The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-28 00:00:00

Frightful Murder in Saffron-Hill,

Sarafini Polioni, a ferocious-looking Italian, about 33
years of age, was placed at the bar of the Clerkenwell Police
court yesterday, before Mr Knox (who is sitting for Mr
Barker), charged with the wilful murder of Michael Har-
rington, by cutting him with a knife.. He was also charged
with feloniously cutting and wounding Alfred Rebbick and
George Bannister.

Mr T. Wakeling appeared for the prosecution, and Mr
Inspector Potter, who has charge of the case, was present
to watch the proceedings on the part of the police. Mr Gne.
rine attended as interpreter.

Mr Wakeling said the prisoner was an Italian, and lived
close to the Golden Anchor publiehouse, Great Saffron-hill.
He had grossly insulted the landlord, and was turned out of
house some time before. On Monday night a lot of Italians
got up a disturbance in the house. The prisoner rushed up
stairs, knocked a woman down and stabbed the deceased.
He had previously stabbed two others, one of whom, it was
stated, was at the point of death. The deceased made a
statement at the hospital, as well as the other unfortunate
man. These statements he proposed to submit in evidence.
They were as follows :

Dec. 26, 1864.
My name is Michael Harrington; I was at Golden An-
chor pablichouse, Great Saffron-hill. about 7 o'clock this
evening. I was stabbed in the belly. The man with a mous-
tache is the man that did it. God forgive him. I mean the
man now present. I am on my dying bed. God forgive him
I will not sign.
Witnesses,
THOMAS A. POTTER, Inspector,
{ RICHARD FA,WELL, P.P. 42.5 A,
St Bartholomew's Hospital.
My name is Alfred Rebbick. I reside at 59, Great
Saffron-hill. I am a potman. lam 22 years of age.
About 7 o'clock this evening there was a disturbance at
the Golden Anchor, Great Saffron-hill. I went into the room
to try to quell it. An Italian was in the room. That man
stabbed rte. I immediately struck him with a stick. I
afterwards gave that man into custody of Police-constable
425 A, Fawell. This statement is true. I know lam dying.
The man who stabbed me is now present. That is the man.
(Signed) ALFRED REBBICK, X (his mark).
witnesses
{ THOMAS A, POTTER, Inspector.
RICHARD FAWELL, 42.5 A,
Royal Free Hospital, Dec. 26, 1864.
It was thought the stab which killed the deceased was
intended for the landlord of the house.
The following evidence was then taken, which was inter-
preted to the prisoner :
Frederick Shaw—•l am landlord of the Golden Anchor,
Saffron-hill. I saw the prisoner last evening. He came
about half-past five. He was talking to my wife. He came

with five or six other Italians. llesaid he could settle me,

he could settle any six Englishmen like me. I did not speak
to hits. He then left. They did not all leave. He had
been drinking. He returned in 20 minutes. I did not see
him return. The other Italian struck me. Soon after there
was a row in. the room. I went out for a constable. The
constable came, and the next thing I saw was the prisoner
being taken out by the police. Constable Fawell, 425 A,
went into the bagatelle room. I was pushed into the bar
parlour by some of the customers, as the Italians threatened
me. I then saw the prisoner taken out. I afterwards saw
the deceased Harrington at the foot of the stairs leading to
the bagatelle room. He was not able to speak, and his
bowels were all protruding. I got him into the bar parlour.
I raised his shirt, and found he had got a severe cut, He
was then taken to the hospital.

1 Maria King—l am the wi'e of William King, .58, Lea' her-
lane. He is a bone button manuracturer. I was with my
husband at the Golden Anchor on Monday night last, I
knew the deceased, he was in the roorc.---the bagatelle room.
He was in the room with my husband and several others.
They were not playing. The English people were taking re-
freshments by themselves. I saw the prisoner. I was going
out of the bar to go home. It might be from six to half-
past, and the prisoner met me -at the door of the bar and
struck me full in the lace with his fist, and knocked me
backwards. There was then a rush into the bagatelle-room.
I was knocked down.

Mr Knox—You were knocked down, and the rush come
pleted it ?

Witness—Yes.
Mr Knox—How long did you stop on the ground
Witness—l do not know.

By Mr Wakeling—l was stunned. I saw the constable
go into the room and bring out the prisoner. I did not see
the man that was struck.

Richard Mellowship, 42, Coldbath-square—l am a button-
maker. On Monday night I was at the Golden Anchor,
kept by Mr Shaw, Saffron-hill. I was in the bagatelle-
room between six and seven. I knew the deceased. He
was there, and stood by the side of me. The prisoner rushed
inta the room first, with several behind him ; all Italians.
I saw the prisoner strike the deceased in the stomach, and
the deceased fell to the ground. He was not picked up in
a moment. He had been stabbed, and his bowels cut out.
I did not see anything in his hands. I mean the prisoner.
My wife said, !‘ Oh come away; you will be murdered."
I then saw the blood. She was near enough to the deceased
to have got the blood from him. It was on her shawl.
By Mr Knox—l went out of the house, but I was obliged
to run in again, as the house was surrounded by Italians
shouting "Garibaldi for ever." When the rush came the
deceased had just finished singing a song, and the prisoner,
without having a word with him, struck the deceased, and
he fell.

John Liddle—l live at 10, South-square, Gray's Ina.-
road. I am a French polisher. I was at the Golden Anchor,
Great Saffron-hill, about six or seven when this disturbance
took place. I knew the deceased, Harrington. lie sat
next to me. I sang the first song, and he sang the last. It
was in the bagatelle-room. There were some twelve or
fourteen in the room. There were no Italians in the room.
The deceased called upon me for a song. I then gave
"The Ship's Carpenter." The deceased sang a song
just after it. The prisoner came in. I saw him strike Mrs
King. He met her at the door and struck her. It knocked
her down. Then he rushed in and struck the deceased, who
had just risen from the first seat near the fireplace. He
struck him on the stomach. The deceased fell on the floor.
Deceased had not said a word before he was struck by the
prisoner. Two constables came, who took prisoner into
custody. Several other Italians followed into the room. I
myself struck the prisoner with a stick. The deceased said,
" I am stabbed," when he fell from the effect of the blow,
whereupon I struck prisoner with a stick. Another man
struck him, and he fell, and we held him till the police
came.

Mr W. King, 28, Leather-lane—l am the husband of
Maria King. I was at the Golden Anchor on Monday about
6 or 7. I was in the bagatelle-room. There was a company
of us there. I saw the prisoner there. I did not see him
strike my wife. I picked her up. I went out, and I found
that somebody had etruck my wile. Harrington, the de-
ceased, was there, I saw the prisoner come into the room.
I was knocked down in a struggle. I was knocked down
behind the door.

Mr Knox—Did you, or did you not see the prisoner and
the others come into the room f'

Witness—Yes. When I got up I saw the prisoner on the
top of Harrington. I laid hold of him, and held him till
he was given in charge. I did not see any blood,
Mr Knox—Were there any words passed before this took
place ?
Witnesa—No.

Richard Fawell, 425 A—On Menday night between 6
and 7, I was passing down Saffron-hill, by the Golden
Anchor, when my attention was called by Mr Shaw to a
disturbance in the house. I went in, and I there saw the
prisoner and several others in the taproom breaking up one
of the seats. I went out and called Police-constable 157 G.
We wont in, and in going into the bagatelle-room 1 saw
Alfred Rebbick following the prisoner. Rebbiek said,
" That man has stabbed me." We wont into the room and
found the prisoner in custody of Mr King. Harrington was
lying in a corner. aed 1 was told that he had been stabbed.
I said I would take the prisoner into custody for assaulting
Rebbick. He became vary violent. I told him that he was
charged with stabbing Rebbick. He answered me some-
thing in Italian, which Ido not understand. Tho prisoner
Wm conveyed to the police station. Afterwards I took him
to St. Bartholomew's Hospital. I saw Harrington under
the hands of the surgeon. He was the same man who was
pointed out to rn® as Michael Harrington in the bagatelle
room.

Mr Knox—Did you tell him in the bagatelle room that
you took him in charge for the assault upon Rebbick ?
Witness—No, I told him in the street. He became very
violent.
William Abott, 137 G—On Monday night there was a
disturbance at the Golden Anchor, Saffron Hill. I went in,
and found the prisoner in the custody of King.
Faithful, 158 G—On Monday I was called to the Golden
Anchor. I saw Michael Harrington, whom I knew. It was
about half-past six or seven. He was lying in the bar par-
lour insensible. I lifted up his shirt and saw his bowels
protruding. I got a cab, took him to St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, and delivered him to Mr Peerless, the surgeon.
I produce the trousers worn by the deceased, which I took
off his body—the mark or cut there corresponds with the
wound on deceased's body.
Sergeant Baldock, 1 G—On Monday night, at about a
quarter to 8, the prisoner was brought to the Clerkenwell
police court, by Constables Fawell and Elliott. He was
charged with stabbing a man. I told him I should detain
him at the station until I ascertained that the man was
dead, and if dead he would be charged with murder. I
asked him if he understood English. He answered "Yes."
I then examined his hands. His right hand was covered
with blood. There was an old knife upon him, and it ap-
peared not to have been opened for some time. I pointed
out blood on his hands, and he said " I only protected my-
self." I afterwards told him he was charged with the
wilful murder of Michael Harrington, by stabbing him in
the belly with a knife, and also assaulting and cutting two
other persons. He said, "I never use knives."
Inspector Thomas Potter, G division, said—ln conse-
quence of information received from last witness I conveyed
the prisoner in a cab to,St Bartholomew's Hospital, accom-
panied by Sergeant Baldock and other constables. I found
the man recognised by the officers as Harrington in bed, In
consequence of what the doctor told me I said to Herring-
ton, " Will you listen to me ?" He went off in a dose. I
then said, "Can you hear what I am saying" He said
" Yes." I said, " The doctor who is now present says you
have but a short time to live, and I want you to answer a
few questions." He then said, "If lam to die God have
mercy on me." He repeated that several times. I then
asked him to look at several men near the bed. He said,
"Oh, let me die quiet." I then said, "Where are you hurt ?"
He said, "In the belly; for God's sake untie my belly," I
again asked him to look round the bed to see if he knew
anyone. He then looked round, and pointing to the prisoner
said, " That's the man who done it; him with the black
moustache, I hope God will forgive him." I then said,
"Will you take this pen and sign this statement ?" He said,
"No, God bless him."

Mr Knox—Did the prisoner make any statement to this ?
Witness—l showed the prisoner a note I had taken. He
said I don't understand English.
Mr John Peerless—On Monday, about seven, the de-
ceased was brought to the hospital by 158 G. lie was in a
state of great collapse, produced by shock and loss of blood.
I examined him. I saw four feet of intestines protruding
from a wound near the naval. There were four wounds in
the intestines. There had been a great deal of bleeding. I
closed the wounds in the intestines and returned them.
About nine o'clock the inspector came. At that time the
deceased was conscious. I told Yna he was dying. He
would not believe it. At last I convinced him of it. I
asked him if he had got any statement to make. He said,
"If I must die God forgive me." I asked if he could point
out the man who wounded him. He replied to the effect
that he did not wish to hang him, and hoped God would
forgive him, as he did. He afterwards pointed out the pri-
soner as the man who had done it. He refused to sign the
paper tendered by the inspector. The prisoner was then
removed.
Mr Knox—When did the deceased die ?

Witness—About half-past 3. I have no hesitation in
saying that death was caused by the wound in the bowels.

Mr Knox (to Inspector.retter)—Had the deceased any
chir ren ?

Mr Potter—He leaves a widow and five children totally
utverovided for. He was about 38 years of age, and was a
costermonger.
Mr Knox—Something must be done for her. Before I
leave the court I will give directions about her. In all pro-
bability the prisoner will have to be brought here on an-
other charge. I will therefore remand him.
The prisoner was then removed.
Mr Knox directed £5 from the poor-box to be placed in
Mr Potter's hands for the use of the deceased's family.
In order to prevent the recurrence of stabbing outrages
on Saffron-hill, Mr Potter has placed extra men in that
district.

Execution at Stafford.
Yesterday Richard Hale, aged 30, who was condemned
with his paramour Cicilia Baker, also aged 30, at the Staf-
ford Winter Assizes for the murder of Eliza Sillitoe, aged
between 5 and 6 years, at Coseley, in South Staffordshire,
was hanged in front of the Stafford county gaol; and with
him suffered Charles Brough, aged 24, a miner, who,
at the same assizes, was condemned for the murder of Geo.
Walker at Bignall-hill, North Staffordshire.
The spectators numbered about 6,000, many fewer than
at the last execution, when a young man named Brandrick
was executed for the murder of a tradesman at Bilston.
Some of the crowd took up their places during the night,
but most of the people began to assemble at 6 o'clock ) es.
terday morning.
At ha'f-past seven the procession was formed at Hale's
cell, and moved to a room adjoining the hospital, into
which room Brcugh, who has been an invalid frcm the
tittle of his arrest, had just before been removed from the

sick ward. In the presence of Major Thorneycroft, the
High Sheriff of the county—Major Mulford, the governor
of the gaol— the Rev. Mr Vincent, the chaplain—the Rev.
Mr Eastman, !he assistant-chaplain, and others. both men
were pinioned by the hangman, a shoemaker of Dudley,
named Smith, and the procession moved to the foot of the
gallows, the culprits repeating the usual Litany. Arrived
at the point named, the chaplain, addressing Hale, said,
" In a few moments you will have to stand in the presence
of Almighty God. I adjure you, I implore you, not to die
with a lie upon your lips, but to tell the truth. Are you
guilty of the murder of Eliz a Sillitoe ?"

Hale—l am quite innocent.
The Chaplain—When did you last see her alive?
Hale—At half•past 12 on the previous night.
The Chaplain—And you say you are innocent ?
Hale—•l am.
The Chaplain—So help you God ?
Hale—So help me God I
The Chaplain—May the Lord have mercy on your soul
Hale—Amen.

In reply to a further question put to him by another per-
son in the procession as to his :guilt or innocence, Hale
said, " Thie i 3 the place to test me. I am innocent." The
scanlcl was then ascended, and Mile and Brough soon
ceased to exist on this earth.

On Saturday last Hale requested to be allowed to see the
woman Baker. The application was complied with, but the
interview did not last many minutes. Before it had termi-
nated Baker said that she was innocent, and she besought
Hale, if ,he were guilty, to confess it. Hale denied that
he was guilty. On Monday he was visited by his rela-
tives, who urged him to confess his guilt if he had com-
mitted the crime. Hale resolutely re-asserted his film,
cenee in this matter, and added the following iai,
precation, " I hope my soul may go and burn in hell if what
I say is not the truth 1" Ever since his conviction his chief
source of grief has seemed to be that he could not make the
people about him believe his protestations of innocence. To
Mr Vincent, the chaplain, by whom he was interrogated at
the last, Hale had previously said, "It grieves me very
much to think you will net believe me innocent." He had
been very attentive to the religious instructions of the chap •
lain all through his confinement. Brough seemed unmoved
by his pobition,his only anxiety being to satisfy the craving
of his disease by frequent eating. The offence for which
Hale has suffered is fresh in the recollection of our readers.
With Cecilia Baker, he was condemned for the murder of
his own child, named Eliza Sillitoe, the daughter before
marriage of' the unhappy woman, whose melancholy death
through the neglect of Hale is mentioned below.
On the 20th of July last Hale and Baker were seen by a
barber of Coseley with a child in a cornfield. A portion of
the wheat was trod down, and Hale and his paramour sat
down. She had the child, and, throwing her towards Hale,
turned her own face away. The child got away from her
father, but he fetched her back and threw her down. He
then knelt down himself, but whether or not on the child
the witness could not tell. Hale then drew a handkerchief
from his pocket; the child shrieked, her voice became
choked, and her cries seemed to die away. These facts were
not !Lade known until some time after the 2d Angust,when
a workman passing through the field with his dog, through
the sagacity of the animal, the child's decomposed body,
lying with a hat by her side, and her boots, with the socks
tucked into them, by her feet, in the 'standing corn,at a spot
up to which, but not beyond it, a pathway had been made
by the corn being trodden, Nine days after the murder Hale
and Baker were seen together at that part of the cornfield
where the body was lying. A quantity of blood was found
on the child's clothes, especially near the neek, and a hand-
kerchief, which had also been saturated with blood, and
then crushed together in the hand,was found some distance
away from the standing corn. This handkerchief was round
the child's neck when she was last seen alive,and the analyst
who examined the handkerchief for blood found a short cut
in one corner, and a portion of a single hair on the edge of
the cut. Hale was shown to have behaved cruelly
to the child ; he said his love for it had left him, and that
if it were not for that (meaning the child) he could leave
this country.

It does not seem easy to account for the plan of murder
adopted by Halo and Baker. There ig, however, room to
conclude that it was suggested to them in the fact that
some three or four years ago a brother of B ale was out with
a dog, and the animal discovered the decomposed body of a
child in the very field in which the witness Jones first saw
Hale and .Iliker leading the child they were then about to
murder, The child that Hale's brother found was never
identified; indeed, little remained that could be identified,
the legs alone of the corpse remaining entire. And yet, if
Hale and Baker had desired that such a termination might
follow their offence, one might have expected them to re-
move the child's hat and boots. This difficulty, however,
was met by the learned Judge before whom the culprits
were tried, who, in sending the case to the jury, and in re-
marking upon this feature of th 4 case, observed that such