The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-03 00:00:00

The Horrible Murder in Staffordshire.

Yesterday the inquest was resumed at the Spread Eagle
Coseley, before Mr W. H. Phillips, deputy-coroner for the
Wolverl,arnptondistrietof Staffordshire, on the body of Eliza
Siletto, aged about 6 years, who was found dead, and her
body in a decomposed state, in a field of wheat at Coseley.
On the discovery, suspicion at once attached to the girl's
father, a miner, named Richard Hale, who had been im-
prisoned on the charge of causing tho death, by neglect, of
the child's mother, whom, atter the birth of the child, he
married. He was known to have uttered threats against
the child, and to have desired her death. After Hale's
arrest a woman was also taken into custody, named Cecilia
Baker, with whom he has recently cohabited, and who was
seen by two witnesses coming out of the cornfield in com-
pany with Baker, from a point near to the spot where the
body was after wards found, and during the time that it must
have been lying there.

Three witnesses now deposed that the two prisoners were
together at a coal wharf, where the woman worked, not far
from the field, but that they did not go from the wharf dur-
ing the time that it had been deposed they were seen together
in the field.

Dr Wrightson, analyst, of Birmingham, a late professor
at the Sydenham College there, deposed that he had com-
pleted his investigation of the clothes, as well as the hand-
kerchief that was known to be round the child's neck during
her life. He had found blood upon several parts of the
dress of the deceased, as well as upon the handkerchief. He
had found blood upon the ribbon of the bonnet hnd upon
several parts of the frock. He found blood very distinctly
on the front part of the dress, on the chest. He had also
opened out the silk handkerchief, and he found that towards
one corner of it there was the mark of a cutting instru-
ment. It was of about an inch or an inch and a quarter in
length, and was at a point where the blood had stained the
handkerchief. He had not examined the edges of the cut
with the microscope, but he could speak positively to the fac t
that it was a clean cut, and not a tear or a worn hole. It
was such a cut as might have been caused with a knife. lie
also found a pin in the handkerchief, with which it had ap-
parently been fastened round the neck of the deceased. He
also examined a portion of the material composing the
trousers which Hale wore at the last inquest. He found on
the portions that he examined slight stains as of blood that
had been washed out, and he also found evidences of a slight
smear as of blood in another part of the material. He found
that he could not detach any portion of the substance ,from
these marks, and he could only examine them by submit-
ting them to chemical solutions, for the purpose of testing
by examination with the microscope. He had since ex-
amined the solutions so obtained chemical re-agents, and
although he found indications of blood by those tests, yet
he did not find them sufficiently strong or sufficiently con-
firmed by the microscope as tc enable him to affirm that
there were any marks of blood. The soil that had been given
him as having been found beneath the body also contained
blood. He had come to the conclusion that the blood upon
the handkerchief was human blood. Of this he had no
doubt, and in coming to that conclusion he had examine d
the blood of sheep and oxen. There were two light-coloure d
hairs near to the cut in the handkerchief, which were of a
similar character to the hair on the scalp. He had calcu-
lated that the blood which had been absorbed by the hand-
kerchief weighed two ounces, but that would represent only a
small portion of the blood that flowed over the handkerchief.

A witness, who at the last inquest deposed that he saw
the prisoners together near to the field, and not far from the
spot where the body was found, on the day on which the
witnesses mentioned above said that they both retnainea
at the coal wharf all day, now added that since the adjourn-
ment ho had since examined the place, and had come to the
conclusion that he saw them in the field itself, nearer to the
body than he had at first imagined.
The Coroner in reviewing the evidence, called the attontion
of the jury to the fact that the handkerchief, saturated with
blood, was found some distance from the child, compressed
together, as though it had been thrown there—that the
child was lying with her hat off, and placed by her side,
and with her shoes and stockings off, the shoes being also
placed by her side, and the stockings tucked in them. It
was therefore conclusive that the deceased had not been
struck down by lightning, and if she had it would have
been impossible, the surgeons had deposed, for so much
blood to have flown from the corpse if it had afterwards
been attacked by vermin. Then both the surgeons had
given it as their opinion that the copious quantity of blood
had flown from a wound before death, on or about the
throat.

After a brief consultation, the jury returned a verdict of
" Wilful Murder" against Richard Hale, the father of the
deceased. who was thereupon committed for trial at the next
Staffordshire Assizes—but he was afterwards taken, with
Baker, before tee magistrates at Bilston, who commenced an,
independent inquiry so soon as the prisoners were arreste4,
and who had remanded them until yesterday afternoon.
The prisoners were under examination at Bilston when our
report was despatched.

TRAGIC OCCURRENCE AT EDINBURGII..—Th e
Scotsman states that at a late hour on Tuesdalv
night a very mysterious occurrence took place at Edinburgh.
In the second storey of a large tenement situated in Rose-
street, there has lived for several years an old man, about
60 years of age, named Lindsay, a shoemaker, who has oc-
cupied a house consisting of a room, kitchen, and bedcloset.
His habits seem to have been somewhat eccentric. He kept
no servant, but cooked his own food, and performed, with-
out assistance, the domestic duties of, his small honsohold
His secluded and somewhat irregular mode of living was
not the result of poverty. He was a man of means; had
purchased three storeys of the tenement in which he re-
sided—and was regarded by the neighbours as occupying a
thriving worldly position. On Thursday, a young man,
aged 26, named Geo. Dowdle, an ivory turner, who is a
distant relation of Lindsay, at rived at Edinburgh, and took
up his abode with the old man in Rose-street. Dowdle, it
appears, has only recently returned from Australia, but for
what purpose he came to Scotland has not transpired. Since
Thursday, Dowdle and Lindsay have been living together,
and going about the city in company. On Tuesday they
house,
thhi
es
wlaisnteddowlonogf
12 the neighbours were slat mod
by
enough to roa!e several from sleep ; and just as some were
nhiagdhhetb,aereAinnbooouuattl
aoausdu quartersnuoaisl,e ppaan:eedotreedtumg returned
about demanding admittance to thebedroom
ofdroamboLuitndhsaalys
half past 11 at
as
of
men engaged in a violent struggle.
the shoemaker's house was suddenly thrown up, and Lind-
say appeared in his night clothes. His neck was streaming
with blood, and he was making vain attempts at articulation.
By this time the police had been attracted to the spot,
and were on their way up stairs when Dowdle ran down
and told them that the old man, his relative, had cut his
throat. On entering the place, Lindsay was found lying on
the sofa with a deep gash across his throat—a pillow satu-
rated with blood was lying in the middle of the room, and a
razor with a white handle, also displaying marks of blood,
was found not far off. The old man was unable to speak ;
but in reply to questions put to him he wrote down answers
on a slate. The substance of his communication was to the
effect that on entering his house that night, along with his
relative, ha had gone immediately to bed, and had been
awakened by feeling a razor drawn across his throat by
Dowdle. Springing from his bed he seized Dowdle, and the
struggle commenced which was heard by those in the
adjacent houses. Dowdle's version of the story is that the old
man had been in a desponding state of mind for the last three
days, and had threatened to make away with himself ; that
after shaving himself the previous day he had put the razor
in his pocket, carried it about with him, and, on entering
the house on Tuesday night, had cut his throat with it.
Medical assistance was promptly procured, and Lindsay's
wound dressed, and up till late on Wednesday night he
was going on favourably, although in a precarious condi-
tion. It is rumoured among the neighbours that Lindsay
kept a considerable amount of money, bank cheques,
in his house ; and it is also said that, when taken to the
police, about 60 sovereigns were found on the person of
Dowdle, who carried them in a belt strapped round his
waist. Dowdle was on Wednesday brought before the
police-court, and remitted to the Procurator Fiscal, who is
at present engaged making investigations into the matter.
t
A NEAT TRICK.—The following anecdote re•
specting the famous Eau de Cologne of Jean Marie
Farinaatn e real
claim to
b
A French gentleman, who was
recently in that city, being anxious to obtain a few bottles,
entered the handsomest of three fine shops, all pretending
mehypar hasi justnaBSimon a
o Pure.appearedoig n ein a a
all Frenchof
whom,
of :
course,- tt There aro
to sell the genuine perfume. After making a purchase, he
conjured the master of the establishment w say whether he
was indeed the real Farina. The shopkeeper seemed greatly
embarrassed, but at last confessed that he was not, and that
the real Farina kept the shop on the other side of the street.
The gentleman thanked him for his candour, and imwe-
diet ely made another purchase at the shop indicated. The
next day the Frenchman, happening. to pass through the
street iu company with a native of Cologne, related his ad-
venture, and was not a little astonished when his friend
exclaimed, "lhe rascal I why, the shop to which he recom-
tuended you is a branch establishment of his own.' "

THE PRICE OF AN OATH.—Oti Wednesday last,
at Winslow petty sessions, the sitting magistrates, P.
Dauncey, Esq., and W. S. Lowndes, Esq , inflicted a fine
of 4s and costs, amounting to 8s 6d, on Daniel Neal, a shoe-
maker of that place, for having uttered a profane oath,
whilst in a state of intoxication, on the 22d ult., and ordered
him, in default of payment, to be sent to gaol for ten days
with hard labour. lie was also fined ss, and Sa Gd costs
for getting drunk.

R. ALFRED MELLON'S CONCERTS
EVERY EVENING, at Eight.
W., YAL ITALIAi OPERA HOUSE, COVENT-GARDEN.
GRAND VOLUNTEER NIGHT.
Mr, Santley (for this night on y) ; Mdlle. C. Patti; Herr
-Harty igson, Mr. Levy. Mr. W. Wh,terbottom, A. Bonnis-
seau, and Ad Ben Sou-die. 'fhc Faust" Selection.
Orchestra of One Hundred Performers, and the Band of ;he
Coldstretzm Guards.
Conductor, Mr. ALFRED 31ELLON.
Promenade, Amphitheatre Stalls, and Amphitheatre, One
; Dress Circle, 25. 6d. ; Private Boxes, ~C 1 Is. and
10s. 6d.
On Monday next, a VERDI NICIHT.
On Wednesday night, First
stops.
nce of 31. Arban, the
ceebrated French Lornet-a- eiston
on Thursday next, the Second BEETHOVEN NIGHT.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. •
.717 its EvF,NING, BORN TO GOOD LUCK. Paddy
O'ltafferty, Mr. Dominick Murray.
Atter which, THE STEETS OF LONDON. Messrs.
Vioin,g, J. IV. Ray, D. Fl her. D. 3Larray, J. Nelson. H.
t'orre,ter. H. Mellon ; Mrs. Henry Marston, Miss Emma
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NtW THEATRE-RU YAL, ADELPHI.--
&ale ,Fronri&tor ano. Manager. Mr. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING, MY WIFE'S MAID. Mr. J. L. Toole
and Mrs. Alfred Mellon.
Followed by A WOMAN OF BUSINESS. 3lessrs. J. L.
Toole, Billington, and Mr,. Stirling.
Alter which, THE LIEN AND CEEICKS. -Messrs. Bil-
lington, Phillips, Eburne ; Mrs. Stir:ing-, Miss H.
lo conclude with THE ACTOR'S RETR,EAT. Messrs.
and Miss Woolgar.
J. L. Toole, P. Bedford, R.
Commence at 7.

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nll-IE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
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WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE:.
¶3is DAT.—Morting, 3h. 20m.—Afternoon, 3h. 33m,
o...mottßow.-Morning, 3h. 51m.—Afternoon. 4h. 4m

,
4
'IE) g A
IT,

LONDON, SATURDAY, SEPT. 3, 1864.

naval officers and ordinary mariners. As so large

In spite of the disappointment and delay occa
sioned by the catastrophe at Leicester, Mr.
GLAISIIER has jast published an account of the
twenty-second balloon ascent, which he has safely
accomplished. Although as yet the science of
meteorology is but in the infancy of its development,
we have good grounds for anticipating that rapid
progress will be made. The philosophers and men
of science of this ago have no longer the difficulties
to contend with which fettered the energies and
cramped the ambition of the wise men of old. The
nature of their labours is promptly recognised, and
in many cases they succeed in obtaining that offi-
cial assistance and encouragement which is seldom
accorded to merit in other walks of life. With re-
gard to meteorology more especially our authorities
are inclined to be favourable, since it is a science
which especially concerns the welfare of a mari-
time nation. Already the information diffused by
means of admiral FITZROY'S signals has been pro-
ductive of great good ; and, unquestionably, the
more we know of the ordinary course of storms and
hurricanes, and the better we can understand their
forewarning symptoms the more will the risks of
the sea be diminished, both to life and property.
All scientific knowledge to be accurate must bo
based upon experience. It is easy to descant upon
marvels that exist on:y in words if w e give no cor-
responding proof of their existence, Dr WIIEWELL,
in his admirable " History of the Inductive
SCieliCe3," has shown how the early Grecians bian.
dared from seeking to make facts fit to words,
instead of seeking for words to express facts. Their
speculations were daring, .their hypotheses most
ingenuous, but they were all, or nearly all, based
upon error, because they sought rather to lay down
the law to the schools than to verify their supposi-
tions. But they did good service in their way, it
it were only by teaching their scientific brethren
humility and caution; and now-a-days, if we ad-
vance less confidently, we do so more surely. The
plan of conducting meteorological observations in
the upper air is a bold and striking one, and gives
us reason to hope for some substantial results.
Coupled with the information collected in all parts
of the globe by our vessels at sea and our represen'
tatives on shore, the experience thus acquired will,
we trust, furnish some data for the guidance of

a proportion of toe lives annually lost at sea
are lost in the immediate vicinity of our
own shores, partly from the natural
dangers of the coasts, partly from the im-
mensity of our shipping, any additional knowledge
we may obtain resp.:eting the sudden changes and
fluctuations dour own atmosphere will be extremely
.„.3.inabie. Mr. CLAIMER'S narrative is moat inte-
re,ting. He left the earth at six minutes past four
in the afternoon, and reached the highest point-
-14,000 feat—at ten minutes to five. The first mile
was reached in foarteen minutes, the second at about
the same rate, the remaining distance occupying
sixteen minutes. There was no wind when the
balloon reached the greatest height, and it remained
at about the same altitude for more than a quarter
of an hour, during which time its occupants had a
clear survey of the world beneath them. There