The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1875-06-11 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

THE SHOCKING TRAGEDY NEAR NEW CASTLE. A WIFE SHOT DEAD.  ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER. The Newcastle Chronicle gives the following particulars of this sad tragedy:— The victim is a woman named Sarah Duxfield C'harlton, and the murderer is her hesbend, Richard Charlton, a labotsier. who is not expected to recover from the injuries he inflicted upon himself. From what can be gathered, Charlton, who lived in Dinnington, married a sister-in-law, of Mr. Robson, farmer, Gardner'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. Charlton possessed some £2OO or £BOO in her own right, and that she refused to give it up to her husband, who, in the latter part of his married life, constantly sought its possession. His persistent applications appear to have been as persistently refused, and in the end the unhappy cause of dispute led him to treat the deceased with such systematic tyranny and cruelty that she fled to Mr. Robson's farm, where she obtained shelter. Here she remained some weeks, and about two months ago 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 rfifused to comply with his wishes. Repeated disappointments appear to have made Charlton desperate, for on Saturday last, as early as five o'clock in the morning, he again visited Mr. Robson's farm and asked to see his wife. He was told that she could not then be seen, and that she did not usually rise until eight or nine o'clock in the morning. After this incident the facts as they subsequently transpired displayed a determined purpose on the part of the murderer. The day wore on, and all the hinds and servants went to their daily employment, leaving in the house only Mrs. Ann Robson, Mrs. Charlton, and Mrs. Bennett, of Blyth, all sisters. Mrs. Bennett, it should be stated, was ill, and was staying with Mrs. Robson for the benefit of her health. Charlton chose the most favourable opportunity for the accomplishment of the frightful project in his mind. At two o'clock, when the sisters were still alone, he 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 aaswered, "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 deemed bent upon making a slaughter-house of the farm kitchen. Seizing Mrs. Robson by the arm, be deliber tely fired into her face; but fortunately the bullet, in Viet desperate struggle which tfc°erred, only grazed her left cheekbone. By dint of frantic efforts is second intended victim eluded his grasp, and with great presence of mild got into a pantry near, along with her sister, Mrs. Bennett, who, from terror and bodily ailments, was unable to lead effectual assistance. The women, in their fearful extremity, screamed for assistance, but none arrived. The still raging man, bailed for a time, then endeavoured to force the pantry door. With his shoulder leaned against it he pressed until it had almost yielded, but Mrs. Hobson, with the strength which belongs to a person seeking to avoid a horrid death, held it with her who e force. Foiled in this attempt. Charlton then, with great, savezery, fired at tbe doorway, but the woodwork was too stout to admit of the bullets passing through. Seeing this, and apparently more maddened than ever, he again rushed against the door, and this time succeeded in getting it partially opened. Mrs. Robson, with great bravery, took the lead in resisting, and endeavoured to again close the door. In doing so, she disclosed a portion of her hand, and the murderer instantly fired. The bullet slit her thumb, passed through the top of her hand, and fell to the pantry floor. Unable to get in by the dlorway, Charlton suddenly hilt the kitchen, and the plearemained in silence for a short space of time. Bud detly they observed Charlton's face peenng in at a back window upon them He fired through the glass, apparently at random, for his shots fell harmlessly. Seemingly net satisfied with this point of attack, he made his way round the building again, and meeting with a fourth worn in. also named Mrs. Robson, fired at her without assignable reason. Fortunately, his shot did not take effect. Spevt probably by the so ne of blood through which he bad passed, the unhappy man returned to the kitchen, and, placing the revolver against his right cheek, fired int 3 his head. Shortly afterwards, one of the men.servants entered, and found Mrs. Charlton lying upon the hearth, with her head towards the fireplace. She was still living, though quite unconscious. Her husband lay by her side, and at a little distance, on the floor, was his revolver, a five chambered weapon. Dr. Heath, of Newcastle, and Dr. Jameson, of Ponteland, were soon in attendance. All needful steps were taken by them, but from the first the case of Mrs. Charlton, was pronounced 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 in uries, though serious, are not dangerous, but it will  be long before be recovers the shock to ker nervous system. But it is feared that the consequences to Ire. Bennett, in her weakly condition, will be _ . . . .  critical. The in,estigations made by Supt. Taylor disclose some startling circumstance& In all, about seven shots must have been fired by Charlton, and to discharge his weapon that number of times would necessitate its being re-loaded. The Coroner for i-outh Northumberland held an inquest cm Ntonaßy on the body of Mrs. Charlton. A verdict of • Wilful murder" was returned against Charlto_..  A