The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1883-06-02 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE AT LEICESTER.  On Wednesday a tragedy of a shocking nature, but fortunately unattended so far with fatal consequences, occurred in the populous district et Wharfstreet, a man named Henry Harrowemith, a clicker by trade, attempting to murder his wife, Jane Hszrowsmith, at their house, 123, Denman-street, and afterwards cutting his own throat. It appears that the parties have been married for many years, Harrowsmith being the woman's second husband. They have a large family, Mrs. Harrowsmith having six or seven children by her former husband, some of whom are married, while one or two of her sons are in the army. There are several children by the present marriage, and these are living at home, in Denman-street. Harrowsmith and his wife do not appear to have lived very peaceably together for some time past, owing, it is said, to his being addicted to drink, and his quarrelsome disposition when under its influence. Frequent quarrels have been known to take place between them, and during the last week or so Harrowsmith has been rather strange in his manner. He has frequently indulgedin violence towards his wife, and repeatedly threatened to "do for her." She has been obliged to sleep at a neighbour's house since Saturday, being afraid to stay with her husband at night, owing to his strange conduct. A week ago be, without, it is said, receiving any provocation, attacked his wife unawares with a flat-iron while she was preparing his breakfast, and struck her a blow with it on the back of the head, hurting her very much. On Wednesday he went home to his dinner as usual, and so far as we are able to learn, appeared to be on friendly terms with his wife. Shortly afterwards, however, while she was placing the dinner on the table, he suddenly, and without warning, attacked her with a clicker's knife, while she had her beak turned towards him, and stabbed her in the back of the neck, inflicting a deep flesh wound. She managed to get away from him before he did her further injury, and at once rushed from the house, jumped over the wall of the yard, and ran in the direction of the Junction-road. He entered the yard behind the Junction Inn, and while there deliberately eta his own throat with the same knife, initiating a frightful gash. Meanwhile the alarm having been given, the neighbours attended to Mrs. Harrowsmith's injuries, and P.C. Joseph West having been coiled in, he had her promptly removed to the Infirmary. On arriving there it was found that the wound she had received was not of a dangerous character, and it having been dressed she was sent home during the afternoon. Harrowsmith, it appears, made a desperate attempt upon his own life, and Dr. Lakin having been called in he was removed to the Infirmary, bleeding very much from the wound, wkich was of such a serious nature that he was detained at that Institution. So determined was he to destroy himself that he made several attempts to tear open the wound with his finger, but was fortunately prevented by constable West, and he is now carefully watched. He lies in a precarious condition, but hopes are entertained of his recovery. The shocking occurrence created much excitement in Denman-street and the neighbourhood.  LocAL