The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-09-16 00:00:00

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*as held in a room connected with the infirmary.
The jury were : Messrs. Richard Pearce, foreman;
George Carpenter, Edward Stone, Robert Stone,
William White, Edward Pearce, William Stone,
Thomas Newbolt, Simon Pearce, J. Bales, Benja-
min. Stone, and Edward
_Collins.

The Coroner,on their being sworn,said the present
was no ordinary ease, and he trusted they wiitild zidt,
pay attmttloii to ling reiiort they had heard out of
doors. The case was a very painful one, and he
hoped they would pay great attention to the evi-
dence adduced before them, and return a trim
verdict according to that evidence. He might say
that there was a party in custody in that prison,
who it was supposed had canoed the death of this
poor man and it reined with the jury. to say
*bather dr dot the would have him brought
before them. He might tell them that if they
did wish it they could have him produced, but
it wan not essentially necessary. This court was
what might be called a grand jury, to hear the cause
of death,and was not like a magistrates' court simply
to hear the charge against the prisoner, and in
reference to which certain forms were laid down,
The jury,cluide4 that they wddld kite the Ft-WAN'
brehiht before them,
• William Clay, the governor of the Convict establish.
meet, deposed: I received Edwin Albert Preedy, now
present, from the Atillbenk prison on the 14th March
last, wider a sentence of three years' penal servitude,
He has been in my custody ever since thAt time: I
identify. the body ,no* lyidg iii andthef rdoui; hi the
as the body of dherles Evans, the master
shoemaker in the prison. lam not aware that the
deemed and the prisoner had any dispute or altercation
previous to the deceased receiving the wound which
caused his death.

Tom Moore, ft °maybe, in the establishment,
said I came to this prison on the 2fith. March,
1881. I kilo* the pristine+ Pre** by light, hot have
never spilken to him. I had been taking my dinner
between 12 and 1 o'clock yesterday morning in my oell.
It is customary for each prisoner to have his dinner in
his cell, and to have a knife to out his food with. After
dinner the officers collect the knives from each *ell.
Two or three convicts go round with them with trays
to receive the knives and cans to clean. Yesterday the
bell rang at one o'clock for the warders to eollect the
knives and cans, and t and another convict :Vent round
with trans to receive than) so colletted,and another went
reithd eith the deceased, and had Oollected thii knives
and cans from five cells, and we then came to the cell
of Preedy, No. 737, in No. I ward. Mr. Evens, the
deceased, unlocked the door, and the party who was
collecting the knives with inc—l don't know his name
—having received the can, put out his hand to receive
thelapife from Preedy, when the latter pushed him on
one aide, seized Mr. Evans with his left hand on the
sheulder, and struck a blow with the knife with his
right- hand in the emir close by the ear. It was done
mtimentatily, and I coed /tamely tell what
part of the neck time knife entered. I and my
companion immediately lot go the tray. I seized
Preedy round the body and pinned his arm, and
mpounpanion twisted his hand so that Preedy was
obliged to let the knife drop. Re resisted violently
and got loose from soir3 bile attereards secured by
the other warders. Mr. Evans did not speak to Preedy
in my presence, and !am not aware that any dispute
had previously take place between them. Preedy,
previous to cominittiug the offence, had been locked up
in his cell, the eama the other prisoners, for at least
an hour, for dinner.
John lAshton: I am' a convict in this prison.
I was employed yesterday, with another inmate,
in taking the knives and cans, containing their
dinners, to the prisoners, llnd after dinner in collecting
them. The cans, containing the food, are handed in to
them, and the knives are given to them under the door
before dinner. Aboutd o'clock yesterday I had been
to four or five cells with Tom Moore with the tray, and
we then came to Preedy's oell. As soon as Mr. Evans,
the warder' had unlocked the door as usual, and the
convict whose duty it was to take the knife from Preedy
held out his hand to do so, Preedy rushed past this
convict and knocked down his band; seized Mr. Evans
by the intik with his left hand, and with his right hand
struck the knife into Mr. Evans's neck, on or close to
the ear. It was not a stab, but a kind of sawing the
knife across the neck. I and Moore immediately put
down the Cray. Moore stood behind him and seized
him roand the arms, while he still had hold of Mr.
Evans, and trying to push the knife still farther into
the neck. I caught hold of Preedy's hand, and Preedy
dropped the knife. Mr. Evans ran away as soon as he
was .leased, and got to the ateps, When Mr.
Robe* another warder, came up, Preedy inside a rush
at trim and he resisted violently till he was taken into
muted; Illy other warders. I am quite sure that
while the knife was in the neck of the deceased I
saw Preedy work and twist his hand with whieh he
held the knife, lie had been locked up in his cell for
dinner fit upwards of an hour before Itt. Evans

unlocked the door. lam not aware that any dispute
had previously taken place between them—By the
prisoner: I seized hold of the prisoner's left wrist, and
in consequence he dropped the knife from his right
hand, and called "Murder." —By the jury: Mr. Evans
stood with his hand on the key in the door, and there-
fore stood sideways to Preedy. I stood close to him,
but the movement was no sadden that it was Impossible
to prevent it.
Tames Seolefield : I am a convict in this establish-
ment. I was yesterday employed, with two other
prisoners, in °enacting cans and knives from the cells,
after they had done dinner. The other two tarried the
tray. My employment was to receive the Juitves from
the prisoners. I had collected five or sit knives when
I came to prisoner's sell. I saw Mr. Evans, the
deceased, unlock Preody's door, and on its being
openedl held out rny hand for Preedy's knifc,while the
other two prisoners carried the tray. The prisoner, on
coming to his door, dropped hie can on the floor, paused
for a moment, rushed past ins, knocked the knives out
of my hand, seized bold of the deceased by the neck
with his left hand, arid "stunk" him with the knife he
held in his right hand. It was not a thrust. After the
knife was in his throat, Preedy seemed to work his
biuid about as if he was shoving the knife in farther.
The two oonvicta that were carrying the tray then
seised Preedy. lam not aware whether he had ever
had any altercation with the deceased. By the
prisoner: I had collected five or sir before I came to
your cell There is-one cell between you and me.
Thomas Roberts: lam one of the assistant warders
In this establishment. I was employed unlocking time
cells after dinner, about 5 minutes past]. o'clock yester-
day, on the opposite of No. I ward, east hall, on the
south-aide. I heard au unusual shout, and immediately
afterwards beard the dinner tray drop. I saw Preedy
with his left arm over warder Evans's left shoulder,
and his right arm was raised, but I could not see what
he was doing. I immediately ran across the ward, and
just as I bad got across Preedy had released his
bold of warder Evans. Two other prisoners were
holding him, and in his right hand he hold a knife
covered with blood. I drew my sword and struck
Preedy with the rat side on the left shoulder, one of the
oonvicte holding him twisted his hand and the knife
dropped. I saw the knife lying on the floor, near time
doqr of Preedy'a sell. I. maw Preedy properly secured,
and then returned to resume my duty. I should have
no hesitation in swearing:that the knife produced is the
seine as I saw in prisoner's hand and on the floor, stained
with blood.—By the Prisoner: It was the right
shoulder I struck with the sword.
George Trot.nan : I inn a warder at this establish-
ment, and have the charge of No. I ward, east hall, in
iu which Preedy is located. I was there yesterday
about two minutes past one. I went to unlock the stores
to get out the buoketa for collecting the slops. I heard
s peculiar noise, which attracted my attention. I
looked up the ward, and saw the prisoner Preedy
holding warder Evans by his left arm, and then ran to
his assintance. By that time prisoner* Moore and
Ashton had bold of Preedy, and an assistant warder ran
across towards Preedy with his cutlass drawn. I told
him to take care and not hurt the prisoners who had
bold of Preedy. I saw Roberts make a cut at Preedy,
who called out "murder." Preedy was then taken
away by two warders, and I then picked up the knife,
which I now produce, I saw that warder Evans had
been wounded oaths side of the neek. Not more than
two minutes elapsed from the sot being done and when
Ifpieked up the knife near the door of the cell adjoining
Preedy's. The blood on it was then in a fluid state
and quite trash. I looked round for Evans, bet he was
gone. I saw him run past me a short distance along
the ball. I saw some One come to his assistance.—By
the Jury: All the prisoners are supplied with Bath
brick with which to clean their knives.
_ .

William !lonia,;7 -I-1; one of the medical
officers in this establishment. I was called to the
deceased, Charles Evans, yesterday. I saw him on a
bed in the infirmary j he wail then dying front • wound
just below the lobe of the right eat. The deceased
could not speak, and ho breathed but two or three
times in my presenop. I tried to pour wino down his
threat, but ho amid not swallow. I examined the
wound. It was deep, and I °odd put two fingers into
it. The jugular vein, the carotid artery, and the great
nerve of the neck were severed. I knew the deceased
warder Evans, and believe his age to have been about
39.

This being the whole of the evidence, the coroner
briefly summed up the case, and stated the law of
murder to the jury. If • man was slayed accidentally,
or in an altercation with another, the manslaver was
deemed, according to the law of the land, guilty of
manslaughter, bat where there was malice aforethought,
expressed or implied—where a person deliberately
killed another, even after an altercation, if a sufficient
time bad elapsed for that person's angsr to cool, then
the manslayer was deemed guilty of wilful murder. In
this caw there was no evidence that an alternation had
existed ; and even if there had, the prisoner had been
left to himself for reflection for at least an hour. 'Under
these circuunstan es he thought the jury would find
the duty that lay before them, howeter painful it might
be, exteedingly plain.
The jri4i without any besiitation, feturneel A verdict
bf Wilful Murder against Alfred Preedy, and the
coroner made out his warrant for the prisoner's
committal to take his trial on the charge at the March
Assizes at Dorchester:

The deceased was e_line-made man, very active in his
office, and much respected by the governor and officers
of the prison, and-even by the well-disposed convicts.
We regret to say that he leaves a widow and three
children, the youngest of which is only 0 weeks old.
It Is greatly to be desired that the widow of suoh an
officer, being killed while at his post in the way the
deceased was, should receive some consideration from
government by way of pension, but we understand
there is no provision made in such a case. The
prisoner stands about Mt. lie., and has by no means the
appearance of a murderer. He appeared very collected
during the whole of examination of witnesses, and
seemed quite indifferent to his position. He will be
removed by liabeas corpus to Dorchester Gal, by
order of the Home Secretary,.

BLANDFORD.-Bstsu Pox AMONG SHEEP.
The following important letter appeared in the
Mark Lane Bxpreae on Monday :—" Having
seen in the London Daily Exprese of this day's date,
that the small-pox has appeared in a virulent form
amongat the sheep in the °minty of Dorset, we, the
undersigned breeders and Bookmasters of the
county' desire to give the moat positive and unqnall-
put oontradiction to atich a report; as, froth our
ktuitiledge and peisitioni we tan poaitively ateert
that not a aingle instant* of the dieeasie has yet
occurred in this county. (Signed)
_ _

James' Burgess, _ _
John Keynes,
Henry Fookes, George Keynes,
William Fookes, John Strange,
T. H. Mitchell, John Tory,
Henry Symonds, James Tory,
T, Shittle, Ralph Creeder,
Cherish Flcr*et; at %Wills,
John Matthews, John Parker.
George Harding,
Corn Exchange, Blandford, Sept. 6, 1862.

SUTTON WALDRON.—RISIGNATION Or ARCH-
DICACON Hurradt.d.,—This rev, gentleman having
resigned his archidiaeonal office on the grounds of
11141401 th; the Lord Bishop, of the diocese has sent
the following reply I----24`Pahloe, Salisbaryi Sept.
8, 1862. My dear Archdeacon-1 am now prepifkd
to fulfil my promise of accepting your resignation of
the Archdeaconry of Dorset. The advice which you
have received from your medical attendants has,
indeed, left you not** any choice in the matter.
Still I cannot thus comply with your request without
a very heavy heart, and I am sure that all your
brethrkn fti the iitichdeseenry, whether lay or
clerical, will appreciate and shah lily feeling: In
my last letter 1 informed you that Mr. Prebendary
Bond had, to my great disappointment, felt obliged.
on the ground of ill-health, to decline being your
inoewlior. Siuge thed I have offered the office to
ttlY Ohrinlaini Mr, Scott; and lie has, you *ill I kilo*
be glad to heaf, saopted it. The reilithlit Of eon.
lidence and affection in which he stood to My
beloved predecessor, his election by the clergy of the
archdeaconry to the proctorship, and the sanction
which your judgment has given to my own feelings
and oonvietions, determined my choice, and I am
Waded* that he will justify it. Thopgh I shall be
deprived of your co-openitidn Ai arcbdefietin; I ard
sure that I may always look to fun for affectionate
and wise oounsel, add may rely on your giving your
bishop mid his diocese the support and blessing of
your prayers. I remain, my dear Archdeacon, nith
every good wish, your affectionate friend and
brother, W. IC SAO.—The Van. Arohdesoon
Huxtable."
WIMBORNH. MrPKAL von MILTHODIST
deli-Middx.—The ,17firaborde Wesleyan Committee
have instituted a fond let the pittpolie of buildidg a
day school, in which to instruct their ehildren in the
doctrines of Methodism, &c., owing to their
expulsion from the National School The committee
met a short time since to carry into effect this
ohjest. Contribution! are earnestly requested, and
are to be sent to the ministers or committee.
Sri:crux* or POST/C COMPORTION.—A corm.
spondent says i—A few days' since, I met with the
following poem, which seems a proof of the poetic
spirit of the people here. It is quite original, never
before having been in print I
There is a lass in Crookedetreet,
Scarce sixty can she be ;
N. often tried her smile to greet,
That I es charms may see.
She has a ken waist,
So taste ed ;
It seems she n n in haste
Be chilling or nilitind.
Her band arranged, and gentle smile,
May cause poor Billy sighs;
The time
.I oft away would wile,

To see her pipe Ler eyes.
Wise to release young Joe's mind
She ever strive, to be;
She leaves poor Billy far behind
In sprightly gaiety.
'Tis true a pumpkin may look green
And bright before the sun,
But ere the blast of night seta in
Its power of life 1s done.

Just so, this Sue so feeling kind,
Her troubles had to meet,
She roots upon her pouch reclined,
Bewildered in her feet.

For fear she'd be • little rocked;
And blinkey in her mind;
The cottage door poor Billy's looked,
And she is left behind.
So hope we for her only son,
That Sue her health may meet,
And be ere Billy comes to town,
Light heeded ill her feet,

So loud hurrahs for poking Sloe,
And all the teething crew ;
We shall not yet her grizzling IMMO,
Nor dearest, "How de doo'a."
POOR OLD 808.
PA —The above song may bo gang to Rlcketty
Ramble Tune.
C.M.