The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-22 00:00:00

THE GLASGOW MURDER.

The trial of Jessie M'Lachlan, for the murder of Jessie
M'Pherson, was commenced at Glasgow on Wednesday,
before Lord Dens. It will be remembered that on Monday
afternoon, the 7th July, it was discovered that Jessie
McPherson aged 38, servant to Mr. John Fleming, accoun-
tant, residing at 17, Sandyford-place, Glasgow, had been
cruelly murdered. The family were living at Dunoon at
the time, and the male portion of the household, with one
exception, had gone down on the previous Friday afternoon
to join the other part of the family, leaving old Mr. Flem-
ing and the deceased (Jessie M'Pherson) alone in the
house. At four o'clock on Saturday morning lgr. F era'
ing heard sounds proceeding from the sunk flat ; butt
thinking there was nothing wrong, he paid no attention to
it. The deceased was not afterwards seen alive; and on
Monday afternoon, when Mr. John Fleming came h,,me,
search was made, and her body was found, fearfully man-
gled, with several deep gashes on the head, lying in her
own bed-room, the floor of which was covered with gore.
Immediately the most energetic and patient investigation
was made into the whole circumstances of the case.
Little light, however, was cast upon it for several days.
There had been some money and silver plate taken from
the house on the night of the murder, and this vas
found the following Wednesday forenoon in a pawn-
office in East Ciyde-street, where it had been pledged
admittedly by the prisoner M'Lachlan, who was
apprehended in her lodgings on the Sunday following.
Some days after, clothing belonging to the deceased, after
several journeys by rail, was given up to the authorities by
the prisoner's husband; ar,d subsequently bloody rags were
found at Hamilton, which are supposed to have belonged to
the prisoner M'Lachlan. After three examinations before
the sheriff, the prisoner was committed for trial on a charge
of murder and theft. The prisoner, Jessie M'Lachlan, left
her home at Inverness about nine years ago, and came to
Glasgow, where she got employment as a domestic servant.
After having filled several situations she entered the service
of Mr. John Fleming, Sandyford-place, with whose family
she remained for several years. It was at this period that
she made the acquaintance of the deceased, Jessie M'Pher-
son, with whom she was then a fellowservant. The two
servants agreed admirably together; indeed much more so
than usual. The prisoner left that place about four or five
years ago, being married out of the house to J. M'Lachlan,
who is a native of Greenock. She is described by those
who have known her best as a woman of unblemished re-
putation—even of a religious turn of mind, and especially
as a person of quiet and reserved disposition. Old Mr.
Fleming had remained in the house from Saturday morning
till Monday evening without taking any notice of the ab-
sence of the deceased, notwithstanding the screams be had
heard, and he was consequently the first person suspected
of the crime, He was apprehended on the charge, but was
afterwards liberated. Sevet al witnesses were examined on
Wednesday, among whom was old Mr. Fleming, who was
in the witness box for two hours. He steadfastly declared
that no thought of foul play ever entered his head. He
thought the deceased had gone to visit some of her friends.