Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1883-06-09 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

MURDER AND SUICIDE AT ROTHER HAM. On Saturday morning a shocking occurrence took place in a yard off High•street, Rotherham, a man killing his wife with a razor and then committing suicide. The house in which the tragedy took place is in Barker's Yard—o steep court between high-street and the croft. The occupints of the house were Joe Barker, aged 39, a moulder his wife, Eitatheth Barker, aged 38, (the two persons now deceased); live of the their seven children; William Cordron, aged 58, sod his son John the father and brother of Mrs, Barker. Barker had been a teetotaller for some time up too few months ago. when he began drinking again, and shortly afterwards showed signs of suicidal mania Two months ago he was certified as insane by the poor, law medical officer of the district, and wile confined in Wadsley Asylum. He there showed I such signs of recovery that about four weeks ago he was discharged, and since then has followed bin usual employment as a moulder. On Friday night he appeared all right, but from that fact of his accreting a razor bud placing it well-sharpened clasp knife with the blitue open in his trousers pocket, it was evident that the mania had returned. Mrs. Barker'a father and brother occupied a bed in the back-room, while the frontrootu was occupied by Barker cud his family. There are seven children, but the two eldest, Annie, aged 18, and Edith, are in service in the town, and consequently only the five younger ones sleep at home. Their names are Edwin, Lily, Ellen, Freddie and Willie. the youngest being nearly two years old. About six o'clock when Cordron and his son left to go to their work, everything was quiet, but about seven o'clock the eldest boy was awakened by hearing his father say something to his mother. He raised himself up in bed, and was horrified to bee his father cutting his wife's throat with a razor. She screamed and struggled and lie then be made a slash at the child's breast following this up by drawing the razor ill a most determined manner across his own throat, cutting his head nearly hat off. Injured as she was the woman seized the razor, and managed to get it from him just before he fell to the floor. She ran downstairs, end her screams attracted the at tentiou of the neighbours, one of whom, W. Totnlinson, a cab driver, buret on the door arid entered the house- In a few minutes the boy Edwin came dawnstairs, and being asked whore his father was replied in a very distressed state of miud that he was dead on the floor. Mrs Barker then expired. Police Constable Barham west immediately to the house and took possession of the razor. It was found thot the woman had received two very frightful wounds, one on the throat awl the other iu the left shoulder joint The man was found with his feet towards the door, lying in a pool of blood, with his throat cut. Death in his case must have followed very speedily upon the infliction of the wouud. The injuries to the child are fortunately of a trillicg nature, consisting of a superficial wound emits the breast, some sift or saves inches in leugth.  OPENING Or THE WITHINGTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, The uew Congregational Church in Palatine Road. Wallington, wae opened for Divine service on Thursday evening ; the Rev. Dr. Macfadyen conducting the firet of a aeries of epecial service. The design of the church is the geometrical Gothic, and the building has been erected by Metiers. W. Southern and Sons, Salford, under the direction of the architect, Mr R.T. Tolson, Deaneguto. The Church coneats of nave, aisles, and transepts, and will seat 000 worshippers. The church lase been tualt at a coat of £4,000, nearly one-half of which hae already been contributed, and it is hoped that a considerable amount will be raised by the opening service,.