The Express.
London, England, 1849-06-30 00:00:00

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER BY A

PREACHER.

On Wednesday, the Rev. Jonathan Henry Price, a
dissenting minister at WooJham Ferris, and Priscilla Ruffle,
about 30 years of age, daughter of a widow occupying a
farm at High Rootniug, were charged at Che:msford with
attempting to murder a child found in a basket at Widford.
Charlotte Saltwell examincd—On the 6th of June I was
at my daughter's, at Writtle. I rrgr going along Grow-
iana, its I was rita gong I heard the cry of a child. Op
posite to me was the basket, in the ditch. Being frightened,
I looked round to see if I could see any one to assist me. I
made my way as fast as I could to Widford Hall, when I
met Mrs. Cooper. She went back with me to the spot. I
had not then seen the child, or touched the basket. Mrs.
Cooper pulled the basket out of the ditch, pulled up the lid,
and I took the child out of the basket. We took it to Wid•
ford Hall, and there fed it. It was arranged that Mn.
Cooler should take it to the union.

Hannah Cooper also proved the Boding of the child. The
basket-lid was fastened dowi. The child seemed half
starved.

John Ouy.—l am the station muter at Irigatestone, and
have been so two years; my duty is to be always there when
la train arrives. Oa the 6th June I recollect a female with
lan infant stopped at the Ingatestone station by down train
at 11.56. She asked where the multi wait. I directed her
to the waiting-room. fily next attention was drawn to her
from my servant telling me she had warmed some food. I
had noticed the child was emaciated in appearence, and that
it was very small. I asked her bow old it was, and she re-
plied three weeks. I asked her if it was hers, and she said
yes. The female prisoner is the person I have been
speaking of,- about a quarter of an hour after the train had
left, the male prisoner came to the station walking as if he
came from Ingatestone. He made the observation to the
female, "You are come." He then asked me the time she
could return. I answered, 325 or 8. They then walked
up and down the eke two or three time,. He asked if she
was ready, she said, yes. He took a basket similar to the
one produced, and they both walked towards Ingatestone.
About hall an hour after, the male prisoner returned to know
if the lady could go from Chelmsford station instead of In-
gatestone. I said, yes, by paying the additional fart. He
then went away, and I saw no more of him. The lady had
come down by a day ticket, and the question as to Chelais-
lord had reference to that.
Henry Knight—l am ostler at the New Inn, lagatestosie.
On the 6 h of J tine a gentleman came with a pony and gig.
He left it there and went up the yard towards the station.
In about a quarter of an hour he returned to the New Inn,
and remailvd there about an hour. When he came from
the station the first time a lady came with him. The male
prisoner is the gentleman I allude to. He went to the sta-
tion a second time, and as he came back he told me to put the
pony to. They then left, and I saw them go towards Chelms-
ford. I saw them past the Eagle. A lady left with him,
but I cannot swear to her. Wnen the lady got into the gig
ate had something In her armslike a child.
Catherine Gaylor—On the 6;h of June I was going to the
corner of Widford Hall-lane, and saw a pony and gig coming
from Chelmsford. It turned up Widford Hall-lane before I
got to it, towards Mr. Hammond's. It was a low chaise.
In the chaise were a lady and a gentleman, and at their feet
was standing a basket; the lady had a parasol up before her
feu. On my return that evaurg I heard that a child had
been found there.
F. Cbilvers, polieeman.—On the 6th of June I was at the
Chelmsford railway station a few minutes before three,
when I saw a female come and apply for a ticket to go to
Ingatestone ; she produced a day ticket from London to
Ingatestone ; the clerk asked if she came by the road from
Ingatestone, and she said she did. She had another ticket
and paid Is. for it. She had no child or basket with her,
that I saw; the prisoner is the female I saw.
The prisoners were cautioned and call-don for their de-
fence,
when Mr. Price said he should reverve his defence,
and the women said she should leave it all to her professional
adviser. They were both committed for trial for unlawfully
assaulting. anG ill-treating a male child at Widford, with in-
tent feloniously to kill and murder it.
Bail was taken for their appearance.

RrefEw AT WOOLWICH.—It is stated on good
authority that a grand review will take place at Woolwich
on Tuesday next, when Field Marshal the Marquis of
Ai:Riese& and several other distinguished persona will be
pant.