Widnes Examiner. — 1894-03-24 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

DREADFUL TRAGEDY AT ST. HELENS.  ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A SWEETHEART.  SUICIDE OF THE LOVER.  Shortly after nine o'clock on Tuesday night, the neighbourhood of Cowley Hill, one of the residential districts of S. Helens, was alarmed by hearing several shots from a resolver indicating to even the most uninitiated ears that something of an extraordinary nature had occurred. Several persons at once sought for the police, and Mr. C. Sharples,J.P. personally conreye I the information to the Town Hall. Police Sergeant S:s•;on immediately proceeded to the place, and there .found a young unmarried man named Joscph Pickavane7, an apprentice glass inaker,at Messrs. Pilkington Brothers sheet g!ass works, lying on the ground bleeding from a terrible wound in the right temple. In his right hand he was tightly grasping a revolver. An examination showed that death had been instantaneous, and the body was removed by Policesergeants Sisson and Moffat, and Police-constable Platt to the public mortuary. The body then presented a terrible sight, the bullet having entered the temple, and apparently lodged near the right eye. It was stated, though at the time of writing the rumour had not been confirmed, that the young man had quarrelled with a young woman with whom he had been keeping company and that having invited her to meet him in a lonely place near St. Mark's Church, he suddenly drew a revolver, presented it at her head and fired. The shots passed her in dangerous proximity, but so far as could be gathered she escaped unhurt. The young man then ran short distance, shot himself in the head, and fell to the ground. Police-constable Platt, who lives in Chapel-st. about 200 yards away, heard two shots fired and a scream, and he at once went to the place. Further inquiries show that Pickavance,the dead man was about eighteen years of age; and the girl, whoso. name was Elizabeth Johnson, was about the same age. She was a domestic servant. They had been courting about twelve months,and she had given birth to a child. He was, of course, questioned as to what assistance he intended to give her, but his wages were small, and he was in a dilemma. On Tuesday morning he sent her word that if she would meet him near St. Mark's Church at nine o'clock on Tuesday night, he would arrange matters. She proceeded to the place carrying her baby and had some conversation with him. He appeared to be somewhat strange, and on turning to go away she heard the click of a revolver, She lifted her hand to protect her liead,and was struck by a butlet,which penetrated the hand, and also injured the neck. She fell to the ground, and Piekavance, believing doubtless, that he had killed her, ran a few yards, and then dischargeu the contents of another chamber into his right temple. Several persons who had been attracted to the place took the injured woman to her sister's house in Frederick-st., where Dr. Wallace (from the surgery of Drs. Twyford, Reid, and Masson) was promptly in attendance. It is believed that she has the bullet either in her hand or neck, but an examination was not made or., Tuesday night. The injured parts were bandaged, and orders were g,iveu to keep the patient as quiet and as free from excitement as possible. The revolver was a rather old weapon, and had six chamberz,three of which were loaded, and three discharged. The injured girl was removed on Wednesday afternoon to the Vrovidence Hospital, where Dr. Reid and Dr. Wallace examined her injuries. The bullet was found embedded in the scalp, and it had evidently passed through the girl's hand. The girl is expected to recover although similar injuries have been known to take a. bad course.