The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1873-05-10 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

ATTEMPTED,;CHILD,,,XURDER. AND BUICIDIE  AT DUDLEY. Mk shocking case of attempted child murder and suicide occurred at Dudley on Iburedsy. A. hatter, named , Iteujamin;Cook, resided in Martin Hill Street, Dudley, with his wife and two children, the youngest of whom was only three months old, but for some time past they had not lived comfortably together, in consequence of Mrs. Cook's intinaperate habits. ;Frequent, quarrels took place between the man and wife, and their married Ide was said to be, and no doubt was anything but • bed of roses. Indeed, some weeks beck the wile attempted to •drown herself, but she was fortanately rescued from a watery grave. She had, however, no sooner recovered from the effects of liar rash act than she again returned to her drinking habits, and frequently ene_was in • delirious state. Lately she bad entirely given herself tap to the bottle, mad the result was that her manner and conduct were such ea to arouse the sympathy and attenuon of her neighbours. Chief among tuese was a Mrs. Clatcherty, who seems to have carefully and attentively watched sue actions of lira. Cook, and aid all she could to restrain tier drinking propensities. Yesterday morng, Mrs. Clatcherty paid • visit to Mrs. Cook's house, 'or the purpose, she says offetchtug,,away some soft water, widen she wanted for domestic purposes, Airs. cook was sitting on a bench in an apparent state of stupor, and both Liar children were mama and unwashed. arc. clatcherty took the children to her own homes and there gave them, what they had not had for many days, g good washing, and dressed them. the youngest child got a little troublesome, and it was taken back to its mother. Mrs. Clatcherty asked for some food for the other sou, but • conversation ensuing, she went away without it. Having occasion to return to Martin Hill Street, she found Mrs. Cooke front door fastened. She 11004 gained admittance, to and that Mrs. Cook had attempted to destroy herself by cutting her throat, and had a•so cut We throat of her infolit staid, blood was freely flowing down her breast from the wound and her garments were saturated with blood. The child, with its throat cut, was in her arms, and Mrs. Cook appeared tube in an unconscious state. As alarm war raised, and on the arrival of Pulicivaergeant ',Lerwick he at once sent for Dr. Bradley, and that gentleman was promptly in attendance. it was diacoverod that the windpipe of the child was severed, and that there was no chance of saving Aside. The wounds inflicted on the woman was found not to be of a dangerous nature, and she was conveyed to the Dudley l'ohce Cells. It was stated that Mrs. Cook had fur • long time been under the delusion that her husband would carry out his idle threat, and leave her with the two children, and it is believed that this idea, coupled with her liking for intoxicating beveragos, induced her to commit the fearful deed with which she now stands charged. When asked, on Thurs. , day morning, by Mrs. Clatcherty, if she should take the children away, Mrs. Cook replied "You can, if you have more right to them than I have." A pocket-knife and two table knives were found by the police on the table, covered with blood. The husband is said to be a steady and industrious mac, and the only drawback to his domestic happiness seems to have been his wife's fond• nese for liquor. On Thursday night the child was still alive, but gradually sinking. The mother has been removed to the Workhouse in custody of the police.