The Ashburton Tragedy.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 644, 8 August 1891, Page 3

The Ashburton Tragedy.

A DREADFUL AFFAIR. The following details are to hand concerning the above tragedy Albert Edward Moss was charged st the Magistrate’s Court with usaanlting hi« wife, with intent to murder her, cn July ?. The accused had a miraculous recovery from the terrible wound in his throat, but was still bandaged and looking very pale. The wife's wounds are healed, bnt the scars remain on the face and neck, and she has lost the use of two fingers. Accused sat with bis face covered in h's hands, almost motionless, throughout the hearing. The Court was densely crowded with those expecting to bear eeneatioocl disclosures or bcandal, but they were disappointed in their tporbid desires, Mrs Moss, wife of accused, in her evidence said she bad known accused from childhood, and was engaged in England to him. She came to New Zealand at bis request to marry him, and they were married in Christchurch and came the same day to Ashburton where a house was ready prepared for them. All went well up to July 2. when financial diffi Suitleo appeared, and the bailiff was put in, but left next day. Accused wks much upset. 0n the fourth he rose and lit the fire as usual and brought witness up a cup of cocoa to bed. The dregs were gritty, and she wss very ill afterwards wilb pain in the stomach, and became weak, occasionally vomiting on that jjr.d tbs next day. Her hueband was much concerned, and also troubled about money On Bunday she spoke to her husband about (be coeoa, saying she felt as if she had been poisoned. He said, “Oh no; I know the Symptoms quite well.” On Tuesday morning accused rose first. When he was shaving, witness came into the bedroom, and he passed the razor over her face, and afterwards shaved himself. At breakfast • he seemed all right. He asked for money, and she gave him her puree, containing a few shillings. He went out, returning in a few minutes. He took a tomahawk and broke some coal, felt the edge, and then With both hands raised the tomahawk and struck her three blows bn the head, each cutting It. She seised his hand, and he dropped the axe and took a razor from bis

pocket and attempted to cut her throat. He cut her neck and cheek. She caught hold of the razor and cut her fingers. She got free and ran out. Looking back she saw him cutting his throat. She was taken to the hospital, where she was still. It was more than a week before the occurrence that her husband brought home a box of Rough on Rats. She had no knowledge of the posible use he could have for prussic acid or a revolver.

In cross-examination, witness said that when her husband was at school he was nervous, and had many peculiar and purposeless actions. He had arranged for her to come out by several different steamers, altering the date from time to time. In his letters he referred to sending her money, and epoke as if he had command of money. He had had brain fever, and was extremely excited on meeting her after her arrival and conld not sleep. He said he had paid for the furniture from invested money, and had funds in hand. She had not been able to discover any, and believed the statement was a delusion. Until the bailiff came they were very happy, her husband being kind and thoughtful and cheerful. Afterwards he underwent a marked change. He said he had got money in Christchurch to pay the bailiff. Before attacking her be made threatening grimaces, and burst out into fits of laughter. She could no reason for the attack beyond that his mind was affected, and that he did not know what he was doing. To the Bench : She was nervous about her personal safety the night before. Mrs Lane gave evidence. She saw Mrs Moss while ill from supposed poisoning. The accused was very excited, and anxious to know whether his wife would die. *

A chemist proved the sale of rough on rate to accused, and his assistant gave evidence of accused trying to purchase prussic acid. An ironmonger’s salesman gave evidence of accused wanting to buy a revolver on the morning of the occurrence. Moritz Friedlander, accused’s employer, deposed to accused’s restlessness a week before the occurrence. At the end of the week he was troubled about some cheques, which weighed on accused’s mind. Salek, a pawnbroker, said accused had told him his whole position, and said that if he was so*d up he could not stand the disgrace, and neither he nor his wife would live to see it. He wou’d never let his wife see what he was. He wanted a loan of money, which witness would not give. AU his wild talk was caused by an indebtedness of about £5O. The police evidence was to the effect that accused on the way to the hospital wrote on the side of the express waggon : — “ Robbed; really swindled. I have lost all my money, £lB5. Where is my wife. A man swindled me.” The constable who had charge of accused In the hos pital said that some days after the oo* currence the accused said he remembered his wife's band raised. He had a razor in his hand at the time. He remembered nothing else till he was turned over on his back, and he heard somebody gay “ He dead,” and the doctor “ There’s very little hope of him.” When charged the accused said “ not of my malice aforethought.” He also said it was a pity somebody had not interfered when the screams were heard. He could not understand how the affair had arisen. He and hi? wife had gone to school together, and they never had a cross word. Accused some times spoke of having money out at interest, about £lOO, He spoke very affectionately of his wife, The medical evidence described Mrs Moss’ injuries. The witnesses could not understand how the scu’l escaped being smashed. One doctor considered the symptoms described as sufficient to give rise to a suspicion of insanity. The hospital surgeon was thoroughly convinced that Moss was not sa;ie when he committed the deed, though sane now. He was a man of unstable mind, and not responsible for his actions when he committed the act, He was urfit to be at large, as the least excitement would unhinge his mind. The ebook to Mrs Moss was very severe, but she was a brave woman, and the consequences were less serious than might have been expected. Accused was able to stand his trial now, Accused’s counsel offered no evidence, and Moss was committed for trial at the Supreme Court at Christchurch on August 10th,