The Express. — 1864-03-28 (London, England)

SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN CANTERBURY.  ATTEMPTED MURDER BY A LOVER, AND DESPERATE SUICIDE.  CANTERBURY, MONDAY MORNMO. Last night, between 7 and 8 o'clock, a shocking tragedy was enacted in this city. A young man made a deliberate attempt to murder a young woman, with whom be has been keeping company about three years, and afterwards committed suicide in a most determined manner. The parties belong to the humbler walks of life, but the dreadful event his created greet excitement in this city. The young woman, Esther Cullen, is 21 years of age, end is a domestic in the service of Mr. Higdon, of Castle street, end Horton, who wee years of age, was a labourer in the employ of Mr Small, builder. Horton had been keeping company with the girl for upwards of three years; but his conduct towards her was occasionally very violent. Two years ago she summoned h4in before the magistrates, and he wee bound over to keep the peace. Since that time the girl is said to have frequently expreesed her intention of breaking off the acquaintance altogether. On Friday, however, she went with him on an excursion to the Crystal Palace, and Yesterday afternoon they were out for • walk together. It is said that they bad • quarrel oo Friday, but we have not been able to ascertain whether there is any truth in the rumour. Last night Mr. Higdon and his family went to church, leaving the girl Esther Cullen and her sister, who is about 12 years of age, in the house. Between 7 and 8 o'clock Horton knocked at the front door, and on its being opened by the sister he walked in. The sister invited him into the parlour, but instead of following her, he walked straight into the kitchen. What transpired is not exactly known, but in a few seconds the little girl heard the report of a pistol, and Esther Cullen rushed into the street, exclaiming that she was shot. She , was bleeding from • wound in the face. An alarm was raised, but some time elapsed before anyone ventured to enter the kitchen, and when at length Mr. Devise, superintendent of police, did so, he found the room filled with the smoke of powder. He heard • gurgling noise, and on looking round discovered Horton lying on the floor io • pool of blood, with • large wound on his right temple and another in his throat. Beside hint were two pistols, both of which had been recently discharged, and • knife. One of the pistols and the knife were marked with blood. It is coojectured that after his intended victim left the kitchen, Horton first stabbed himself in the throat with the knife, and afterwards & the pistol at his bead. A surgeon was sent for, and r. Tustin's assistant was promptly on the spot, but his services were of no avail, es death ensued in a few minutes. An examination showed that either the wound in the neck or that on the temple wee sufficient to cause death. The injury sustained by the girl was, fortunately, not of • very serious character. The pistols were of the ordinary description, but evidently quite new, and io one of the deceased's pockets • ball was found. It is difficult to account for the superficial nature of the girl's wounds, as the *pistol was discharged almost full in her face. Bat it may be that, having been hurriedly and unskilfully loaded, the hall had rolled out into the pocket of the deceased while he wee on his way to the house of his intended victim.