The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-04-23 00:00:00

THE MURDER AT SLOUGH.

The inquest on the body of Mrs. Reville, of Slough,
who was murdered in her house on the evening of
Monday, the 11th inst., was resumed on Tuesday
morning in the magistrates' court at the police-station
at Slough, before Mr. F. Charsley, Coroner for Bucks.
—We take the following report of the case from
Wednesday's Times:—

The circumstances connected with the murder, so
far as they were known, have already been published.
The facts which came out at the inquest on Tuesday
in last week were as follows. Mr. Reville, the hus-
band of the deceased, carries on the business of a
butcher in the Windsor-road, Slough, a few doors
from the High-street, and he had two young men in
his employment, Philip Glass, aged 16, and Alfred
Augustus Payne, aged 18, Mr, Reville left the
house at about a quarter or ten minutes to eight,
leaving his wife at the books in a room behind
the shop. Their two children were in bed, and
Glass and Payne were the only other persons on
the premises. Glass states that he left at twenty-five
minutes past eight, leaving Mrs. Reville in the same
position. As he left, Payne, who had been employed
in the front shop, passed through the back room,
'where Mrs. Reville was, into the kitchen, and gave
as a reason for his remaining that he had to rub some
hams. Payne stated to Superintendent Dunham that
he left a few minutes after half-past eight, and
before the Coroner he made a voluntary statement
to the effect that he left at 8.32 p.m., and he fixed
the time by having looked at the clock.
It appeared that a Mrs. Beasley, living a,
fey? doors off, was in the habit of spending an even-
ing with Mrs. Reville, and she stated that she went
into the house at half-past eight and saw that Mrs.
Reville was seated in her chair with her throat cut.
She called another neighbour, a Mr. Laight. and then
went for a doctor, meeting Police-Sergeant Hebbes on
the way, to whom she also gave information. Hebbes
at once went to the house, and reached it at a quarter
to nine. He found M.s. Reville seated at a table facing
a window which, gave a view of the shop door. There
was a wourr!, on the right side of thetneck and two others
on the head, evidently inflicted by a butcher's chopper
which lay on a table near; and upon the floor there
was some money and a handkerchief. A half-sheet of
note paper was found in the room, upon which there
was the following writing in pencil :—" Mrs. Reville,
—You will never sell me any more bad meat, like you
did on Saturday. I told Mrs. Austin, of Chalvey,
that I should do for her. I have done it for the bad
meat that she sold me on Saturday.—H. COLLINS, Coln-
brook."—Evidence was given by Robert Collins, of
Chalvey, that the note was not from him, and that he
had not complained of bad meat, and Mr. and Mrs.
Austin, of Chalvey, gave e vidence to the effect that
no one had complained of bad meat to them.—Payne,
who had been under the surveillance of the police,
was discharged after the inquest, but was apprehended
on Saturday evening.

The Coroner stated that the inquiry had been ad-
journed for the purpose of obtaining additional evi-
dence, especially with regard to the handwriting,
which it was proposed to be submitted to a person
experienced in making comparisons of handwriting,
and also that the clothes upon which there was blood
shouldthe submitted to an analyst. The result of this
would now be laid before the jury.

The youth Payne was then brought into the court
and placed in the prisoners' dock. He had a much
graver appearance than when in court on Tuesday
last.

The first witness examined was Mr. Hezekiah Reville,
husband of the deceased, who, in reply to the coroner, said
that he left home at about ten minutes or a quarter to
eight, having observed the time just before. He went into
William-street to Mr. Willmot's. He remained there
about five minutes, and then went to Mr. Jenkins's, where
he remained about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.
He asked Mr. Jenkins whether ne was going to have a glass
of ale. Mr. Jenkins said he did not mind, and they left to
go to the "White Hart.,' They stopped at Mr. Cornish's on
the way, and Jenkins bought some tobacco. Jenkins
stopped some minutes, and then witness said he would
also have some tobacco. They then went together to the
"White Hart," and while there he was called out and
Informed of the murder. (The witness here became very
touch affected.) He had previously received two accounts
—one from Riley amounting to £1 98. and one from
Elkins, about £1 13s. He paid this money to his wife
and told her to cross off the amounts, and she did so. He
afterwards put the money in a bag and put it away. He
could not say whether Payne was'aware of his having paid
this money to his wife. There was no one in the shop at the
time but his little boy. On Sunday evening he went to the
house of Mrs. Glass and spoke to her about a piece of steak
he had found concealed. He asked her to get out of young
Glass what she could about it, as there was something
wrong and he was determined to find out all about it. On
Monday both boys were at work on the premises. He told
Payne he had better rub the hams over. He rubbed two
that had been in pickle five weeks, but not the ham that
was put in pickle on the Saturday night. That one was not
touched. It would take about three or four minutes. He
could not say whether his wife had been taking money on
that day.

By the Jury: No one had an opportunity of seeing his
books to know who his customers were. Payne was ex-
perienced in the use of the chopper, and could use it almost
as well as himself. When he was at Cornish's he stood on
the step all the time and Jenkins could see him. He did not
notice the time he went there or left. There was no reason
why Payne should have remained later than usual that
night. Witness's wife calculated that Payne was robbing
them, and she said to witness that if he did not get rid of
him she would do so herself.

Mr. James Willmott said he resided in William-street. On
Monday evening last week Mr. Reville came into his shop at
about ten minutes to eight. He remained about four or
five minutes and then went out. He wished him good night,
but did not actually see him leave.
Mrs. Sceny, wife of a beer-house iceeper in William-street,
said that she saw Mr. Revile cross the road from Willmott's.
Ile came to her house and had s.me ale. He remained a
tew minutes and then left. She did not see in what direction
he left:

Reuben Redrup said that on Monday evening week he
was walking down William-street at about a quarter past
eight. He overtook Mr. Reville had made an observation
about the weather. Mr. Reville said that witness was walk-
ing too fast for him, and witness left him. He had previously
seen Mr. Revile standing against his shop-door; that was
half an hour earlier in the evening.
Richard Jenkins, living in William-street, said he saw Mr.
Reville on Monday evening week, at about eight or ten
tninutes past eight. He was in his shop when Mr. Reville
came in, and he had a customer with him. Mr. Reville re-
raained in the shop about a quarter of an hour. They went
out together. He first went to Cornish's for some tobacco.
Mr. Reville remained outside at the doorstep. Mr. Reville
Was not actually in his sight all the time. Mr. Cornish asked
him if he were in a hurry, and he said "Yes." Mr. Reville
thetrcame in and had some tobacco. They then went out
together, and went to the "White Hart" and had some ale.
Mr. Harris's man came to the door and said, "Mr. Reville,
You are wanted at once." He immediately afterwards heard
that Mrs. Reville thad been murdered, and he left without
drinking his ale.

Kate Spurr, a servant at Mr. E. Co*field's, said she went
to Mr. Jenkins's shop at about a quarfer-past eight, and saw
Mr. Ravine there. She left and went to Willmott's, and then
returned and saw Mr. Reville still there. She went to
Cornish's, and while there Mr. Jenkins came in, and she saw
Mr. Revile outside.

Philip Glass was re-called, and, having been cautioned by
the Coroner to speak the truth, was re-sworn to his previous
evidence. He said he had been about two years with )Ir.
Revile. Payne came after him, but they were together
most of that time. On Sunday week Mr. Reville came to
his house and saw his mother. He did not hear what he
said to her, as he was in the kitchen and they talked
outside. After he was gone he, asked his mother what Mr.
Reville had come about. She hesitated about telling him
at first, but said it was about some isCeak which he had
otuid lying about. Nothing was said about money.
Re went to work on the Monday morning about five minutes
to seven. Payne came to work after him. He did not say
a word to Payne about what had taken place, because his
mother told him not to do so. He left on the Monday
evening at about twenty-five minutes past eight. He was
quite sure that that was the time. As he left Payne was
Passing from the shop into the back kitchen. He was not
certain where the chopper was at that time. He did not
know of Mrs. Reville having taken any money but the two.
shilling piece.

Kate Emily trims, a young woman, said she was living at
Mr. Rainer's, High-street, Slough. On Monday evening last
Week she was in the High-strcet, at the corner of Mackenzie-
street, at twenty-five minutes past eight. She met Glass,
Who turned down that street in the direction of the railway
station. Witness was walking from the direction of the
poet-oftlce, where she had been. She walked as far as Mr.
U.arris's, and remained talking to a friend for about ten
minutes. She then turned to go home. When she got to
the crossing by the "Red Lion " Inn she met Payne, ho was
about two yards from the pathway. It was then about 8.36.
It was not dark. Payne was dressed in his butcher's
dress.

George Rolfe, a brickmaker, living in Slough-court, said
he knew Payne. He did not see him during the day on
Monday, but he saw him in the evening. He passed the
Clock at the corner of William-street at half a minute
before half-past eight, and as he passed Reville's he saw
Payne leaving the house. He said, "Good night, Gus," and
Payne said, Good night, George." He could not say
Whether or not Payne shut the door as he came out, nor
could he say whether the gas was burning. Witness went
home, and left shortly afterwards, repassed Reville's house,
and went to the " Grapes " publichouse. As he passed
Reville's the second time he did not notice anyone about.
Only about seven minutes elapsed between his passing
Reville's the first and second time. It was nearly nine when
he heard of the murder. After he passed Payne he turned
round and saw him go round the corner of the crown"
hotel into High-street. He was walking on the pavement.
Mrs. Beasley was recalled, and added to her evidence that
the front door was wide open when she went into the
house. She could not say whether the inner door was latched
or not.

Mr. Laight was recalled. He said he did not remember
Whether the inner door was latched or not. He was so
Much excited that he could not remember. He could not
say whether his first view of Mrs. Reville was through
the window or through the door, but he believed it was
through the door. He had no recollection of opening the
door.

Sergeant Hebbes was recalled, and said that when he
entered the shop the gas was turned down about half way.

Mr. E. Dodd was resworn to Ids evidence describing the
Injuries the deceased had sustained.
Superintendent Dunham, after repeating his previous
evidence, said that on Saturday night last he apprehended
the prisoner at his father's house, the "Royal Oak" beer-
house, Leigh street. He was accompanied by Sergeant
Ilebbes and Mr. Emanuel. He called him from the room
in which he was sitting, and in the presence of his father,
Mr. Emanuel, and Sergeant Hebbes, said "It is my painful
duty.to charge you with a very serious offence, but before
I do SO I wish to caution you that whatever you may say I
shall give in evidence whether it is for or against you."
Ile then.charged him with having wilfully and maliciously
Murdered Ann Reville on the Monday previous. To that
the prisoner made no reply, and he then took him to the
Police station. When he went to Payne on the first
occasion he asked him if he had heard of the murder; he
said he had not, but evinced no surprise on being told
ef it.
Mr. G. S. -Emanuel, coachbuilder, High-street, Slough,
one. of the jurors, corroborated the. evidence of Superin-
tendent Dunham as to what took place on Saturday evening.
Payne made no observation except to ask for a hand-
kerchief.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Austen were recalled, but
added nothing to their former evidence.

Mr. Chabot, the expert in handwriting, was then exa-
lxiined. He said he lived at 27, Red Lion square, Londen.
On Wednesday last, the 13th of April, he received from
Sergeant Hebbes the letter in pencil and a print of Rouen
Cathedral, taken from the Builder, with writing in pencil
on It; also a paper initialed "S. D.," with Payne's name
an It; also two bills and tickets initialed "T. D." On
Thursday the 14th there was placed in his hands a specimen
afSlr. Revelle's writing; also a letter stated to be in the
handwriting of Payne. On the first occasion a plain piece
Paper initialed was also placed in his hands. On Good
Friday the book produced was placed in his hands, in yhich
he found entries by Payne and Mr. and Mrs. Reville and
Glass.. He had made an examination of the several speci-
mens, and had formed an opinion thereon.
Maria Barber, wife of Mr. John Barber, dairyman,
Windsor-road, said she lived in a house which was separated
by a Yard' from • that of Mr. Reville. On Monday week
she went out at 2) minutes past eight. Mrs. Reville was
then sitting at her desk. She saw her through the window.
Her husband left at 25 minutes to eight to go to his club.
She saw Payne in the back room, but did not see Glass.
She went out through the yard and closed the gate after
her, MA went to the Wellington-road and then walked

about the town, and did not return home until after the
murder was discovered. A week before, at about eleven at
night, she heard someone in her house. She called and
received no answer, and she heard the person go out and
close the door,

John Barber, dairyman, husband of the last witness, said
that he left home at half-past seven, and went to his club at
the 'North Star" nublichouse, and remained there till after
he heard of the murder. He had teen Mrs. Reville in the
yard before he went out.
Mr. Rude, surgeon, of Slough, gave evidence as to the
nature of the injuries inflicted, and said that they might
have been caused by such an instrument as the chopper. He
saw DO evidence of a struggle. In his opinion, the blows
must have been struck trout behind, and he thought the
deceased Was suddenly attacked. Either of the blows must
have caused unconsciousness.
Mr. Chabot was then recalled, and continued his evidence.
He gave it as his opinion, from various. peculiarities and
identities, that the note addressed tO Sirs. Reville was in the
same handwriting as the other papers submitted to him,
and alleged to be Payne's. He had also examined a half.
sheet of notepaper •submitted to him, and said that it was
of the same kind as that on which the note was written.
It was cut at the same time and was not quite square.
He considered that the writing was in a disguised or
assumed hand. In answer to a juryman, he pointed out
several points of similarity in the handwriting. He had
also compared the writing of the note with the writing in
pencil produced, and expressed the opinion that both were
written with the same pencil. Ile was strongly of opinion
that the letter did not correspond with the writing of Mr.
Reville.

Mr. Superintendant Dunham gave evidence of having
obtained from Payne a specimen of his handwriting on
Thursday last, this being one of the specimens submitted to
Mr. Chabot for comparison with the note addressed to Mrs.

Mr. Reville was then recalled, and said that two pencils
produced were his, and one of them was kept on the mantel-
piece in the sitting-room. There was only one inkstand in
the house, and that was in front of his wife. When he left
Payne writing he could not say what he was writing with.
A question having been asked with reference to the coat
of Mr. Reville, which was in the possession of the police,
Mr. Superintendent Dunham said that he had examined it
and there ware no marks of blood upon it.
The Coroner then asked Payne if he wished to make any
statement, cautioning him that what he said would be
given in evidence against him.
Payne then made the following statement :—" All I have
to say is that lam innocent of the crime. I knew nothing
about it until Superintendent Dunham came to my house.
fie asked me to go to Mrs. Reville and see where she was
sitting when I left her at 8.32. When I accompanied
Superintendent Dunham she did not appear to have moved
an inch. Mr. Reville says that I had some ill-feeling against
my late mistress, but I had not in the least. No two persons
could agree better than myself and Mrs. Reville. Mr. Revile
said that I was in the habit of going to the publichouse ; for
the last two months I have not. I gave it up as soon as he
spoke to me about it. I should not have gone so much to
the publichouse as I did had it not been for Mr. Reville. I
do not see how he can say that I was so bad after having
given me so many presents."

The Coroner said he did not see any advantage in a
further adjournment, and then summed up the evi-
dence at considerable length. He commented upon
the evidence, which in his opinion strongly pointed to
the fact that the murder was not committed by a,
stranger after Payne left the premises, and re-
marked that the time of the only persons to whom
suspicion could be attached had been satisfactorily
accounted for. He also reminded the jury that the
evidence of Mr. Chabot strongly pointed to the fact
that the note addressed to Mrs. Reville was written
by the same hand as the specimens in the known hand-
writing of Payne.
The jury retired at 4.15, and at a quarter-past six
returned with a verdict of "Wilful murder " against
Payne. One juror out of 14 dissented.