The Shropshire Examiner and all round the Wrekin advertiser. — 1875-06-11 (Wenlock, Shropshire, England)

WIFE SIIOT DEAD.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER.  The Nerc,isile Chronicle gives the following particulars of this sad tragedy:— The victim is a woman named Sarah Ditxfield ieharlton, and the murderer is her herband, Richard r iharltori, a 'shower, who is not expected to recover from the injuries he inflicted upon self.e'rern what can be gathered, Charlton, who lived in Dinnington, married a sister-in-law. of Mr. Pobsos, farmer, Oardner's Houses, Dinnington, and for some time they lived comfortably together, there being apparently nothing to disturb the peace of their wedded life. It is stated that Mrs. Chariton poseosed some .£OOO or £3OO biller own right, and that she re,fused to give it up to her husband, who, in the latter part of his married life, constantly sought its possession. His persisteet applications appear to have been as persisteatly refused, and in the end the unhappy cause of dispute led hive to treat the deceased with such systematic tyranny and cruelty that she fled to Mr. hebson's farm, where she obtainederhelter. Here she remained seine weeks, and abeee two months ego she was delivered of a child. Her husband, during her stay, constantly sought inter. views with her in order to induce her to return home, but his wife refused to comply with his wishee. leepeeted dieippointments appear to have made Chavlton desperate, for on Saturday lest, as early as five o'clock in the morning, he again visited 2.1 r. Robswee farm and asked to ase his wife. He was told that she could not then I.eieen, and that she die not usually rice until eight or nine o'clock in the morning. After this incident the facts as thee subsequently transpired displayed a determined purpose on the part of the murderer. The day wove on, and all the hinds and servants went to their daily employment, leaving in the homor only Mrs. Ann Robson, Mrs. Charlton, and Mrs Bennett, of Myth, all e:eters. Mrs. Bennett, it should be stated, was ill, and was staying with Mrs. Itebeon for the benefit of her health. Charlton chose the most favettrahle opportunity for the accomplishment of the frightful project in his mind. At two o'clock, when the sistera were still alone, lie entered the kitchen, and seizing his wife by the arm, exclaimed, "Now, are you going to return, or what are you going to do?" "No," she answered, tt she would never go back !" Thereupon, without more words, he placed the revolver at the back of her head and fired—it is believed two shots—through the base of the skull. The woman fell without a groan or sign of a struggle. Infuriated and maddened, the culprit seemed bent upon making a slaughter-house of the farm kitchen. Seizing Mrs. Robson by the arm, he deliber .tely tired into her face; but fortunately the bullet, in the desperate struggle which is:ern-red, only graved her left cheektmee. By dint of frantic efforts his second intended victim eluded his grasp, and with great presence of mind got into a pantry near, along with her sister, Mrs. Bennett, who, from terror and bodily ailments, was nimble to lend effectual assistance. The women, in their fearful extremity, screamed for assistance, but none arrived. The still raging man, beetled for a time, then endeavonred to force the pantry door. With his shoulder leaned against it he pressed until it had ahnost yielded, but Mrs. Robson, with the strength which belongs te a peraon seeking to avoid a horrid death, held it with her who e force. Foiled in this attempt. Charlton then. with great saviteery. fired at the doorway, but the woodwork was too stout to admit of the bullets passing through. Seeing this, and apparently inure maddened than ever, he again rushed neainst the door, and this time eucceeded in getting it partially opened. Mrs. Robson, with great brarery, took the beel in resisting, and endeavoured to again Clove the door. In doing so. she disclosed a portion of her hand, and the murderer instantly tired. The bullet alit her thumb, passed through the too of her hand, and fell to the pantry floor. Unable to get in by the doorway, Charlton suddenly lett the kitchen, and the place remained in silenee for a short space of time. Suddenly they observed Charlton's face peering in at a track window upon them_ He fired through the glass, apparently at random, for his shots fell harmlessly. Seemingly not satisfied with this point of attack, he made his way round the buiidine again, and meeting with a fourth woman, also named Mrs. Robeon, fired at her without aesigneble reason. Fortneately, his shot did not take effect. Spent probibly by the ec ne of bleed through which he had passed, the unhappy man returned to the kitchen, and, placing the /evolver against his right cheelt., tired into his heed. Shertlz efter, warcLl, one of ;he ILcn.,,ery anis enierect and found Mrs. Charlton lying upon the hearth, with her head tereerls the fireplace. She was still living, though quite uneonscious. Her husband lay by her side, and at a little distance, on the floor, was his revetoer, a five-chamlrered weapon. hr. Heath, of Newcastle, and I r. Jameson, of Ponteland, were soon in attendance. All needful steps were taken by them, but from the first the ease of Mrs. Chart. ton, was proweinced hopeless, and after lingering in an insensible condition throughout, she expired about one o'clock on Sunday morning. charlton's wound is considered mortal. Mrs. Robson's infUriee, though periwig, are not dangerous, but it will be long before she recover, the shock to her nervous system. But it is feared that the consequences to Mrs. Bennett, in her weakly condition, will ba iritical. The investigations made by Supt. Taylor disclose some startling circumstances. In elt about seven shots must have been fired b; and to discharge his weapon t numbof times —t..harlton", 0 re-load „t• - er ed. The Coroner for ..I,lei riurthunaberlend held an inquest on Nlondey on the bode 'if Mrs. Charlton. A verdict of el was returned against Charltoe.