Runcorn and Widnes Examiner. — 1874-05-02 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

ATIENIPTED DOUBLE MURDER AND SUICIDE IN WARRINGTON.  On Monday morning Mr. C. E. Driffield held an inquest at the Unicorn Itu, Winwick-road, Warrington, on the body of Thomas Lowe, butcher, who committed su cide on Friday ni4ht, the 24th inst., after attempting to murder his wife, and stabbing his brother-in-law.—The circumstances of the case are detailed iu the following evidence :—Peter lielawright said he resided in Turner-street and was a butcher by trade. The deceased, who was a butcher, had married his eister, and was about 40 years of age. Witness was at home about eleven o'clock. His sister was in the house at the time. He had not time to speak to her before he saw Thomas Lowe was standing inside the door. He had entered the house afterwards. He look ‘d. as if he was going to create a disturbance and witness said he wauld not have any bother in his house from either of them. Lowe then walked towards h it wife and put his arm round her neck, and bent her head back. Witness saw his other hand go up with a knife in it, and he made a rush at him. They had a struggle and deceased s Lid he had done it. Witness dared not leave loose of the hand in which the decease I had the knife and he received two cuts on the right hand. In strug sling outside witness received a cut in the ribs on the lett side, and ii. the buttock on the right hide. Witness shouted " paliee," and "murder," and the deceased made off when he saw some one owning. He followed Lowe down to the bottom of the street and then returned home, when he found some neighbours putting wet cloths on Mrs. Lowe's throat. Her throat was badly cut, and the wound was dangerous. Witness's wif s told him that Mrs. Lowe had come to his house because she was afraid of her husband. They lived ye y unhappi y together. Both were given to drink and Lowe was ot a jealous disposition. She had come scores of times to his house, sometimes in the middle of the night, and in her night dress. They did not go on Friday night until all the bother was over. Lowe was perfectly right in his mind when free from drink. The night before, Mrs. Lowe and her children had to sleep at his house through fear. Some five or six weeks ago Lowe suffered from delirium tremens through drinking so heavily, Alas. Lowe had lost the use of one of her hands, the sinews being cut, and the fingers doubled up through a cut received in a row. Scarcely a day went past but what they had rows. The deceased had been several tim-s to prison for assaulting his wife. Ile considered there were faults on both sides. Mrs. Ann Hankiuson, wife of Thomas Haukinson, residing in Orford-lane, said she was at her brother's in Turner-stree She heard a disturbance about eleven o'clock and on looking out of the door she heard Thomas Lowe asking his wife to go home but she would not. She said he would beat her if she did, but hs said he would not, and again sliced her tngo home. She refused and attempted to put him out of the house. He then rushed at ner, and ' witness heard Icenwright exclaim that he had got a knife. Witness went into the house to assist, and she saw Mrs. Lowe bleeding. The men were still wrestling for the knife, and the deceased exclaimed •" I have done it." Witness put some wet cloths on Mrs. Lowe's throat, and then went to the deceased's house. Sarah Jane Lowe, aged 16 years, eldest daughter of Thomas Lowe, said her father had been in bed all the afternoon, and got up about eight o'clock, and went up the street. He returned about ten o'clock and went up to bed. Soon after he got up and wantel to know where her mother was. She told him and he went for her. Her sister said she had seen him sharpen the kuives before he went to bed the second time. When he returned from seeing her mother he had a knife in his hand, and she and her a titer left the house. He threatened her mother on Wednesday, saying he would stop that gash up (meaning her mother) before long. In consequence of that her mother was afraid to stop in the house on Thursday night. P.O. Timms deposed to going to deceased's house and finding him lying on the flour with his throat cut. He breathed twice after he got in. The room was covered with blood, and two large clasp knives lying open on the dressing table. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that Thomas Lowe killed himself by cutting his throat with a knife, but in • what state of mind he was at the tune there was 110 evidence to show.  The funeral of the deceased, which took place on Monday if tornoon, woo -witnessed by • lorie crowd of peopbat