EXTRAORDINARY ATEMPTTED SUICIDE BY THREE WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1154, 4 October 1873, Page 3

EXTRAORDINARY ATEMPTTED SUICIDE BY THREE WOMEN.

An extraordinary case of attempted suicide by three young women occurred on the sth August; at Spring-hill, Birmingham. Shortly after nine o'clock a young man named Henry Vanghan was passing along the canal side, near to Spring-hill, when he heard screams proceeding from the water, near to the boiler works. On looking in the direction whence the sorearrta came he perceived th:ee females struggling together in the water. Vanghan at once ran to the spot, and tried to rescue them, at the same time calling for assistance. Several men came in answer to his calls, and by their aid the females were got out. Their names afe Rachel A mold, residing in Aberdeen street; Pi cebfi Shott, 27, Ingleby street ; and Harriet- Fowkes, back of 27, Ingleby street • and their ages range from seventeen to twenty-one years. Arnold and Shott were tied together with a shawl, and when they came out of the water they were in a very exhausted state, but they soon recovered sufficiently to be able to walk home. It was not so, however, with Fowkes. It was noticed that when she was in the water she appeared to be underneath the other two girls. and when she came out she was unconscious, and in that condition was conveyed home. Mr E. T. Burton, surgeon, of Spring-Mil, was sent for, and on arrival he used means for the recovery of ITowkes, who would undoubtedly have been entirely drowned if she had remained in the water a little longer. With proper treatment it is expected she will recover. Police-constable Bacon was summoned to the house, and removed the girl to the workhouse, and .afterwards took Arnold and Shot into custody. As to what motive prompted the mi fortunate girls to attempt suicide nothing deiinite is. known. !t was stated that Fowkes wonted to go to West Bromwich for some purpose with Arnold and Shott, and that her mother made an objection which offended her. She then loft the house and went with the other girls to a public-house, where they drank aquantity of spirits, Fowkes treating her companions. They left the public-house partially intoxicated, and were not seen again until they were found in the canal. All of them were employed ;it Messrs Xettlefold and Chamberlain's screw manufactory. The affair created much excitement in the neighbourhood.