Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express, etc. — 1910-08-20 (Penistone, South Yorkshire, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER AT HOVLAND.  Iloy-land residents were given a terrible chock on Monday afternoon, when it became known that an inhuman attack bad been made on a poor invalid woman in her home in Malt Kiln Terrace. The discovery was made several hours after the cowardly deed had t,en done, by a iodghbour.  • - Mrs. Wheeler, who, as was customary for her to do, paid a cumuli visit to the home if Mrs. Aston Marples, to make inquiries as to how she was getting on, Mrs. Mari)les having tot sevetal years been a sufferer front acute rheumatism which had to a large extent rendered her nseless. Not finding her down!stairs, Mrs. Wheeler went upstairs, and a , terrible sight met her eyes. There on the !bed lay the unfortunate woman in a tnntila!led condition and almost dead. The side of the head had been smashed with a heavy instrument and a severe and deep cut was seen on her neck. Subsequently, in a search, n hatchet was found burred beneath some , bed flocks in a clothes closet, and from the blood stains it was evident that this was the implement which had been used. The facts, as revealed later, are particularly revolting, it appears that about 6 a.m., !Mr. Marples, her husband, had apparently !committed the assault whilst tho poor woman was sleeping. A buy, about 11 years of age, the only son, awoke just in Lithe to see the outrage, and his father asked the lad if he should serve hint the same. Later the father told the lad that he had killed his mother and if he told anybody he would kill him too. Bow effective this threat was and how terrified the lad was is gathered fnmn the lam that too htl was ou. m tut hone* for three hours before the discovery ! s-os made, and did not make known what had been done.  Marples left the house about 10 a.m., and a neighbour asked him . if his wife had got np Jimd he replied "No." The neighbour volunteered to go in 11(1 nee how idle wait but Mr. Marples replied she was sleeping and be did not want her to be disturbed. Marples has !lot been 5000 sine..  Notiring further took place until Mre. Wheeler's visit at one o'clock. Dr. W. L. Allett was summoned and found that the poor woman was still alive, and he had her et once removed to the Hospital. This tragic event appears to be the culmination of a lung lane of sordid circumstance'. For some years the couple do not appear to have lived at all comfortably together, as screams have been heard on more than one occasion, coming from the house. The man, in other respects, has an unenviable past. A. little over a year ago he attempted to commit suicide, and latterly he appears to have been in a very low titute. Ho has not worked for some throe or four monthe.  Thu police were quickly informed, and a starch was, instantly commenced. Supt. Mac Donald. of Barnsley, and the Staincrows %ion detective were soon on the spot, and the local officers were reinforaad: but up to the time of writing all efforts have proved unsuccessful. The description given by the police is that Murples is a man about Ki years of age. about sft. eins. in height; has light-brown hair and blue errs. and wears a moustache.