Attempted Murder and Suicide – Critical Condition of The Wounded Woman.

August 1890

Sheffield Independent – Monday 18 August 1890

Critical Condition of The Wounded Woman.

Dr. Hills states that Rebecca Beckett lies in a most critical condition, and cannot be expected to survive more than a few days. The wonder is that she is alive at all, considering the enormous amount of blood she has lost and the severity of the wounds.

Mr. Gibbs, his assistant, remained with the sufferer until about eleven o’clock on Saturday night. The woman had a favourable night, and rested well. Notwithstanding her great prostration, she was conscious. The mother and sister of the deceased arrived from Norfolk yesterday. As may be expected, they are in great distress. They stated that until the last week they had periodical letters from the deceased, and they had no suspicion that he was not comfortable and happy. They appear most respectable persons, and much sympathy is expressed towards them in their great trouble.

The body of the deceased lay in a carriage shed contiguous to the Star Inn, and was covered with a rug. The deceased — rather slender, and only about 5 feet 7 inches in stature— was well dressed. The spot where the fatal ballet penetrated was easy to see. Crowds of persons collected near the inn and the house where the wounded woman lay during the day, but they were very orderly.

As may be conceived, the news quickly travelled to Mexbro’, Denaby, and the neighbouring townships. The sad occurrence was referred to in several places of worship yesterday.