The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-08-21 00:00:00

EXECUTION OF TIIE MACCLESFIELD
MURDERER.

On Menday morning at eight o'clock, Harry Leigh.
weaver, of Macclesfield, was executed within the precincts
of Chester Castle, for the murder of Alice Ann Halton,
eight years of age, at Sutton, near Macclesfield, on the
list of March. It will be remembered that the child's
corpse was found floating in the canal at Sutton. She
hail been sent lay her mother to fetch her wages from the
mill, and it was clearly proved that on her way home she
WWI met by the prisoner. who led her to the canal side
and robbed her, anal then threw her into the canal, as he
states in his confession "left her to drown." Since his
condemnation he has been very penitent for his crime, and
thoroughly resi,med to his fate.
The procession from the condemned cell started a few
minutes after eight o'clock, the prisoner walking very
firmly, and placing !limed( bolt upright under the do:s
without a tremor. Marwood adjusted the rope, step
behind the culprit, and pulled a lever, and the wretched
man, who was given a tremendous at, op of seven feet, died
almost instantaneously, the only symptom', of life being
two convulsive movements of the holy.
The circumstances of the murder for which Harry Leigh
was executed on Monday morning will not have been for-
gotten. Leigh was 23 years of age at the time of the
murder and was by trade a weaver, residing at Mamie,.
fiebi. Ile appears to have been on some sort of terms of
intimacy with the mother of the child whom he murdered,
Alice Ann Halton, who was eight years old. At the trial,
which took place on Wednesday. July 25th, at the Chester
/twig," the mother, Emily Halton. a widow, gave evidence
to the effect that on the Zird of March, about 5.30, she
was at the prisoner's hoose, and in the prisoner's presence
she said, referring to her wagte, "I have not got my
money to night: I have to send my little girl just after
ten o'elock tomorrow morning to Mr. Hanford'. mill."
Thie statement seemed to make a strong impression on the
prisoner's mind, and, on the following morning he
attempted by various devices to obtain possession of the
money, which only amounted to twelve shillings and
threepenee. before Mrs. Halton bad the opportunity of
sending little Alice for it. These efforts, however. failed
completely. In the meantime however, on the Saturday
morning in question Mrs. Ilalton sent her daughter to Mr.
Bamford's mill, giving her a brown porno with a brass
clasp to take with her. The child reached the mill in
safety, and received from the manager the sum due in the
shape of four half crowns, a two shilling piece, and three
pennies. The prisoner appears to have kept watch for the
child's arrival. He saw her go into the mill and come out
again, Kral no doubt concleded that she had got the money
which he coveted. Having some slight acquaintance with
her he had no difficulty in persuading her to take a walk
with him. Several witnesses saw the two together walk-
ing altng the canal bank. Alice Ann Halton was never
again seen alive. A blacksmith who was walking along
the towing path during that afternoon, saw a basket
against a wall. Stooping to pick it up, he saw the dead
body of the child in the water. Assintance came to hand,
and it was taken out anal removed. Meanwhile, however,
the mother missed her daughter, and becoming somewhat
alarmed went to the mill to inquire on the subject. There
she heard the story of the two attempts whch Leigh had
made to get the money. She thereupon proceeded to his
house and taxed him with it. He declared he knew nothing
about it, and on saying that she would go to the police
he remarked, "I would if I were you." Almost Immediately
attar she heard of the dead body of a child being found in
the canal, and, going to look at the body, she had no
difficulty in identifying her daughter. An important part
of the case turned on the fact that Leigh turned up at
home with the exact coins in nember and description
which had been paid to the girl as her mother's wages.
When charged with murder, he said. "I know nothinE
about it ;" and, after a pause, "1 shall reserve my defence.
The trial before Mr. Justice Bramwell occupied less time
than is usual in such cases. The evidence was so clear
that no substantial defenc.e could be made, and half-an.
hour after the s 1111 l ming.up the jury returned • verdict of
"Guilty." The Judge, who expressed his approval of the
verdict, at once sentenced him to death, and he was
removed. Sines his conviction Leigh conducted himself
in a truly penitent manner. Unlike Bannister, the lent
convicted murderer in Chester Castle, whose behaviour
was that of a restless wild beast in a cage, Leigh was
singularly quiet in his demeanor, and he made a full con-
fession of his crime. Leigh wrote a letter, asking forgive-
ness, to the mother of the murdered girl, and received in
reply a lett -r, written on behalf of Mrs. Halton by the
Rev. Mr. Hurst, of Horcinfleld, extending the forgiveness
asked for. He also wrote to his father and stepmother a
letter, in which he regretted his wicked conduct, expressed
a hope of after-forgiveness, and asking them, his wife,
and a cousin named Ellen Goulden, to visit him ow
Thursday last. The letter contained quotations from
several hymns, the most prominent of which was the one
beginning—
" In the hour of trial,
Jesus, pray for me."
The four referred to, with Mr. James Wright, of Bolling-
ton, a friend of Leigh's, and the Rev. J. M. Kilner, the
gaol chsplain, visited the condemned man on Thursday,
and this final interview was of the most painful descrip-
tion. The prieoner is a mend sonic intellectual capacity,
and since his incarceration his appearance has changed
from that of • man living a dissolute and irregular life to
that of a thoughtful and clever one. It was commonly
remarked at his trial that he "looked like • school-
master." The effects of being subjected to regular habits
of living have probably tended to make him eat well and
sleep soundly, while yet subjected to great emotions of
mind. He has been most attentive to the administrations
of the chaplain since his conviction. No efforts were made
for a reprieve, and he was executed under circumstances
mentioned above.

Two Orders in Council with reference to the pre-
cautions to be taken to prevent the further introduction
into this country of the Colorado beetle were published
lit a supplement to the London Gazette. By the first
'order, which will come into effect on the 31ist inst., it is
provided that it shall be illegal to land potato haulm,
leaves or stalks brought from the United States of
America, Canada, or Germany. The second order
provides, "If the owner of, or any person having
under his charge, any crops of potatoes, or other crop,
or vegetable, or substance, finds, or knows to be found
thereon the Colorado beetle, in any stage of existence
he shall s ith all practical speed give notice of the fact
of the same being so found to a constable of the police
establishment for the place where the same is found.
The constable shall forthwith give notice thereof to the
local authority; and the local authority shall forth-
with give notice thereof by telegraph to the Privy - _ --4.-- -
The head mastership of Ling lidward VI. Grammar
Council." It is also made illegal to sell or keep in any
School at Stafford, vacant-by the resignation of the Rev,
stage of existence any living specimen of the beetle. J. Chalmers, has been conferred upon the Rev. it. J.
A penalty not exceeeing 1:10 is attached to a breach of Ferrier, sub-master of Norwich School, and late scholar of
the regulation. Merton College, Oxford.
A Colorado beetle was found on Wednesday A couple of women quarrelled at Wigan and one threw
morning in a travelling mail-sorting carriage by the sorue boiling water over the other. The one assaulted was
poet.nffice eonplo.w4 engaged in sorting the Cape mail holding an infant in her arms, and it has since died from
bets een Plymouth and BristoL The officials believe ths,,sca4l.s.keTriiinegasVilcakotlhaasrmbeennecoumtrinhittrtli fonremu.urdseirr.
however, that the beetle did not arrive in this country "
Christopher Parsons, shile as.sisting one of the men in a
, from the Cape, hut with the American mails. The field with a restive horse, struck it with a stick on its
beetle KRA taken very securely on to London by the hindquarters, saying at the time. "I'll teach it to run
1
officer in charge of the mail, and will be handed over away before the day is over," when the horse kicked
to the officers of the Fri ,y Council. violently, arid struck Mr. Parsons on the head, fracturing
the skull. Death speedily ensued.
THE TRAFYIC IN COLORADO BEETLE.S. Firs. EPILEPTIC Firs on FALLING SICKNESS. A
When the Glasgow post-office authorities were this certain method of cure has been discovered for this dig.
week sorting the mail from America, they came upon treasing complaint by a physician, who is desirous that
a sample parcel containing a tin canister perforated at all sufferers may benefit from this providential discovery;
the top. rion examination the canister was found it is nafLerrallfoozahnertomfail, &
eans ;:,1;lvewill cure the
Full
tarhtogees
teeming with living and dead Colorado beetles and "se
ars
will be sent by post to any pinion free of charge—lddreas :
locusts. They put the living to death, and despatched Mr. WiLuses,le, Oxford Terrace, Ilvde Park, London.
the whole sample to the London postal authorities. Itscourr s Paws nix v. —The marked superiority of
The parcel was addressed to a person in Hawick. this Laundry Blue over all others, and the quick apprecia
AGRICULTURE IN IRELAND. ttion of its merits by the public has been attended by
he usual results, viz., a flood of imikations : the
The agricultural statistics of Ireland for the present merit of the latter mainly consists in the ingenuity
year axe published. The total acreage under all crops exerted, not simply in imitating the square shape hut
this year is 5,265,290 acres, being an increase in the making the general appearance of the wrappers resemble
extent under crops over last year of 58,684 acres. It that of the genuine article. The Manufacturers beg there-
appears that, compared with 1876, the increase in the 'foes to caution all buyers to sae " Reckitt's Paris Blue" as
acreage under wheat is 23,619 acres, barley 5,109 acres esr_h nalcet.
hers and rye 1,934 acres, mangold wurtzel and beet PACKET TEAR IN PERFECTION. POLAND, ROBERTSON
& Ces PURE TEAS, Guarsnted by Gobernsnewg Istapeetion
' root 129 acres, cabbage 5,839 acres, and vetches and can be obtained ai air-tight packets in quantities ranting
rape 4,561 ; meadow and clover increased by 64,040 from Two Ounces to One Pound, of most respectable ,
acres. In oats there is a decrease of 15,468 acres, Grocers, Chemists, Bakers, Confectioners, Stationers and '
beans and peas, 2,136 acres, potatoes 9,194 acres, others, in all towns and villages throughont the United
turnips 8,4.36 acres, and carrots, parsnips, and other Kingdom, at price:, from ra. per lb. and upwards. The
The
green crops 1,738 acres; flax decreased by 9,576 acres. public are
Robertson & Co 's Pureu'Teas, which to
agtarantired to be
The returns of live stock for 1877, when compared unadulterated. An 8 lb. Tin of pure instant carriage paid to
with 1876, snow an increase in the number of horses any Railway Station in the United Kingdom on receipt of
and mules of 18,578, eases of 1,577, pigs of 42,957. and Post Office Order. For particulars of agency apply to the
goats of 2,746; and a decrease in cattle of 1.21,413, in London Warehouses, Curtain Road, E.C.
sheep of 19,979, and in poultry of 68,974. To INCREASE YOUR INCOME.— Any one may
HARVEST PROSPECTS IN SUPTOLE. materially effect this by undertaking an Agency for
1 THE Diic.ren's Ptiasf Tea. COedinr:teNT. distribution
Tesinislprb.
Fine weather for the harvest continues in Suffolk.
On light land round Ipswich the farmers complain i and delicious, ready or immediate - ,
tilb , and 1-11 b. sealed Packets. No Llamas is
that the wheat crop turns out smaller in compass than
IRiUMED. Once used, always used. For
.r4sepeZ
was expected, but on heavy land there will be a fair I
, to London Offices, 8, Red Lion Court, Cannon
though not heavy crop. The wheat yield will be under
' E.C. Agent in STURMINSTER Nswrox, T. Hawgigs •
the average on most farms, and very bad on some. lii vr .--,
ILLINGHAM, J. Dais; and Drapers in IDOSi
Barleys promise better.
Tows and Villiwes.n
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. HOLLOWAT's PlLLAR—Stomach, Liver, and Bowels.
In no part of the year is the benefit to be derived ; There is nothing hurtful in the composition . ofdeitilicae:
from a liberal application of water and liquid manure punnsftrtiritioPinlis-4igiethyilftptharovt can injure the most
pe te mquicken the
more apparent than at present. As a general rule
energies of the stomach arid ltlver, an the d
regulate the bowels,
we have at this season to contend with a dry and parch- They thus become the surest ieguarde against
lug atmosphere, which in the process of elaboration, or indigestion, and the rudest promoters of the bod_e.
the pumping up, or perhaps ascent of the sap, very growth and the mind's developement Holloway's Pills
soon exhausts any supply the roots are able to ohtain, exert a wholesome alterative and tonic action on every
and they thus become dependant upon an artificial internal organ, and they regulate every disordered or
supply., and this should be supplied to all growing debilitated function. They are nagratal,_ and tisseeare,
efficient purifiers pu....rilers_
_._and
__ooreeet4..
_VOL Yew %oh=
crops in as liberal a manner as the amount of labour
and conveniences at command will permit, either with rt:',ld"'Zie'cwiinartrrr heLir arrialie
strong li aid manure from the tank, and' water whale fr.e when thews Al aniedkismis, aid wrater,ths
y, or constantly with a highly Muted solo. ngly taken by invalids.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE.
num To ALL.
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THE MARVEL OF THE WORLD,
ANT) GREATEST WONDER OP THE AGE.
COLN ER'S ECLECTIC REMEDIES.
PREPARED ST
M ADAME JANE COLMER
DOCTOR OF MEDICINE,
Of the AMERICAN UNIVERSITY,
PHILADELPHIA,
OILN4D-HOUSIS DISPRNSARY.
MIDDLE-STREET, YEOVIL.
FOR THE CURE OF SCROFULA AND DISEASES
OF THE SKIN.
Comma** TIRILIII, PeRIFYINa Litt PIMA. for the cure 02
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cart of the body, fistula, pilee, rheumat em, and other impuri-
tke of the blood, if of twenty years' etaiding. The inventor
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afflicted a remedy that can be relied on at a specific. Tham
area pure vegetable extract, end form an admirable areogth.
@nee of the frame and purifier of the blood: Sold in boxer., Is
ty and St 9d.
Cotssel SOrrtaert's r 0.111,111 oft UNtYRILBAL
gore remedy for wound, of every demoription will he found in
the uee of thie celebrated ointment, topecially the king's evil,
Inflairmatfons, borne, meld*, erystnelm, idiot and fistula, cute,
I,rulete, chilblain., acrbutie eruption., pimple. on the face,
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°anemone humour.. lac_ and It le a certain core for ulcer.
toed *ore lege, if of 20 years nanding. It is prepared only by
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Advice °natl. every Friday, and every morning and even•
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NB.—All ease. of Tapeworm cured with one doer of
(Mime?. Vegetable Worm Medicine within three hours after
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all cam. he done.
Dr. JANE COLMER, In tendering her einoere thank, for the
horal patronage the has hitherto received, feels assured that
he need, only to refer to the miu.7, marked and welhknown
rater whi,h the haa carried to a succereful Inoue during the Mg
JO years, in the immediate neighbourhood of her home prectice,
to convince the public of the extmord nary baleamle porn
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may be consrulted at the following places
Portman'. Arm. Inn, Salieburyetreet, Stron
Thur.day in each month.
BILMPORT, ()hence Inn, Find Wednesday in each month.
Dommenno., Plinne of Feathers Inn, First end Third Sato/
day In each month.
Ostaanoriar. Red Lion Hotel, last Monday in each month.
SLUMMY. tkirSCen. Head Inn, first Tunday in each month.
•„• Patients attended at their own residences in Town of
Oountry, if required. Profemional virile charged for according
to diataace. Country patients correaponded with on receipt
of a stamped directed envelope. and Medicine. met carefully
packed to any part of the Kingdom.
All letters and Poet-office Order, to be rent to Dr. J•NP
Omni, Oileadbous.: Dispensary. Middleatrest, Yeovil.
Teeth carefully extracted.
Reed the Bill of Copies of Te.timonialm, which may he had
Greta& .