The Sun. — 1833-02-02 (London, England)

HORRID MURDER AT.ABTHOR-PE;NRA-R  TOWCESTER, OF A 1179.11 AN BY HER HUSBAND, AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.  (Abridged from the Noithampton Free Press of this day.) The scene of this dreadful murder was at Abthimpe, a village about three miles from Towcester. On Tuesday evening, the inhabitants of the town of Towcester, and the sutrounding villages, were thrown into. the greatest consternation and alarm, by a report that a labourer named John Horne, residing at Abthorpe, had inhumanly murdered his wife, and afterwards cut his own throat. It appears that he was a man of an extremely irritable temper, and subject to the most ungovernable fits of passion. The deceased was in the habit of visiting a neighbour, which induced a jealousy on the part of her husband. But according to the prevailing opinion of her neighbours, it was more from the effect of ill treatment, than a desire to gossip, that she was induced to leave her home. All speak highly in her praise, as an industrious and careful woman. Frequent bickerings of late have been manifested between the deceased and her husband, and on the morning of the murder, while she was sweeping the hearth the brush was accidentally burn', and with a horrid oath the husband swore she would ruin him. In consequence of his threats, the unfortunate woman considered her life in danger, and leaving her home, sought shelter in a neighbour's house, where she remain rd during the day. Upon the husband leaving his work, in the afternoon, he visited his wife. and after endeavouring to persuade her once more to come home, which she refused, he put his rims round her neck and kissed her, which apparent token of affection was instantly followed by the pepetration of the horrid deed. The wretched man drew forth a razor, and nearly severed her head from her body, after which he cut his own throat ; and the two with an infant which had been sitting upon the lop of the wife, fell upon the floorlogether. Mr. P.rker, surgeon, of Towcester, who was sent for to the deceased, found it impossible to afford her any assistance as the wounds had caused instant death. The surgeon then turned his attention to the wounds of the husband, which he carefully and very judiciously cloied : and although for some time it was believed he could not survive, in the coulee of Wednesday, he rallied considerably, on proper restoratives being applied, and at the termination of the inquest, was able to hear the evidence which had been taken, read over, and made several remarks ; sometimes corroborating, at other times denying the minor details, not affecting the evidence of the witnesses; but of the clear and indubitable proof of his guilt, there was not entertained a shadow of doubt. On Wednesday morning, an inquest was held on the unfortunate woman, whose name was Anne Horne. The deceased was wrapped in a sheet, on one side of the room, and at the distance of not more tha❑ a yard, on ,a straw bed, lay the miserable perpetrator of the murder and attempted suicide. The first witness called was— John S. Hindes, who was sworn, and stated—l am constable at Abthorpe ; I knew Ann Horne, the deceased, for some years;_ she has been married seven years.. I also know her husband, Jobn Home; he is a labourer, and they have two children. On Tuesday, Millis Stokes came to me, and told me that Horne bad threatened to murder his wife, and wished rile to go to his house, which I did immediately, in company with `Mr. Pinkard, ore of the overseers. I producerl my staff, and desired him to keep the peace. I told him what I bad beard about his threatening his wife, and be replied that he would murder her if she entered the house dgain. I again prodneed him confined if he did nog the deceased broug' went him ; told h sent for  with him Stukes': hnt gem Phi' Sunda), cried out "For her come in. I'll from ti tvho wa,  and latched more thrhouse  %%hen  to thi, darken took