The Melbourne Baby Murders.

Southland Times, Issue 12772, 4 December 1893, Page 2

The Melbourne Baby Murders.

In a recent London paper some particulars are given concerning the woman Mrs Rudolph Knorr, who has been convicted in Melbourne on a charge of murdering an infant at Brunswick. It appears that she is the daughter of most respectable tradespeople, who carry on business in the West End. Her name previous to marriage was Frances Thwaites. Early in 1887 she left her home in the company of a servant, and it was ultimately discovered that she had been staying with a soldier. She used frequently to leave home for several days together, her whereabouts being unknown to her relatives. She was at this period eighteen years of age, and is spoken of as a girl of most prepossessing appearance. Several ladies interested themselves in her, with the result that she was placed in a home in Chelsea for the reformation of women. After remaining there a few weeks, she returned home, and was shortly afterwards sent by her parents to Australia. From letters which she sent home it was surmised that she was doing well, and that the change had in every way been a beneficial one for her. Letters announcing her marriage were also received, and interesting communications from her husband led her parents to believe that she had made a most suitable match. Ou the receipt of the news of her marriage, her parents forwarded to her a large amount of clothing as a wedding gift. As may easily be imagined, her parents, for whom intense sympathy is felt, are heart-brokeu with the latest news concerning their daughter. While her conduct in Chelsea was bad, it could never be proved that she ever led an openly immoral life.