Shocking Tragedy.
(By Telegraph.)
WESTPORT, Aeeil 15,
David Lawton, a coal miner, working at Dcnniston, went to bed on Saturday night with his wife. He awoke about midnight, rose from bis bed, and obtaining a pick, struck her, while she was asleep, three or four heavy blows with it, and fractured her skull. Lawton then gave himself into the custody of the police. Shortly afterwards he wandered in his mind, and to-day was given sleeping draughts, and had morphia injected into his arm. In consequence of want of sleep and a diseased brain these opiates overcame him, and he now lies unconscious. Tbe unfortunate woman also lies in a similar state, and it is doubtful whether either will recover. Lawton has been twice charged with lunacy here, once a few weeks ago. One doctor certified to his insanity. The other said that the man was sane. He was therefore set at liberty. Lawton says that something impelled him to kill his wife, and that he got up, obtained a pick head, and struck her while she was asleep three or four blows on the head, gave one scream only. There are no hopes of the woman’s recovery. There are said to have been motives of jealousy in the man’s mind. Lawton was given a sleeping draught and morphia yesterday, and the effect upon him is very bad; in fact it is feared that ho may succumb.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SCANT18890416.2.11
Bibliographic details
South Canterbury Times, Issue 4983, 16 April 1889, Page 2
Word Count
236Shocking Tragedy. South Canterbury Times, Issue 4983, 16 April 1889, Page 2
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.