MURDER AND SUICIDE.

Evening Post, Volume XIII, Issue 54, 4 March 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

MURDER AND SUICIDE.

(Melbourne Argus, 22nd February.) A frightful murder and suicide occurred at South Geelong between 1 and 2 o'clock to-day. Some time ago William Stenson, a gardener by occupation, was committed to the Yarra Bend, whence he came, out a. month ago last Wednesday. He was for many years,^n the employment of Mr. Adcock, Highton, as gardener. He subsequently got a little place of his own, which was situated on a flat near the river. He had been, eccentric for a long time". His lands were inundated during 1 the last floods^ and his crops partially destroyed. When the waters were out he got up a tree, and it is stated, that he* would xipt come down, saying lie had 5 nothing -to 'come down for. From that time lie appeared, it is stated, to be insane, and had to be placed, undeurestraint. Since he came out of the asylum he has continued very quiet, and no alarm was felt at his release. At the time mentioned he and. his 'grown-up daughter-, were picking apples in the garden, and had j taken a basket-fulL up to the 'house, when he said to her, " You go down ; I I will be after you directly." She .had not y been gone' many minutes when she- heard her mother screaming. She rushed up to the house, and found her mother rushing about frantic with pain, Stenton having been bumping her head on the floor. She told her mother not to go in the' house again, but being half mad with pain, she-did so. Shortly after the poor woman died in her daughter's arms. Stenton rushed after ? his daughter, T but not catching her, retired to his bedroom, and cut his throat from ear^cto ear. He then staggered down the steps into the garden and died. Dr.' William Shaw quickly attended, but was too late to do any good. Deceased, j who was between 40 and 50 years of age, leaves a family of four children. The death of the wife is believed to have been caused by the bursting of arteries,. There are bruises on her temple, but no broken wounds. The affair caused an immense sensation in the locality. ' •. .