Documents relating to Arnold Vowles

Girl's Story of Murderous Assault.
Two Revolver Shots.

The Elland police have in custody Arnold Vowles age 21 of Ash Grove Avenue, Siddal, Halifax for an alleged murderous assault on his sweetheart, a young woman at about the same age, Priscilla Milner, Lower Hope Street, Halifax. The alleged attack was in a field on the borders of Elland boundary and within easy reach of Halifax Zoo. It is a very lonely spot.

The young couple were seen in each other's company on Saturday night and together went along a path leading to a field.

The young woman said that after an altercation she felt something sharp at her throat and found blood issuing from a wound there. Immediately afterwards, she states, her sweetheart produced a revolver and fired two shots, but neither of the bullets struck her. After a struggle she succeeded in obtaining possession of the revolver and this was handed over to the police.

After this he made off, and the young woman managed, though nearly exhausted, to reach the house of John Clarke in Parkgate West and relate her story. She was a pitiable sight through loss of blood.

The police searched the countryside for hours for Vowles who was arrested yesterday.

Vowles had evidently turned the revolver on himself, for there was a large wound on his head.

The young woman was medically attended, and is now at the house of Vowles's parents.

7th December 1909. Sentence: Own recognisances and 1 surety each £25 for judgement, if called upon