Double Tragedy in Memphis (1889)
A double tragedy, horrible in its details, was committed at Memphis, Tenn., the murderer and the suicide being Frank BRENISH, and the victim his wife. BRENISH’s wife left him some time ago because of his failure to support her and their two children. BRENISH met his wife on the street and requested her to return home with him. She refused, and grabbing her by the hair, he pulled her head over backward, and, with a large butcher knife, cut her throat from ear to ear. She died within a few minutes. BRENISH then slashed at his own throat, causing a wound from which he will probably die. He wrote a statement declaring that his wife was untrue to him and that he had nothing to live for.
Source: Roanoke Beacon, 19 July 1889. Available online at digitalnc.org.