it is now considered certain that the mother plied the deceased boy Harry with liquor, which would account for the almost incredible part he is said to have played in the tragedy. The woman is said to have been herself maddened with drink.—An inquest on three of the children was held on Monday. Mr. Leader, the father, was the principal witness, and his evidence mainly dealt with events shortly antecedent to the sad occurrence. The jury returned rai open verdict.  Lord Londonderry, replying to addresses presented J 3 him in Dublin, assured the deputations that the Government would carry out the mandate of the constituencies to maintain the Union,. and he urged . . .  _ That attention should be given to the all-import-ant question of promoting Irish industries.  _ Lieutenant Pocock, of H.M.S. Goshawk, has been tried at Jamaica for negligence in sending a small cutter ashore for the liberty men of that vessel, thereby contributing to the disaster by which 15 of th-ni were drowned. The court sentenced him t be dismissed his ship, and to lose five 'years' wity. His defence was that the men got drunk whilst waiting on shore.