The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-25 00:00:00

THE EXAMINATION BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES.

The prisoner was brought up for examination at the
Moot-hall, Wirksworth, yesterday (Monday), at 10 o'clock
in the forenoon. The hall was densely crowded, and the
greatest interest was manifested in the proceedings. The
magistrates on the bench were E. Radford, Mr. N. P.
Wood, Mr. A. F. Hurt, Mr. E. Wilmot. The prisoner was
brought into court by Superintendent Burton and inspec-
tor Milne, and he at once entered into conversation with the
solicitor who had been retained to defend him—Mr. S.
Leech, of Derby. He appeared to be perfectly calm and
collected, and after a long conversation with Mr. Leech, sat
down in the seat provided for him. He is oft 9in. in
height, and has a most gentlemanly bearing, From time
to time he gazed round the crowded room, and to all out-
ward appearance was the most unconcerned person in the
place. Before any evidence was taken,
Mr. Superintendent Burton said a letter was sent by the
prisoner to the murdered girl, but he declined to give it up
unless the magistrates wished it. The letter would show
that the act was premeditated.

Mr. Leech said he could not resist the application if the
magistrates wished it to be produced.
Mr. Radford, senior magistrate—By all means send for
the letter.

The magistrates then sent a written request to Capt. Good•
win to forward it. The letter was received by the unfortu•
nate young lady on the morning of the murder.

The first witness called was the Rev. Herbert Harris,
head master of the Wirksworth grammar school, who said,
I knew the deceased. Her name was Elizabeth Caroline
Goodwin. She was 22 years of age. The prisoner, whom I
knew, called upon me about half- past 1 o'clock on Friday
last. He said he had called upon me as a friend of Miss
Good win's. I saw him for the first time about 6or 7 months
ago. Prisoner said "I suppose you know of the engagement
between Miss Goodwin and myself." I said I was certainly
not aware of it. I understood that there had been an en-
gagement, but that it had been broken off. Prisoner said,
" She has written to me to break off the engagement and re-
fuses to see me. I wish to know how matters stand." I said,
" Anything that I know is in confidence, therefore my
tongue is tied." Prisoner said, " who is this clergyman
that has been staying at Wigwell?" I replied "A clergyman
has been staying at Wigwell, but I decline to give his
name." He asked me if Miss Goodwin was at Wigwell, and
I replied that "I believed she was, as I had seen her there
on Wednesday." Prisoner said, "Sooner or later I must see
her. I have set her free, but I must hear from her own lips
that she gives up the engagement. She is of age and at
liberty to please herself. I know I am not a good match, and I
do not wish to stand in her way." Prisoner then took some
refreshment with me, it was 2 o'clock. I told hire I must go
to school, and if he would call again at half-past 4 o'clock I
would see him again. He called again at half-past 4, and I
told him I thought that the best plan would be to write a
note to Miss Goodwin, post it, and ask for an interview the
next morning, or if he went up to Wigwell that night, I
had no doubt she would see him. He said he would do so,
and on leaving my door he asked me if I should be in all
the evening. I replied that I should. Prisoner said he
would call on me again. That was the last thing that
passed between us. I can't answer the question of Miss
Goodwin being engaged to a clergyman, excepting from
hearsay.

Mr. Leech—Your acquaintance with Townley was ex
tremely slight ?
Witness—l only saw Mm once before last Friday.

Elizabeth Margaret Poyzer said—l am housemaid at
Captain Geodwin's. I know the prisoner. He came to
Wigwell Grange at 20 minutes to 6 o'clock on Friday even-
ing last. I opened the door, and prisoner said, "Is Miss
Goodwin in ?" I replied, " Yes." He asked to see her. I
went and told Miss Goodwin, and she said, " Tell him to
walk in." I knew the prisoner, and mentioned his name to
Miss Goodwin. Miss Goodwin met him at the drawing-
room door. I heard Miss Goodwin say, " How do you do ?"
He remained in the library with her about two minutes,
and they then both went out to walk together. I went
down the garden walk in about half an hoar afterwards,
and saw them on a seat together. I told Miss Goodwin

that she was wanted, and she replied, " I am coming to. get
tea." I then returned to the house, and Miss Goodwin
followed me. Miss Goodwin went out of the house again
at a quarter to 7 o'clock, and she told me that I must fetch
her to tea in half an hour afterwards. I did so, and found
Miss Goodwin at the bottom of the walk with Townley. I
told Miss Goodwin that tea was ready, and she said she
would come directly. I next saw Miss Goodwin at 20
minutes to 9 o'clock the same evening. She was being
carried by some men into the house. She was laid on the
kitchen floor. She was dead.

Reuben Conway, labourer, repeated the evidence he gave
before the coroner. He was going home in the direction for
Longway Bank, near to Captain Goodwin's house; heard a
moaning noise, and ran down the hill. Saw Miss Goodwin
on the turnpike road; she was guiding herself by the bank
and wall as well as she could, She was coming towards
home.

Mr. Leech—Was the man within hearing at this time ?
Witness—l did not see him.

Mr. Leech—Then, you can't take that evidence.

Witness-1 noticed there was a quantity of blood on Miss
Good win's face. She said, " Take me home ; there is a
gentleman down there that has cut my throat." I put my
arm round her, and walked with her about 20 yards. I then
put her down, and seeing a man I left Miss Goodwin and
went towards him. The man (prisoner) came towards me.
I asked him if he was the man who had murdered Miss
Goodwin, and he replied " I have stabbed her; she has
proved false to me." He accompanied me to Miss Goodwin,
and the latter said, " Take me home; I am dying." Prisoner
asked me to help to carry her. He took hold of her head and
I laid hold of her body. We carried her some distance, and
then put her down on the road. The prisoner then tried to
atop the bleeding. He asked me if I had anything to put
round her neck to stop the bleeding, and I replied that I had
not. lie then asked me to go for some one, and said he
would stop with Miss Goodwin until I got back. I then
went to Mr. Bowrrter's yard. There was a lad in the yard
named Stephen Pickering, and I sent him for a policeman
and a doctor. I got a lantern and returned to Miss Goodwin.
The prisoner was sitting by the side of her, holding some-
thing round her head and neck. I said, "Is she living."
He replied " She is." Miss Goodwin again said, "Take me
home." Prisoner and I then carried her, he holding her
head and I her body. Prisoner walked first sideways.
Whilst we were carrying her Mr. Seeds came up and asked
what we had amiss and who had done it. 1 told him, and
prisoner said " I have." Mr. Seeds and his brother then
helped me and the prisoner to carry Miss Goodwin into the
hall. We also met James Conway, who asked me who had
done it. The prisoner replied, " I know and he knows.
I have done it, and shall be hanged for it." Whilst we
were carrying Miss Goodwin she said she was dying,
and I told her to pray to the Lord to have mercy on her
soul. She then said " Lord have mercy on me," seve-
ral times. Prisoner kept saying " Poor Betsy," and
kissed her several times, We met Mr. Bowmer on the
road before we got to the hall gates. Mr. Bowmer asked
who had done it, and prisoner replied, " I have done it ;
there is no question at all about that." When he had car-
ried ber about 10 yards further the prisoner kissed her and
said, ,g I doubt she is dead." Miss Goodwin was dead at
that time. On going down the coach road we met Ann
dPoonyez e
itr, and Captains
OGn oe
ro dr we
pi nl
i.e d
Ih
de
dcaptainhaskedt
a whoinasked had
the prisoner who he was, and he replied, "My ',Arne is
i George Townley." We then carried the body nto the front
i
kitchen. After we got into the house the prisoner went nt ,
the captain's drawing-room with him.
By Mr. Leech—I saw prisoner several times last Christ-
mas at the hall gates, and with Miss Goodwin. I believe he
was staying at the hall at that time.
George Seeds, shoemaker (who was not examined at the