The Express.
London, England, 1857-10-13 00:00:00

DOUBLE MURDER NEAR BATH.

BATH, MONDAY
Yesterday this city and neighbourhood were
thrown into • state of painful excitement by • well-authen-
domed report, which rapidly spread, that • man and hie with
had keen murdered Wsrleigh, • pretty little hamlet, about
four miles from Bath, and that the murderer had also
attrmpted selfdestruction. A brief statement of the circum-
stances wee immediately forwarded to the Express, but
as some of the particular., gathered in haste, required correc-
tion, we append a further account, with • report of the
coroner's *meet.
Themurer, a young man about 23 years of age, named
Miller, was employed as cowherd on the estate of 11. D.
Beq., of Warleigit House, who le one of the magic
' trate' for this county, and the murdered individuals am •
roan named Border, who wee groom end under-coachman
to that gentleman, and his wife. Miller lived with hi.
parents in one of three cottages about • quarter of •
utile from the boom, and Border and his wife occupied
another cottage, about 100 yards or so from that in which the
prisoner resided. On Saturday night, about 8 o'clock, Millet's
mother states that she left him with his Bible before him

which he had been reading, whilst she went upstairs to at-
tend to some domestic duties. He had been noticed se some-
what strange in his manner for some days, but had attended
to his duties up to Saturday night. Whiled the mother was
upstairs., Mr. and Mrs. Border called at the cottage to In-
quirt. after Miller, when the wretched man, without the
slightest provocation or any apparent estate, so ba as is at
purest known, rushed at Border with en open knife in his
head, which he plunged into the poor fellow's abdomen, and
then attempted to stab him in the throat. The wounded
man, terrified and calling fur help, ran off towards hie own
cottage, and his wife screamed and attempted to escape ales.
The withdraw made a dealt at her with the knife,
it into the lower Fart of her neck, and she fell bees=
down the etoep pathway of the garden outside the cottage
door. Her head came in contact with the stone edging,
her skull wee fractured, and It would appear that alto mud
have been killed Linnet inatantaneously, as when Miller e
mother ran downetairs on hearing the cries she found her
lying as stated, and quite dead. Poor Border managed to
reach his own Lome with sadatance, and Mr. Edwards,
surgeon, of Batheaston, NM sent for, and attended without
delay, He replaced the bowels, which he found protruding,
and sewed op the wound in the abdomen. The poor fellow
lived for nearly an hour end a half after receiving the
wounds, but he then sank and died.
The murderer was nowhere to be found after the perpe-
tration of the shocking deed, but the knife with which it wee
perpetrated was found, covered with blood, near the
cottage. It was supposed that Miller had eacaped;
but soon after 11 o'clock mane were heard from the
back of the cottage, and on search being made, ho was found
lying amongst IMAM Dualism. Thera were three or four cuts on
his throat, but these, Mr. Edwards Matte are not at all
serious wounds. Upon further examination, however, it
wee found that the prisoner had ripped up his own abdomen.
Mr Edward. sewed up the wound, but it was considered
that the injuries, though not of an immediately dangerous
character, were such a.s to prevent his removal to the Bath
United Hospital. He accordingly remains at his own cottage,
in custody of a constable.
Mr. Skrine and totally were not at home at the time of
the dreadfal tragedy.
Both Border and kis wife were very respectable for their
station in life, and were highly esteemed. Border was about
26 years of age, and his wife somewhat older. They had
been married nearly Sve yeses, and have left one little boy,
font years of op, who woo Ow, in his cot at the ratter
when him parents wen so trigtathally murdered.
We have beard that the prisoner's tether wm some time
ins confined in a lunatic asylum, end that the prisoner has
shown symptoms of the same malady.

rns
The coroner, Bruges Fry, Req. commenced his inquest
on the bodies to-day, at Warisigh., Tile messes of the de-
ceased are Andrew Border and Sarah Border.
The Coroner said the jiffy would have to view the bodies,
after which he sisetelA first el ell take the evidence in relation
to the limbo/, sad that In relation to the wife, as it was
not legal to take the
f Morgan, o.infadabs=w,
Thomas the Somerset County
Pelice, then deposed— sin slntioned at Weston. Yesterday
morning, about aisertsiorst these o'clock, I was sent for
by Police•conashb Wine, No..;otolioned at
On arriving at the himiet of W es the
house in which Mr. Dada end hie nod band
them both lying cm the Soar, and gulls hod. soled Sot
there was a stab in the theism= of Askew Roeder, sal •
quantity of blood on Wm sionesek. I able noticed that the
wore= had Bern stabbed lid 11111Pre the he leas= Thom
was a small quantity al Wood round the mood. I Um
went to another cotes" the esekteess ofThenme Mill= the
supposed murderer, and saw him in bd.He had a wound
onlis throat. Miller was unable to speak. I went down
into the valour, where I rimed • linen bonnet, now pro-
duced. It is cut on the left side, and stained with blood. I
also produce • knife which I found in the downstairs room—
the kindest—of the prisoner's house. It was whined with
blood, and partly opined, as it la now. The eltameed man
was groom in the establishment of Mr. Shins.
Walter Walters, police-constable 218, deposed:—On
Saturday night at 9 o'clock I was called upon by Robert
Baylis, the butler at Mr. Shine's, of Warleigh-house, who
requested me to come immediately to Warleigh. I was then at
my own house at Bethford. On arriving at Warlalgh 1 found
Andrew Border lying on the door of his own house. Ile
had • wound In the abdomen, but was not deed. Mr.
Conway Thomas Edwards, was there, and Border
said to him, "Oh, Mr. Edwards whet do you think of ill'
Mr. Edwards replied, "My dear man, may the Lord have
mercy on your soul." The deceased did not speak again,
but died in about five minutes afterwards. I forgot to ray
that deceased Liked where wee his poor wife? and she=
hands with George Heard, Mr. Shrine's gardener, and said,
" Good bye." I afterwards saw Sarah Border lying dead at
lire. Braddelil's bowie. She had a stab on the left brew t,
I and also • Alight cut on the left sided the lead. Before I
I saw Sarah Border. I saw Thomas Miller supported in a chair
sitting outside his house. His throat was cut, and he had
also • stab in his abdomen. Mr. Edwards, the surgeon,
sewed up his throat and the wound In the abdomen, and we
then took him to bed. Ile has been in the custody of P. C.
Wild= and myself ever since. I found the knife now
produced in the garden. It was lying in • pool of
blood. I have seen the bodies lying dead in the ad-
joining cottage, and know them to be the bodies of
Andrew 'and Sarah Border. I found upon the por
puree containing 24 106. in money, and a key, whic prisoner
produce. I also produce a bunch of keys which I found upon
the deceased Sarah Border.
Thomas &alerting, parish constable of Bathford, deposed
—On Saturday night about 10 minutes before 9 o'clock, I was
told there was • murder at Wm-high, and I meet go imme-
diately. I went, and on going to Andrew Border's house I
found him lying on the floor with a wound in the abdomen
which Mr. Edward's was dressing. I was told that Thomas
Miller had done it. I then went to Miller's house, but he
was not there. I then went Into Mr.. Bradfield's, adjoin-
ing, and maw the dead body of Sarah Border lying on the
floor. I proceeded then to the gsrden adjoining the cot-
tage., belonging to Daniel liancoelt, where I heard a noise,
and on approaching nearer I found Thomas Miller lying
on his thee coveted with blood. I raised him up, and
on searching his right hand pocket 1 found the rssor
now produced. It Is quite dean; them was no blood on it.
I and Thomas May, the woodmen, took the prisoner near to
his own house and placed him in a chair, and remained there
with him until Mr. Edwards, the surgeon, came, who gave
us orders to take him into the house. Mr. Edwards then
dressed hie wounds. The pawner said that be cut Mr. and
Mrs. Border with the large knife, and himself with the small
Ileiappeared quite sensible. I have known him for
tire years, and believe him to have been of sound mind. The
priemer was &lege • very quiet man. I never heard of hi.
being in • lunatic asylum. After Miller was in bed I
charged him with the murder of Mr. and Mrs, Bolder. Ile
then said that Mr. Border canto to him with his (pri-
soner'.) came knife to kill him, and he did cat him in
the belly, and be citt him. I salted him If he knew that
he was dead? and he said, No, he isn't dead." I
asked hire what be struck Mrs. Border fort sod he
said, " 1 stench her with my arm, like that," at
the Name time throwing his hand round towards me, " bet I
did not kill her, and I don't believe she is dead." I toid him
she was dead, and be made no reply. In the coarse of the
night he mid he bad not injured either of them I deal
believe the prisoner was the worse for liquor. The gfa~a
was Wring *NW Sr Welt, and alcargod

stabbed him in she belly. He ems sensible rat evening, bat
'he did net make say statement. I hed not seen the poisoner
for the lest els weeks before Saturday night.
Daniel Hance* labourer in the employ of Mr. Maine,
deposed--Or Setneday ime4ing I came home in company
with Thomas 3diller et doo'clock, from our work in the
fame-yard. The risme yr not in keno, but he seemed
Tfl7 low end dekserd. I err him iet was the came,
la gaid, feemegf to as ruin all raked me here;
sad want to paler res." I Weld him who theT wen% Ma
asid, "Isit me r He rep ied, It Is
eons tither down there, but I don't know who." I said
lia Idea," Ten SNOB to me 'ringed, Thunall, one I shell go
and to
yens mother." We than uremia • I went into my
bones, and ha into hie, which &buns. hid;
went up to
the area rad told his mother that the had better come down
sad ter sae if him. I have known the prisoner for nine
=den* which time he has teen in the barrios of Mr.
He is a quiet man, but fligham at times. He never
impend to be a dangeroua character. lie never wee in con-
thersient that I know of. I never knew him commit any act
of violence before. Between 8 and 9 o'clock on Saturday
fight I was seated by my own tire, and had my bouts off
going to bed, when I heard a scream, and my wife. who
woo wards. rid." Daniel, mine out." I put my ghost on
sad Mal out, and saw Sarah Border lying on the ground.
My wife and two other woman, minor Bradfield, ware
with her. One of them said, " Tom Milky has a done it."
I ran after Miller, and cried out " Tom" three time. It
ach dark. I then heard Mr. Border say, " Daniel,
do come and help me ; Tom Miller Itsa been and
me." I went to Mr. Border, whom I found "tending
la the leas doubled up, with his hands on his Macomb. I
pat my heads round his middle to keep him from falling. I
wee then semi std by Mr. Heard, the gardener, end we took
him beam As we were going along, be said, " Where is
my dear wigs f" and bid me go and seek for her. After taking
him home I went beck and found that his wife wee dead.
The rage knife produced by Superintendent Morgan ie the
prisoner, Thomas Miller. I have men it in
within the last month.
Edwards, surgeon—l mean by his beim "flighty"
then be was foolhardy ; and acted more lass boy than a
men. He would rile donkeys backwards instead of

Coroner—l never knew but that the pr loner and
the Baden were on friendly terms. I have seen Mrs. Bor-
der at Miller's house mayoral times. I believe they were on
neighbourly terms. On Saturday morning I head my wife
my that the prisoner had been ill all night, and wee light-
headed. She rid the prisoner.'. mother bad told her es.
Jane Hancock, wifeof the Mat witness, deposed—On
Saturday night hearing dreadful *creams, whith appeared
to come from Miller's door, and a rushing noise, I went
to the door with a candle, being rather timid from knowing
that Tom Miller was queer in the heed and Ally. I saw
Mr,. Border Iyutg on the ground and heard a rushing noise.
I called my husband out, sad Mrs. Miller, the prisoner'
'pother, said, " Run, run, catch Nei." I don't know who
she meant. I then fetched my humband's hat and over-
took him, and saw Mr. Border in my husband's ems. I
passed by Mrs. Border lying is the path, and thought she
was faint.
By Mr. Gould—l saw the prisoner one how before the
occurrence standing with his mother near his father's house.
I asked him how he was, and he said be was better. He
was looking on the ground and never looked up. I bad not
seen much of him during the day. There was nothing in
his manner to induce rue to believe he was deranged. I never
knew him to be deranged, queer, or silly ; but my husband
told me so in the evening.
By a Juror—l told my husband on Saturday, that Mrs.
Miller had been in on that morning and said that Tom had
been light headed all night.
Sarah Ripping, wife of James Ripping, coachman to Mr.
Blaine, deposed that she had wen the prisoner 'wend time
during the week prior to the murder, and he complain of
havMg a cold, and being unwell. On Saturday morning,
about half-peat 8 o'clock, she met him, and on wking him bow
he wee, he replied that he had had a bed night ; that he bad
been fighting the Indians, and must fight them agate, end
that if he got away from their bayonets he would have a line
holm to live in. He said he had a sore throat, and witness
advised him to go to bed. He said he could not lie down es
the devils came up bete (pointing to his breast), and that be
bad to keep his hand there, for he could not keep his hearths
She did not see him again till six o'clock on Saturday evening,
when he knocked at her door, and maw in and see
down. She said, " Well, Thomas, how are you?' He
replied, " Very bed." She then asked him to have a cup of
tea, but he raid he could not drink it; he bad not been
well since be was at her house the other day ; and that
she had poisoned him. Ile looked very wild, and witness
was frightened. Prisoner said, " Mrs. Border said I killed
the woman at Leigh Woods." Witness and her children
were frightened and went into Mra. Border's house end
locked themselves In. Mrs. Border denied having said any-
thing about the prisoner, and presently, to their great relief,
they maw him go down the garden. Witness end her chil-
dren stayed at Mrs. Border's till half-peat seven o'clock, dur-
ing which time Mr. Border had come home to tea. Witness
and her children loft Mr. and Mm. Border in their own
house. About twenty minutes after this Mrs. Hancock
DIM to witness's house and asked for a huithorn, saying
that Mr. and Mrs. Border were lying in the road in fits. Sho
gas) her the leathern and went out and found Mr. Head
and Mr. Hancock bringing Mr. Border home. Mr. Border
said, "lam a dead man." They laid him down and Mr.
Heed opened his trousers, and witness saw a great deal of
Mood. Wilms was with him alone for an hour whilst the
meesengere were gone fur the doctor. Be said he was dying
and asked her to pray for him, and he prayed very fervently
himself. Witmer sated him who dkl it, and he sitl
" Tom did it," and he then said, "He has served her the
same." By " her" she understood him to mesa Mm.
Border, as he had several time. asked for his dear wife. Mr.
Edwards, the surgeon, wino at a quarter post nine o'clock.
Conway Thos. Edwards, surgeon of Bathcaston,
a
to the nature of the wound, and added, I sewed up ="lat
CiliOD gars the man a little brandy, and ordered lam to to
tfollin • Md. The moment he was lifted up groat heare
wir-
owed. Be spoke faintly, and asked how it was
him, and I replied, " May the Lord have mercy an your
mod." Seeing that he was sinking, I said, "Who on earth
has done this?' He replied, "Tom." I understood him
to mean Tom Miller, the cowherd. Another gush of blood
took place, and he then died. When ho said Tom did it, he
knew he was dying.
Items then arranged that as there was some doubt &I to
the ranee of the woman's death, whether by the stab or the
fall, a port marten examination should be made of each body,
and the inquest was adjourned for that purpose till to-morrow
at 10 o'clock.