The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-05-12 00:00:00

THE WAY OF DEATH.

WIFE MURDER IN MiNCIIIIETZIL-A horrible muniet
was committed here on Wednesday. A m•n named
Smith, a labourer, living in New Town, had, it appears,
been drinking, and while in that state he quarrelled
with his wife. Ile armed himselt with the poker, and
beat her with it until she died. Tbe unfortunate victim
was shockingly mangled about the head. Smith was
immediately apprehended, and broUght before the
maeistrates. _ _

The body of a man was taken out of the River on
Monday who bad evidently committed suicide in •
deliberate manner, having filled his pockets with land,
and fastened his bands in front of him, A rumour got
abroad that this was the man who murdered Emma
Jackson at the brothel in St. Giles's. There is some
resemblance in the dross, height, and beard of the man
a. he was observed by those who saw him with the
girl on the morning of the murder : but considering
that the body had been more than • week in the water
the evidence must necessarily be uncertain. Pains had
been taken by the suicide before drowning himself to
deatroy all traces of his identity.
THR MURDER NEAR RENNIN BAT.—On Monday
Alfred Alger was placed at the bat of the county police.
court, Canterbury, charged with the wilful munier of
Richard Steed, at Mamie, • short distance from Herne
Bay, on Saturday evening. The evidence of deceased's'
widow went to show that the prisoner owed her husband
sonic money, for which he was summoned to the county
court ; that the prisoner came to deceased and offered a
portion, which was refused ; and that he left,
threatening to "do for her husband before many
weeks." Other witnesses deposed to having seen
the prisoner and deceased together on the Saturday
evening of the murder. Superintendent Walker and
police-sergeant Gower deposed to having searched
prisoner's house, where they found a pair of boots very
much matted with blood, also a pair of trousers
and a vest, both of which bore mark, of blood. Mr.
Jamieeon, a surgeon, was of opinion that the wounds on
deceased's face might have been caused by the boots
produced. The cheek bones and upper jaw, were
smashed in, and the face had evidently been violently
stamped on. There were small indents on the face
which might have been made by the nails of a pair of
boots. A ploughshare marked with blood was found in
a field ohne to where the body was found; and Mr.
Jamieson, after careful examination, expressed his de- '
aided opinion that the deceased's skull bad been broken
in by the share, and then the boots were brought into
use, and the wounda on the face indicted. Having been
cautioned, and asked if he had anything to say in answer
to the charge, the prisoner said, •I can only my what I
told the superintendent. You say I am charged with wil-
fully murdering Richard Steed. That is a fearful crime, and
one lam not guilty of. I started with Richard Steed for
Henn Ray. We went along the footpath towards Heath
about 300 or 400 yards. Then I changed my direction,
and took the loft road. Steed going over the stile and
along the hedge and the footpath to the right of the one
I was in. I kept in my direction till I came out at the
forge. I went to the shop for some bread, and then
went straight home, and did not come out after, except
into the yard. When there my neighbour said Steed
had met with an accident. I told him where I left
Steed. " did not bear of hi/death till between eight and
nine on Sunday morning." The chairman: It is our
duty to commit you for a jury to decide whether you
AnD guilty or not The prisoner was then removed and
conveyed to St. Auguetine's GraoL