The Sun. — 1859-06-02 (London, England)

THE MURDER AND A 2 TEMPTED • SUICIDE AT OLDBURY.  The miserable woman who murdered her child and atte•npted her own life, as reported in The Sun yesterday, has somewhat rallied, and has been able to take a little liquid sustenance. She is perfectly sensible, and appears to be impressed with a deep sense of the crime she has committed. The excitement in the town continues to be intense, particularly among the mining population, and great commiseration is felt for the unfortunate husband, William Forster.  The inquest on the deceased boy was held oti Tuesday. The jury, after being sworn, proceeded to view the body, which lay in the same room where the murder took place. On their return the first witness examined was  William Forster, whodeposed—l am a miner, and live in Furnace-row, Oldbury. The deceased was my son. On Sunday night we all retired to bed about eleven o'clock. Myself, my wife, and four children occupied the same room. The youngest child slept in the same bed with myself and my wife. The other three children slept in another bed. Their names were, Eliza, aged sixteen, Susan, aged eight ; and John, aged about twelve. I did not go to sleep till about two o'clock, and was awoke about three by my daughter Eliza screaming. I then saw my wife standing in her chemise, close to the bed where the deceased bad been sleeping. I did not see her in the act of cutting his throat, but with my daughter endeavoured to prevent her doing any more mischief. Before we could get to her my wife cut a large wound in her own throat, and was in the act of repeating the cut when I and Eliza took the razor from her., Blood was flowing from the deceased's throat, and also from my wife's. I threw my wife down en the floor, and she became insensible. I thought she was dead. I then 'went to look at the boy, and say( he was dead. I then rushed down stairs and burst open the door with a poker, because I could not wait for the key. I alarmed a neighbour, Mrs' Houghton, and sent her for Mr. Cooper, surgeon. In. March last my eldest daughter, aged 19, died, and it preyed very much upon my wife's mindShe was always moaning, ands saying, " Oh, nIY poor wench." My wife became very much depressed. She said the neighbours were talking about her, and wished to raise a scandal about her. On Sunday she was more depressed than usual, and seemed in a sad way. The razor with which the deed was done was mine, and was kept in a used I had use in a chest of drawers in the kitchen. it on the same Sunday morning. The drawer Ntra i_an. not kept locked. The key was not usually tir to out of the lock. My wife never attemptedo destroy herself, nor was her mind affected prevl° ~. to the death of our eldest daughter. MY wife vg.-very fond of the deceased, and was an affectionate mother to all her children. Eliza Forster, an interesting-looking girl, aged about 16, deposed—John Forster was my brother. I slept with. him on Sunday night. My sister Susan slept with us in the same bed. About da) light I was awoke by my sister, who thought her brother was sick. My sister screamed, and I then saw my mother standing by the side of the bed,& and leaning over John. I jumped out of bed, all went to my mother as quickly as -I could. As. got out of bed she drew a razor which she had 10 , her right hand across her throat. I then seize?. her hands, and my father also took hold of her. tried to take the razor from her, but she drew .3 through my hand, and made another cut at her throat. She was bleeding from the throat a great deal. My hand was cut very badly, but I got the razor from her. My father then threw my mother down. She did not struggle much. I went clown stairs, and waited until my father came back after sending for Mr. Cooper. Just as my father came back my mother came down stairs. She has alwaYe been kind to me, and to all her children. She seemed fonder of the deceased than any Of the, others. He was the only boy, and I never hearu her threaten him.  At this stage of the proceedings the inquiry Wll5 adjourned.