TRAGEDY IN MELBOURNE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXI, Issue 221, 21 September 1895, Page 3

TRAGEDY IN MELBOURNE.

WIFE MURDER AND SUICIDE. A shocking tragedy, involving a murder and a suicide, was committed at West Melbourne early on the morning of September 9th. The author of the orime was John Wai jh, aged 48, an ex-railway employe, He had been out of regular work for the past 2| years. During this period bis wife had acted as breadwinner, having a wage of £1 per week for work* ing as charwoman at the Commercial Bank. Two years ago Mrs Walsh had her husband bound over to keep the peace. Latterly be treated her badly, m consequence of which* she instituted proceedings against him for assault. The charge was to have been heard on Monday morning. It is believed this fact was the principal motive for the orime. Mrs Walsh rose about 9 o'clock, and was preparing herself a hasty breakfaßt, when her husband came out of his bedroom with a revolver m his hand, and fired at her. Mrs Walsh threw up her hands, and the bullet passed through the wrist of her left arm. The commotion aroused her son, Haruett Walsh, aged 14, and he did bis best to shield his mother, trying to burry her out of the house. They were moviug towards the back door, when Walsh fired a second shot, which just missed hia son's head. The third shot grazed Mrs Walsh's head, and the fourth entered her body, causing her death. The murderer then returned to his bedroom and put a bullet into his own brain.