The Sun. — 1863-05-08 (London, England)

SUICIDE.  On Wednesday evening one of the most appalling and desperate attempts at murder and suicide which have been perpetrated in Nottingham for many years past was committed in Narrow-marsh (a low part of the town). A man named John %Vheeldon, a sawyer, purchased two small pistols on Monddy, at the shop of Mr. Woodhouse, pawnbroker, Clum ber-street. About 5 o'clock on Wednesday evening Wheeldon was in Narrow-marsh, and seeing his wife passing, called her. She went to him and accompanied him into the house of a man named Mitchell, where their child was. A conversation took place, characterised by bitterness on both sides, and at its close the woman heard the click of a pistol trigger. She rushed towards her husband to wrest the pistol from his hand or throw up his arm, but before she reached him he fired, and the bullet took effect between the eyes, entering the head. There were three men present, but they either had nut presence of mind, or Wheeldon was too quick for them, and had discharged the pistol before they could prevent him. The woman fell speechless, but soon arose and staggered into the street,where, after having walked a few paces, she would have fallen had not a butcher named Calch caught her in his arms.Wheeldon followed his wife into the street,and walked along until he came opposite to the Wheatsheaf beer-house, in which he lodged. Here he took another pistol out of his pocket, and pointing at his right ear, fired. The ball took effect, and ho fell on the footway. A cab was sent for, and Sergeant Hopkinson, with four constables, came up. The woman was placed in the cab, with a constable in charge, and conveyed to the General Hospital. The bullets in both cases remained in. The man sustained a fractured jaw-bone. At about nine o'clock he became speechless, and deaf in one ear ; it is supposed the bullet must have injured the base of the brain. The woman was bleeding profusely, and in her case it is supposed the bullet must have taken a down ward direction and lodged in the neck. The statement made by the unfortunate woman after she was removed to the hospital was to the following effect :—" John Wheeldon is my husband. We have been living apart about a fortnight, when he sold my home up. Between 4d and 5 this (Wednesday) afternoon I was going down Narrow-marsh alone, when I heard my husband call me and say ' Come here.' I turned round and went with him into Mitchell's house in I:.iarrow  marsh. My husband followed into Mitchell's house  Mr. Mitchell and two other men were there. My husband said to me, ' God help you, you look a poor  creature.' I said 'Yes, and you don't look much better. You're paying 128. a week for your board  now, but when you was with me you were not contented.' Ha said, don't feel contented now. Do you want any money ?' I said, No; you may take it to the Scotobwoman that fetched the warrant for me.' He said, The warrant will do you no harm now. I'll pay any money for you.' He told me to  Kiss my child which was then in the room. I kissed my child. Ile said, Will you take the child ?' I  said, 'No, I cin't. I can't maintain it. You've taken the bread out of my mouth, or I could have  done it ; but if the Lord spares me I will get a  living now' He said, ' Yes, my wench, you won;d2 He said, ' Have one glass with  I said, ' No,  never while I live. You have scandalized me to  .he utmost, and I can think of you no more. I will ake a little house, and try to manage the best way I can.' He said, ' You know I won't let you live in chat way.' I said, I will get a protection paper.' I then heard him draw a trigger. Mitchell looked round, and I said, Oh! he's got a pistol.' I ran towards my husband, who shot me on the faca. I fell on the floor, and tried to speak, but could not. I then got up, and ran into the street. I was shortly afterwards taken to the hospital." The man's case is hopeless; the woman also lies in a most danST.