A SMOCKING TRAGEDY.
FATHER BRUTALLY ATTACKS HIB WIFE AND SON. AND THEN A 1 TEMPTS SUICIDE. (Received Last Night, 8.5.") o'clock.) SYDNEY, Sept. 22. A shocking tragedy is reported from Crow'B Nest. The son of Mackay Woodruff, a well-known city fire insurance adjuster, was awakened by a stunning blow on the head. He Tound his father standiHg over his bed with a% axe in hi§. hand. After a deeperate struggle, the son secured the axe and pushed his father into an adjoining room, locking tKe door. Staggering info his mother's room, the son found her in bed unconscious, with a large wound in the head. As a last effort, he telephoned for a doctor. On the arrival of the police, they discovered Woodruff's room empty, and splashed with blood. Woodruff was lying outside the window in a nude state.' with his throat cut, hie wrists and legs terribly gashed, and raving wildly. All the victims have been removed to the hospital, and are in a serious condition. The Woodruffs had spent the week end at the mountains returning oh Sunday night. The reason for the crime is unaccountable. It is supposed that Woodruff was seized with a sudden fit of madness. The wife and son were struck with the back of the axe, and their skulls fractured.
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Bibliographic details
Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 23 September 1913, Page 5
Word Count
217A SMOCKING TRAGEDY. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 23 September 1913, Page 5
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