Murder at Invercargill.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXI, Issue 1924, 30 June 1905, Page 5

Murder at Invercargill.

A man named D. Swan, a bricklayer's labourer, at Invercargill, killed his wife on Wednesday night, in a most brutal fashion with a liat iron, having dug the sharp end into her th(oat and dragged it across, severing the jugular vein. The woman bled to death in a few minutes. The ieii side of her face was also forced down into her throat with the force of the blow. The man also attempted to murder a daughter aged about 16, but she ran out "into the street yelling, " lie's killed mother and now he's going to 1111 me. Catch him !" The lather was close behind her. The dwelling is almost opposite the Zealandia Hall in F.sk street, and the poultry show was being held there and the girl's screams attracted the crowd. One William Ronald, who is employed at Kingsland's Boot Factory, caught Swan and held him till the police came. The murder was committed at about 9.15 p.m. The daughter is at present in the hospital. The man had been prohibited, but had not touched drink since the order ran out some months back. It is not known at present if they quarrelled or not, but apparently the man did it without warning. Ho had been before the court more than once for assaulting his wife, and had been prohibited moro than once.

It appears that both Mr and Mrs Swan camo to New Zealand from Kngland some 30 yea(s ago. They were married 28 years ago, when the wife's age was 1!), and the husband's 22. It is known that they lived for some time in Woolston, a suburb of Christchurch. Eight children were born of tho marriage. The children in the house at the time were Florrie, aged 17, Rhoda 13 years, and Daniel 15 years. Another boy, Joseph 9-i years, was out at the Poultry Show. The children, as may be imagined, were reduced to a state of pitiable 'distress, but they appeared to be intelligent above the average, and were able to state what they knew clearly. At tho Police Station Swan was quite collected, and stated to the constable that at the time he did not know what he was doing. Besides the terrible injuries inflicted with a flat iron, Mrs Swan's throat was cut from ear to ear with, a razor, which the awuscd had concealed.

Swan was before. the Court yesterday afternoon on a charge of wife murder, .and formally remanded.