The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-04-23 00:00:00

TUE BOLTON STREET TRAGEDY.

Yesterday, Jehn Gibbons, the unfortunate lunatic who
deprived his two young children of life in Bolton-street,
on the morning of the 6.h inst., Was brought up at the
police court, before Mr. Mansfield, for final examination.
Mr. John Yates attended on behalf of some friends of
the prisoner, to watch the proceedings. The unfortunate
man looked wretched, and from his general appearance
and demeanour there could be no doubt whatever that his
mind was quite out of order. During the investigation
he leaned on the bar, and chiefly held his hands to his
head, apparently in pain, and certainly every one in
court seemed more affected at his position than he did
himself. Mrs. Gibbons was present, and was dreadfully
agitated ; and the little boy John, their son, exhibited
the finest anid most sensitive feelings, for whilst being
examined by Mr. Clough, the poor little fellow several
times, in a low voice, said, "Don't ask rneao speak out
loud to hurt the feelings of my poor father.' There
There
were several friends of the poor man in court, who also
took a deep interest in the case. Altogether, it is about
one of the saddest cases we have had to record. The
first witness called was Mary Devine, the servant girl
in the family of the unfortunate man. Her evidence
was precisely the same as that given by her a few
days ago, and which we published in full. In addi-
tion, she said the prisoner never went out for five
Months, and he was quite out of his mind. He said his
wife and children would be put in an iron cage, mad made
prostitutes of. He would riot let them go to the window
for fear their likenesses would be taken. . The prisoner
and his wife and children were most affectionate, and
loved one another dearly ; he was always kissing the
children. John gibbons, a fine, intelligent bey, eleven
years of age.. the son of the prisoner, was examined. The
poor little tello.a was much affected. His evidence was
the same as we have already given in &ail.- Mrs,
Gibloßeis was then sworn, and Mr. Clough was proceeding
to examine her, but his worship did not think it necessary
at that stage of the proceedings. The boy was examined
as to the habits of the father, and ho said his father used
to say they would be dragged about in iron cages ; and a
board was put up by the prisoner to prevent any one
looking in at the window to take -their likenesses. He
heard some one say it would be better to have him sent
to an asylum. Officer 565 was examined, and said when
he entered the hoaSe he found the throats of the two
children cut, and the prisoner said, I did it, and they
were better off than to .be brought tip as prostitutes.
Some one said to the prisoner, " You should have cut
your own throat instead of the children." and he said he
would bare done so if he had had time. H 3 said he
Would go willingly to bridewell if he were let kiss his
son Patrick. Edward Higgins, who resides opposite to
where the prisoner lived, and who went in along with
the officer, corroborated the evidence. He found the
razor under the bed. Police officer 291 was examined. He
went in after the other officer, and saw the children with
their throats cut. He ran for De. Bickerton, and when he
came one of the children was dead. Some one in the room
said to the prisoner,'" Oh, you wretch," when he replied,
"I am no wretch, they are better off now than to be here."
Surgeon Morris, of the Royal Infirmary, was examined
as to the nature of the wounds on the children ; and these
have already been described. Dr. Bickerton was also
examined, and his evidence was the same as heretofore.
Mr. Thomas Tyrer, a collector at St. John's Market, was
exarnised, and said, formerly he found the prisoner to be
'a superior man, but from the end of October last he was
convinced he was quite insane. He heard it spoken of
in the market to seed the prisoner to an asylum. George
Loclutt said he knew the prisoner for over four years,
and about Christmas last he considered the prisoner was
insane. Ile was a man of very excellent character. He
understood that the prisoner got involved by other people,
and this made him insane. Thomas Luya, the son of the
market inspector, gave the prisoner au excellent character,
and said formerly he was a person of great intelligence,
and very well read, but from before Christmas last his
mind was decidedly altered ; he was, in fact, insane. He
heard it spoken of in the market to send him to, an
asylum. This voncludad the evidence, and his worship
ordered the depositions to be taken ; and he said no
doubt the latter witnesses would attend on the trial;
prompted by their own feelings. The prisoner was then
removed, and will be committed for trial at the assizes.