A DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2631, 17 September 1902, Page 20

A DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.

TWO MURDERS AND A SUICIDE. SYDNEY, September 15. A commercial traveller named Peadon, residing at Hurstville, murderously attacked his family, killing an infant and dangerously wounding several of the children. Peadon then committed suicide. (Another of Peadon's children — a girl seven years old — ,has succumbed. A third is in a serious condition. The throats of these were cut. Two others and the wife are suffering from wounds in their heads inflicted with a bed-key. The sixth child escaped and gave the alarm. Peadon Mssed his wife and children on retiring on Sunday night. He slept with one of the boys, apart from his wife. During the night f=he heard him moving, and found him lying in bed dressed. He told her he had taken medicine. Later he visited his wife's room, and, finding her awake, retiied. She fell asleep and was aroused by blows on the head. She rolled on the floor and pretended to be dead. The boy came to his mother's assistance, when Peadon felled him, and then went 'to the girls' room. The wife seized the I opportunity to escape. When assistance arrived Peadon was | found shot through the head, grasping a- razor and a revolver. The baby was dead and another child was dying, while the others were severely wounded. The family lived happily and were in good circumstances. It is stated that Peadon lost heavily at the Randwick races.

■ ( The " Microbe," bringing cough and cold, Has now a (buay season, And bound to get a lasting hold Unless we list to reason. Neglect may bring us to the grave, That's positive and sure, But e^e.y danger we can brave