The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-10-21 00:00:00

MURDER IN LIVERPOOL,

CORONER'S COURT, YESTERDAY.—In our impression of
Saturday, there appeared a paragral)ll relative to the death of
a man named Thomas Hughes, 31 years of age; who resided
at 130, Wolfe street, Park. There was an inquest held on
the body yesterday, and from the evidence given before the
jury, it would appear that the man has been murdered. The
following is the history of this case, which at present involves
some mystery :—The deceased was a labourer, and was
formerly given to excessive drinking, but for some months past
he was a teetotaler. However, on last Wednesday he " broke
out," and went on a spree. He went to a house of bad repute,
kept by a woman named Mary M'Ghee, in Britton Court,
Prince William street. He was drunk at the time, and con.
inued so all the night. It appeared from the evidence of two
emales named Gorman, (ino'lp-r and daughter,) who reside
opposite Britton Court, that, early on Thursday mo 5 ing, they
heard groans coming from the cellar of the house, and on
`;saw
under the door, which was broken at the bottom, they
saw the deceased, and the woman M'Ghee, and another named
Carnes, with him. The deceased was saying, "for God's sake,
don't let her harm me." The woman. M'Ghee, in the course of
,the day, informed the people where the deceased lodged, that
he was very bad at her house, and he was then conveyed
'home, but never spoke after ; he died in three hours.
Surgeon Parsonage .ot the Southern Dispensary, who
made a post mortern examination of the body, stated that he
found the back of the deceased's neck extensively echymozed
(bruised), and the sixth cerricle vertihri was completely
separated from the seventh. There was great effusion of
blood into the sheath of the spinal cord, and these injuries
were the cause of death, and the result of great external
violence. A fall might probably cause the injuries, but not a
fall on the back on a flat surface. Other witnesses were
examined, and proved that they heard the deceased moan and
cry out for God sake not to harm him ; and they heard
females say, "If you don't hold your noise, we will shove
you into the midden." The jury, under the circumstances,
returned a verdict of " Wilful murder, against some person or
persons unknown." It is a curious fact, that in July, 1851,
the husband of the woman, M'Ghee, died in the Coroner's
Court, whilst giving evidence.

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,

The annual meeting of this society was held at seven
o'clock last night, in the Royal Institution—Mr.
M'Andrew, president, in the chair.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and con-
firmed.

The following gentlemen were elected members of the
society :—Rev. J. Herbert Jones, M.A., Mr. James
M'Andrew, and Dr. Nevin.

The Secretary, Dr. D. P. Thomson, read the annual
report, from which it appeared that the society num-
bers 140 ordinary members, and has on its roll 184.
From the Treasurer's report, it appeared that the
balance in favour of the society carried over amounted
to £166 14s 61d.
Both reports were confirmed.

The Chairman delivered a brief address, before retir-
ing from the office of president. He congratulated the
society on its present prosperous condition, and rejoiced
at the steps taken by the corporation for the erection of
a library and museum worthy of the town. He
hoped that, when completed, they would be
put under scientific management; and, without intending
any reflection on the corporation, observed that in the
absence of such management, the Botanic Gardens
were at present almost useless as a scientific institution.
Dr. Inmann was then elected president of the society,
and took the chair vacated by Mr. M'Andrew. Dr.
Inmann briefly returned thanks for the honour done,
and declared that, in attaining the presidential chair of
the society, he had gratified one of the great objects of
his ambition.

The following gentlemen were elected as the council
for the pres-nt year :—Messrs. Brook, Hamilton, Red—
dish, Cunningham, F3rde, T. C. Archer, Bryerley,
Edwards, Higginson, Bretherton, Rev. H. H. Higgins,
Dr. Ihney, Dr. Thomson, and Rev. Mr. Ramsay.

Dr. Limey, the Rev. Mr. Higgins, and Mr. T. C
Archer, were elected vice-presidents.
Dr. Thomson and Mr. Byerley were unanimously re-
elected without a ballot, honorary secretary and treasurer
of the society.

It was agreed that it should be a law of the society,
that, for the future, the IPerary and philosophical intelli—
gence shall be discontinued or suspended at eight o'clock,
to give time to such members as may have prepared
papers to read them.

- On the motion of Dr. Ihney, seconded by Mr. T. C.
Archer, the thanks of the society were voted by acclama-
tion to Mr. M'Andrew, for the manner in whick he
discharged the duties attaching to the office of president.
This concluded the business.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

A.T HEREFORD

The annual meeting of the Herefordshire Agricultural
Society was held at Hereford, on Saturday. The dinner
took place in the evening at the Assembly Rooms, at the
Groen Dragon Hotel. The chair was taken by Elias
Chadwick Esq., the president for the year; and at the
head of the table sat the Right Hon. Sir George Come-
wall Lewis (the Chancellor of the Exchequer), Mr.
Booker Blakemore, M,P., Hon. Captain Hanbury, M.P.,
the Venerable Archdeacon Freer, C. W. Allen, Esq.,
high sheriff of the county, and about 150 landlords and
tenant farmers. After some introductory toasts, " The
health of Sir G. C. Lewis " was proposed from the chair.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer commenced his remarks
by referring to his former connection with the county,
and to the electoral contest which had dissolved it.
After glancing at the question of free trade, then in

I DISCHARGED PRISONERS AID SOCIETY

meeting in aid of this society, was held in Birmingham
on Friday night. Lod Calthorpe took the chair, and was
supported by Lord Lyttleton, the Recorder of London, Sir S.
Northcote, Mr. Adderley, M.P., Sir John Pakington, and
other gentlemen. The Honorary Secretary (arr. Burt) stated
that the object of the society was to find employment for meri-
torious discharged prisoners, and to find security to employers,
against robberies which might be feared would be committed by
persons to whom they thus benevolently gave employment.
Mr. Hill (Q.C.), moved a resolution to the effect, that the
plans and operations of the Birmingham Discharged Prisoners'
Aid Society, be approved by the meeting. Lord Lyttleton
seconded the resolution, which was carried. The Recorder of
London, agreed with Mr. Hill, that the plan of the association
was not only prudent, but modest. They did not pretend to
deal with the hardened thief, or the brutal ruffi tn, but with
those unfortunate individuals, who, yielding to temptation,
fell easily into the commission of crime, and who, by timely
aid, might be restored to society. He moved that the
employers of the town be requested to co—operate in the good
work. Sir John Pakington seconded the resolution. They
were met to promote a local charity, and, in his opinion, there
was scarcely any object more deserving of their support than
the reformation of their Christian fellow countrymen from
crime. He hoped tho society would ho the forerunner of many
other similar charities throughout the country. Mr. Alderman
Lucy moved the next resolution. Mr. Adderley, M.P., in
seconding the motion, said it rested upon the public whether or
not that great movement should succeed. If they would come
forward and meet liberated prisoners in the spirit which had
been manifested in the hall that night, they might rely upon it
the success of the society would be insured. Mr. Wright, of
Manchester, next addressed the meeting. He had been
instrumental in restoring many prisoners to society, and many
of them now held responsible situations in various parts of the
world. When he saw many of these so occupied in various
apherea of life, he experienced a peace of mind which the world
could not give. He did not see any other way of preventing
crime than by taking young children out of the street, and by
law compelling their attendance at school. (Cheers.) He
would not compel a Roman Catholic to send his child to his
(Mr. Wright's) Protestant school, but he should he compelled
to send him to a school where he would obtain an education
according to the doctrines of his own church. Sir S. Northcote.
M.P., moved a vote of thanks to the mayor and officers of the
borough, who had taken part in the movement. This was
seconded by the stipendiary magistrate, and shortly afterwards
the meeting separated.

FALL OF ANOTHER HOUSE IN LONDON

TWELVE PERSONS BURIED IN THE RUINS

Scarcely had the excitement attendant on the late fatal
accident in the city, occasioned by the falling of a house.
subsided, than another has occurred, almost as startling as
the former, though not attended with loss of life. The
scene of the present accident is in Bishopsgate-street, and
for a considerable period the most intense excitement
existed in the neighbourhood, from the number of men it
was known must have been buried in the ruins, and who,
it was feared, must have been crushed to death. It appears
that about two months since the house in question, situate
at 191, Bishopsgate, and then occupied by Mr. Warrener, an
extensive toy merchant, was nearly consumed by fire ;
and since that time it has been undergoing thorough and
substantial repairs by Messrs. Cubitt, the eminent builders,
of Gray's Inn Road, and for that purpose a large number of
hands have been engaged on the premises. On Saturday
morning the men resumed their work as usual, and continued
without any indications of danger till about eleven o'clock.
Much of the old house was removed, such as the outer
walls, floors, and back wall, though materially damaged by
the late catastrophe. In the course of the work it was
necessary to use great caution, and in order to properly
carry the third floor it was found necessary to put in fresh
girders. That was partially accomplished, one end of one
of them being fixed in one of the side walls, whilst the other
end was shored up to support it until the wall to carry
it had been secured b 7 new work, on which it was to rest.
The men continued their work without fear or apprehen-
sion until about eleven o'clock, when all at once the girder
gave way, and, from the dilapidated state of the under
floors, carried everything before it to the cellar—men, tools,
and materials—and completely burying a dozen men,
several of whom were at the time engaged in the cellar
mixing mortar. The immense volume of dust which
immediately arose in the air caused the utmost consterna-
tion to prevail, and the cries of the men who were covered
with the debris only heightened the fears of a large
concourse of persons for their safety whom the catastrophe
had attracted to the spot. Immediately on the alarm being
raised, Inspector Scott, Police-sergeant Carter, and a large
body, of police, repaired to the spot and rendered valuable
assistace to the sufferers, and by their judicious arrange-
ments prevented any interruption to the ordinary traffic of
that crowded thoroughfare. They at once set to work, and,
with the assistance of other men, commenced clearing the
debris which buried so many of their fellow-creatures,
whose screams and cries for he'p were heart-rending.
Fortunately for the poor fellows the floors had given way
on one side, and consequently fell in a sloping or inclined
direction, and to that cause is attributed their providential
escape. On removing the woodwork, which was done in a
very careful manner, the sufferers were extricated from their
perilous position (two, however, being found stuck in the
mortar they were mixing), and the worst conveyed in cabs
to the hospital, whilst those who were able to walk
congratulated themselves on their lucky escape, and made
the best of their way home. The injuries are of an external
character and not of a serious description.

debate,Thut now for ever settled, Sir Cornewall Lewis said
the agriculture of this country did not depend for its
prosperity upon any temporary influence of war, but that Sr. ,
tiNNE'S DISPENSARY AND EVE AND EkR INSTi.
it would continue to thrive during the peace which now
happily existed, as it had thriven during the peace which Timm 9, ROSE HILL.—For the week ending Oct. 18
preceded the last war. Agriculture rested on foundations —New patients entered,
on the
.booksrelieved
lastd week,
at their own
viz—Re-
broader and deeper than these: it rested on the skill, on lieved at the institution, 177
the industry, and on the enterprise of the agriculturists of dwellings, 70 ; cases of prevailing epidemic, 0. Total, 247.
this country. When he saw before him so distinguished Visitors—Mr. E. Watts, and Mr. T. Kirk. Hon. Secretary
a party of persons mainly belonging to that and Treasurer, Joseph Kitchen, Esq.
class, when he thought of the splendid exhibition HORRIBLE MURDER IN JERSEY.—With sincere sorrow we
of stock which': he had that day witnessed, announce the perpetration of a horrible murder in this island.
when he heard no despondence of any' class of the On Tuesday night, the 14th instant, between the hours of
agricultural community. neither of landlords being cone-
nine and ten o'clock, Mr. Hacquil, Centenier of St. Ouen,
pelled to lower their rents for a time, nor of tenants
driven from their holdings by their incapacity to obtain lodged at the station house, one of the inhabitants of that
remunerating prices for their produce—when he saw parish named Jesue Le Ceresley, son of Peter, from yinche:
around him these circumstances, he could not but regard lez, whom he had arrested on a charge of murdering his
them as certain indications of agricultural prosperity. wife, Henriette Le Feuvre dit Fiellastre. From information
He could only say, in conclusion, that in the midst of obtained from Mr. Hacquoil, we learn that Le Gresley was
prosperity in this country among all branches of industry, seen in the morning digging potatoes; and his unfortunate
whether among the agricultural classes, or any other wife was observed about five minutes past ten o'clock with
portion of the community, the labouring classes should be a digging fork in her hand, proceeding in the direction of
considered. where her husband was employed. Afterwards he was seen
tending his pigs, and performing other work, but the poor
woman was seen no more alive. At twelve o'clock the
children returned from school, and not finding their mother
at home, went in search of her, when, frightful to relate,
the poor creatures found their parent dead in a field. Help
having been obtained, :t was ascertained that the murdered
woman bad been killed with the fork, one of the prongs of
which having been driven into the back of the skull, and
entering the brain, must have caused instant death. When
picked up the body was cold and rigid. The prisoner was
found in a state of seeming indifference, and from the time
of his arrest until this morning has maintained a gloomy
• silence. There can be but little, if any,douht that the man
is in a state of apethetic insanity. We hear that some years
ago he had been addicted to excessive drinking, and
eighteen months past was kept confined to his kitchen.
Most likely the fatal deed by which he has stained his hands
with blood and deprived his children of their mother was
the consequence of some sudden burst of insane passion.
A COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER CONVICTED FOR FELONY.—
' At the West Riding sessions, held at Doncaster, on Saturday,
before W. Aldacre, Esq., chairman, and a bench of magis-
trates, Henry Thackray, aged 40, a very respectably dressed
man, described in the calendar as a commercial traveller, of
good education, surrendered to take his trial, charged with
stealing a piece of paper, the property of Thomas Clarke, at
Goole, on the 25th September, 1856. Mr. Shaw conducted
the prosecution, and Mr. Blanchard defended the prisoner.
It appeared that the prisoner is a traveller in the employ-
ment of Messrs. Hodgson and Son, wholesale grocers, Leeds,
and the prosecutor alleged that on the 16th August last he
paid him on their account £l6 2s, as part of the value of
goods he had received, and for which the prisoner gave a
receipt. The prisoner, on returning to Leeds. entered only
£6 2s as the sum he had received, but in consequence of
something taking place, he again visited Goole on the 26th
—ea,' September. He called upon the prosecutor, and requested
out et. the bag to be shown the receipt. Clarke, after some demur, held it
e gre,a, corn dealers had long felt the up for him to look at, and the prisoner snatched it out of his
-"turns for their own guidance. bands and ran into the street. Clarke quickly followed, a
r,he farmers) to scuffle took place, and the receipt was torn in two, prosecutor
retaining one part and Thackray the other. During the
scuffle, the prisoner charged Clarke with having forged the
receipt, and called out police, at the same time offering to
give np the receipt if Clarke would let him off. It appears,
however, that he did not do so, for on the 7th October a
warrant was issued for his apprehension, and when it was
served upon him at Messrs. Hodgson's counting-house in
Leeds, he immediately produced the receipt. This formed
the offence for which he now stood to take his trial, Evi-
dence having been produced, Mr. Blanchard addressed the
court on the prisoner's behalf. lye denied that more than
£6 2s had been paid, dwelling upon the fact of the prose-
cutor having paid the prisoner (as he alleged in his evidence)
the £l6 in fourteen sovereigns and £2 in silver, as being an
unlikely occurrence, and favouring the presumption that he
had no more money in the house, and being in distressed
circumstances had resorted to a forgery, He contended that
the prisoner's conduct when called upon by the police officer
was not that of a dishonest man, for although he had had
every opportunity for concealing the receipt, he Lad not
done so, but immediately produced it. Moreover his
employers had retained him in their service, and had every
confidence in him. Mr. Blanchard concluded by calling a
number of very respectable persons from Leeds to speak to
the prisoner's character. The chairman summed up, and
the jury returned a verdict of guilty. He was sentenced to
two months' imprisonment.

MR. PACKE,

On Friday, at the anniversary of the Loughborough Agri_
cultural Association, Mr. C. W. Packs, hI.P, said, in reference
to the subject of agricul t ural statistics—The question was entirely
an oectirder's question. It had engaged the attention of
almost all the agricultural meetings held since the prorogation
of parliament. It was a matter, in his humble judgment, of
serious importance to themselves, fraught with the menace of
interference in their particular and private concerns. Mr.
Stafford had well observed at Northampton : Did those who
asked for this information from the farmers furnish the farmers
with information of what they had in their shops and possessed
in their houses? (Cheers.) It was an analogous question.
No doubt they were aware of every pound of cotton that went
out and in. But what he asked them was, had they any
private information of the merchant's own affairs and own
concerns ? Mr. Edwards had said that government ought to
compel the statistics, in order to ascertain how much
corn was grown in the country, so as not to be
dependent on foreigners, and urged that the land
of this country could produce enough for the
population. But they all knew that the produce of corn
depended upon the price obtained for it in the previous year.
If they could not, in fact, get a remunerative price for their
corn, they would turn their farms to the production of some
other crop. Ilia hon. friend, Mr. Tollemache, the member for
Cheshire, a gentleman whom he (Mr. Packe)respected highly,
had said that the people of this country ought to know what
corn was grow❑ abroad, so as to let the farmers of England
knew what produce could be imported from abroad. It was
all very well to ask them what they had got, but would
they tell them what came from other countries P Before
the agitation had commenced on the subject in parliament,
Lord Ashburton had let the • cat out of the bag
corn dealers had long felt the
iecessity for some such returns for their own guidance.
To be sure they had. But were they (the farmers) to
be grilled into giving private information to those
opposed to them, and who met them in the market ? No
for their benefit

by owning that

1 show th

argument could

M.P., ON AGRICULTURAL
STATISTICS.

that was

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is member for Rat---1:
norshire, had, with financial candour, admitted in that county,
that even if obtained, agricultural statistics would not he worth
the. cost of collection. Lord Palmerston also, on a great occa-
%orrt—the debate upon the falls of Kars—had called together a
that he cand
' ge meeting of all the influential supporters of her Majesty's
government Lord Palmerston had told them on that occa-
sionnldbynot continue to hold office unless he were
that if he btought.i his
better supported
party. What was the answer? Why,
such hills as the Agricultural Statistics
Bill, he could not en:to be better supported. That bill
had received in LordPl7'e ati mfrom those upon his lortisiriispn.,,)n's own room such blows as that
must be shown than had been. g
otwon a side,han,i
abandon
di thet Som supportersethin
of the government determined
could effect by such means to yett proposed
more laggible
before they
the country.,
at large. Illr. Packe concluded bY Proposing the
_toast which
he had intended. In the course of the evening, mr. W. Perry
Herrick, of Beaumaris, a rich and influential Leicestershire
gentleman, rose and disputed Mr. Packe's conclusions,
assigning two reasons, more especially why the statistics
would be found beneficial to the farmers, namely, in
checking undue and ruinous importations from abroad,
and in enabling them them to know what to grow.