The Sun. — 1863-01-16 (London, England)

MURDERS AND A SUICIDE PREVENTED.—MELANCHOLY CASE.—Ann Hutchinson, a married woman, 36 years of age, residing at 70, Warren•.street, Fitzroy-square, and who appeared to be in a state of great distress, was charged as follows : Mr. Garforth, inspector of the E division, appeared to watch the case.  Alice Atchison, a young female, servant to a person in the house, said—l sleep in the house. About a quarter to 12 o'clock last night I was in my own room when the prisoner's little girl came down to me crying, and said her mother was going to destroy her and her little brother. I went upstairs immediately and did my best to reconcile the prisoner. On the table there were two knives. The prisoner said she would destroy the children as she was tired of her life, and that then she' would cut her own throat. I then left the room and went down stairs, telling the little girl that if her mother attempted anything of the sort again to come down and tell mo. I heard a noise, and the little girl came down and said her mother was going to destroy her, that she had caught hold of her, and was just going to cut her throat, but she managed to escape. She also said that her mother was about to cut her little brother's throat on the bed. I then went upstairs and told the prisoner that if she was going to do it she had better have some one to stay with her. The prisoner said she wouli not have any one with her. The prisoner then sent the little girl for a quartern of gin and drank it, and after she had done so she seemed to be out of her mind. The prisoner then took up the two knives from the table and sharpened one of them on the poker. I then sent the little girl for a constable, and went down stairs. On my return to the room with the constable I found the prisoner had cut her throat slightly with one of the knives, there being a mark on her throat and blood on the small knife.  Mr. Knox—Small knife I why, it is a table knife. • Witness—The prisoner then, in the presence of the constable, jumped out of bed and attempted to cut the little girl's throat. She caught hold of the child and said she would cut her throat, having a knife in her hand, but the child wrested herself from her grasp, and got away. The constable then left the room that the prisoner might put on her clothes, and prisoner said that if the policeman did not take her away that night, but let her stay till the next day, she would send the little girl for some laudanum, give it to the children, that they would then go to sleep and never wake again. She then dressed herself, and was taken away by the constable. Mr. Knox—How long has she lived in the house ? Witness—Three months, sir. Mr. Knox—Do you know how she gets her living ? Witness—l believe by walking the streets. Mr. Knox—Have you ever seen her drunk ? Witness—Only once or twice.  Police-constable House, 46 E, produced a table-knife with blood on it, and said—l was called to the house, 70, War_ ren-street by a little girl there. I saw the prisoner there. She said that she was in great distress, and that she had attempted to cut her throat with one of the knives on the table. She said, "If you leave me here to-night I shall cut my dear children's throats." I told her that I should take her to the station-house. I then left the room while she dressed herself. I afterwards went in and found her dressed and took her into custody. On the way to the station she said that the landlady had called upon her that day, and told her that she would turn her out of the house the following morning. I received the following certificate from the surgeon : " I certify that I attended Ann Hutchinson, who has a slight incision only skin deep, and about one inch in length, across her throat, caused by a sharp instrument. ",G. JENKINS (tor J. Weekes), Surgeon, 4, High-street, Bloomsbury." Mr. Knox—Prisoner, do you wish to ask any questions ? Prisoner—No, sir. Mr. Knox then remanded the prisoner for a week, and ordered the children to be given up to a person in the house who has promised to take care of them. One of the children, a girl, is eight years of age, and the other, a boy, six years of age.