The Northern Guardian. — 1894-07-12 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

MURDER AT STOCKTON.  A MAN STABS HIS DAUGHTER.  THEN KILLS HIS WIFE.  THE MURDERER ATTEMPTS  SUICIDE.  A tremendous sensation was caused in Stockton, this morning, on it becoming known that a ship. yard labourer named Lawson had murdered his wife, stabbed his only daughter, and then attempted to commit suicide. It appears that the man had been out of work for some time, and his wife had been living with their widowed daughter, Mrs Sharp, at 28, HeozeLl Street, off Norton Road. ' It is said that the man and wife had had repeated quarrels lately on account of his being out of employment. Last night the deceased woman, who is said to have been a quiet, steady, and industrious wife, sent to the police, complaining of the ill-treatment of her husband. The pair were pacified, but the quarrel was ienewed early this morning, and between three and four o'clock Lawson set upon the poor woman with a knife, and stabbed her in so fearful a manner that she died before any assistance could be rendered. The man, evidently in a state of frenzy, then stabbed his daughter. Fortunately, her wounds are not serious. He then cut his own throat, and so serious was his condition considered that he was removed to the hospital, where he lies in a very critical condition. Another account says:—.John Lawson, a labourer, returned last night to the residence of Elizabeth Sharp, Henzell Street, Stockton, where Margaret Lawson, his wife, was staying. Mrs Sharp is a widowed daughter of the Lawsons. High words passed, but Lawson was allowed to remain all night. At four o'clock this morning he entered the room where his wife and daughter were sleeping, and first attacked the daughter with a butcher's knife. She rushed into the street screaming, and when neighbours and police obtained entrance the wife was found dead with terrible gashes in her throat. Lawson had attempted suicide, and was removed to the hospital, where he lies in a critical condition. Mrs Sharp, the daughter, after being treated at the hospital, was removed to the workhouse. John Lawson is a native of Seaham Harbour, is 4.3 years old, and was a labourer. His father, who is living, was a hewer at " Knack " Colliery, and is about 70 years old. His mother is also living, and is about the same age. Lawson first came to Stockton 18 years ago, and worked as a striker at Blair's yard. He got married shortly after, and has seven children. - The eldest is 17 years old, and the youngestabout 14 monthsold. The deceased woman is about 38 years old, and was a most industrious woman. The parties who were living with their daughter Elizabeth, who is a widow, and whose husband was killed at Knack Colliery, Seaharn Harbour, quarrelled last night. The daughter wanted her father to leave, and sent for a policeman to put him- out, bit he begged to stay uutil this morning, hen he would go away, and, on this understanding, he was allowed to remain. They again quarrelled, and Lawson stabbed his wife about 20 times from her knees up to her head. His daughter interfered, and Lawson attempted to murder her, but, fortunately, only succeeded in stabbing her in the face, and making a wound about four inches long, which is not considered serious. The daughter was removed to the hospital and had the wound dressed, and was allowed to return home again. Lawson was a lazy man, and would not work. He frequently sent out his children to beg, and he would sit down and eat what they brought in.