The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-12-03 00:00:00

ANOTHEIL DREADFUL MURDER AT
A LIAR:MDT.

Before the mingled horror and indignation awakened
by the lest lactated military tragedies has had time to
subside—while Sergi act .Major Kennedy lies on his bed
of agony, his life tn:inblia. on the Indent:a—and at a
time ..Inn it was thought the example made at Corfu
would have I.a 1 a salutary effect in checking the
ferocity of crime which now appears so unhappily pre-
valent in the army, the camp of Aldershot has again
been startled by another dreadful murder, so lincoln.
Irusj'n iii its savageness, so unprovoked by any ex-
traneous circumstancia, and exhibiting in its mist-
slim so much blisel-thirstineui of purpose, Diet, it
c mind be accounted for by any preconceived notions of
the nature of wan or the ordinary incentives to crime.
'lnc scene of the tragedy is the We'd Block, Pernicnent
thirmks, where the i6tll Ilighlauders have been guar-
teied for some time— a regiment whose godliest actions !
and exemplary behaviour up to the present time have
challenged the admiration of the whole camp. From
information gathered on the spot, it appears that on
Piaturday ev. Mug, at a quarter past eight o'clock, Sir.
gvant John Dixon and C•irporal William Campbell, the
Orilerly.Sergearit awl Corporal of No. 3 Company, pro.
cceded to call the roll of the compaey at tattoo in the
usual way, and Liu entering No. 11 room • private was ,
holding the light, the corporal calling the roll, and the
sergeant noting the names of the absentees. While
thus engaged. Private Tiannan Jacksen took his ride
from the rack, awl in an instant dis. barged it at the
, sergeant. Tao ball passed in at the right shoulder
blade of the unfortunate snan, passed through Isis
body diagonally, and made its exit at the left
breast. It then entered the right shoulder of
the corporal, which it paused through, and nest went
through a partition into the non-Commissioned officers'
bunk, strnek against thee's) osite wall, when it Battened
awl rebounded. P.mr Dixon turned partly round and
fell forward cii his face, and almost in an inetant ccauel
to vaist. The only words lie ejeculated were " Who did
to which Jackson replied, "1 did it, olil boy." As
soon as the report of the ride was heard Private Win.
Marshall and Alexander Milligan rushed upon Jackson
and secured him, and with the aulistance of some others
conveyed hint to the guanl-rown. Ile was there placed
in the strimprnoin with another prisoner, who was run-
hind for being drunk, the sergeant uuf the guard not
then knowing the crime. Directly aiterwanls Ater:4ll%ll
informed the sergeant that Jackson wan charged with
1111 l nler, and en tie. aergeant entering the cell fur the
purpose of handcufliing I ,he found that the prisoner
hail made an ut tempt to strangle the drunken mon, and
said lie Cu rti titt iy tvinild have murdered him hut for the
sergeanCii entrance. While the irona were being put on
Is said to Marshall (who being employed at ride instrue.
lion, was always present in the rooni when tlie prisoner
was dismissed irons drill), that had the romn been clear
Its intention was to load ten rifles and fire them at the
reeinient on parade.
I lie ride No. 2.12, belonging to Jackson, was handed Si
Mr. Superintendent Howard. It was found to have an
exploited cap on, and appeared to have btrn revolt!),
discharged. A heue packet of ammunition was then
handed to Mr. Howard, One round of which was deli•
eient. The cover of this packet bore the name of
Private D. sluitroe. Those ordain, then accompanied
Mr. li.ward to the guard-room. There the prisoner
was brought f the cull where he was *imbued,
hand:LIMA, and dressed only in his tartan trousers and
shirt, Ile is a light-haired, strong. broadoiet, beardless
youth, about five feet six inches in height, mid bore •
Carate`a bravado sort of aspect, as lie was broultlit forth
from the guard-room. Ile Mla lad out by the pestle°, one
on each side, and the coloucl sent an escort of twelve
men of the guanl, together with the sergeant-major, to
render assistance in case of need. Under this strong
i.scurt of civil and military power, the pridoner was con-
veyed to the police station. There was found on the
prisimer a snap cap situ percussion cap. It appears
Sisal previous to the occurrence Ito had been his canteen,
and was heard by Private Andrew Cormick to say that
lie will have some one's life that eight. While being
erlied in the cell of the regimental guard room lie said
he would shoot all the—. When charged at the indict
, station with murder he manifested the utilised initiffe-
ri.nce, end said, "Sire, it won't snake any difference to
ins; not a bit." It is • noticeable fact that when the
, report of the ride was heard, a man who was atauding
! iii.k.i.le the barracks was observed to make off, and
Jacksea after being arrested staid, "There are to be
seine more shot; it is to be done on the loth or before
Cliriatinas."
_

The corner's inquest on the body of Sergeant Dixon,
barbarously niunlered by Jackson, was opened
on Monday. The evidence was conclusive as to
the prisoner's guilt. It appear.), also, that the
ruffimi el.tortained soma feeling of ill-will towards the
(bails.% and that he predicted that other non-commis-
aieued officers would share his fate. The jury returned
a verdict of wilful murder, and made an addendum ex•
pestling their conviction that prompt measures ought
to be ailoptee by the military authorities to prevent,
as far as may be possible, the repetition of these
diabolical crimes. Tin Coroner then rail said that in •
cse..f murder be a soldier twelve mouths' ago the jury
hod made a similar recommendation, which he had for-
warded tot) e Duke of Cambridge, hut beyond • brief
a. knowledgment of its receipt nothing bad been done.
The t'orinier made sonic further remarks on the subject,
wli ei are worthy of careful consideration, it is
olnious that the intervention of public opinion has now
become necessary.