Terrible Tragedy.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 197, 27 July 1883, Page 2

Terrible Tragedy.

ATTEMPED MURDER IN A RAILWAY CARKIAXJE. fPer Mail Steamer. J An attempt was made m the carriage of a train running from Calais to Paris co murder and rob the Rev; Mr. Witchborne, an s English clergyman* The latter was alone m a compartment of the carriage, with the exception ot a well-dressed mail, Who is supposed to have got on the train at Boulogne, and who occupied a seat ia the same compartment with him. The' clerj^man had fallen asleep, and when about ten miles from Amiens he yras aroused by a severe blow on the'beaJlwhh a chisel. Before he; had time to grapple with his assailant he received five other wounds from which the bipod flowed copiously. 'The assasi n opened the door and tried to push the i ilergyman out while the train was runni lg at fall speed. A thril'ing struggle f( r life then ensued, resnlting m the clei gyman being violently thrown from the carriage. In his fall he managed to grasp the footboard, and succeeded,, although, streaming with blood and nearly fainting, ;in attracting the attention of the occupants of the neighbonrin^compartment, where there were several English gentlemen. The would-be assasin, fearing detection, jumped from the train when passing the station at Rinancourt. The station-? master saw him, and rarf after him, After an exjitin^hase^opme np to as; he was quietly * washing the bloud from nis face and hands at the village pump. On finding himself discovered, hel drew a revolver and firing at his own 1 head, inflicted r a. painful wound. The motive p of the attempted inurder, wasj robbery. ,? ne assassin was at first supptosed the son of an English colonel, but he turns oat to be an architectjnamed Ouoroboy. The assassin is m a critical condition, but his [ viotim is recovering. - r -,■•. < ■>_