The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-23 00:00:00

`MURIIIIR OF A LADY BYRE R RITSBANZP
A T _ROCHESTER.

On Tuesday morning the neighbourhood of lisy
Town, Rochester, was thrown into considerable conster•
nation, owing to a murder being committed at the reed-
donee of Mr. Holden, Union street, Troy Town.
It appears that Mr. George Henry Smith, who is
postmaster at Jersey,- came to Mr. Holden's with his
wife, on Saturday last, and took furnished lodgings for
the benefit of her health. Everything seemed to go ou
very comfortably; and during the time that Mrs.
Holden was cleaning the step of the door, about eight
o'clock on Tuesday morning, Mr. Smith came down
stairs and told her that he had killed his wife, and de-
' sired her to send for a policeman and a doctor. Mra.
Holden was much frightened at such a request, and
immediately sent to her neighbours. Mr. -Bevan, a
surgeon, of Ro-ebester, was quick in attendance, and
I also policeman Storey, of the Rochester police. The
surgeon on entering the bed-room found Mrs. Smith in
bed, with the bedclothes not the least disturbed, and to
all appearance asleep. On removing them hefound that
she had been shot in the back of the neck, and that her
skull was fractured. There was very little blood in the
bed. Mr. Smith was present, and he told Mr. Bevan
that he would find the pistols under the mattress, and
there they were found. One had been recently die.
charged, and the other was loaded with powder andtwo
bullets.
Mr. Smith was taken into custody, and be underwent
an examination at the Guildhall, before the mayor, Wm.
Manclark, Esq., and afull bench of magistrates, charges
with the murder. The prisoner declined saying anything,
and he was remanded.
On his being placed in the cell of the prison, be told
the policeman that he would find some letters at his
lodgings which wolltd-exitlen-everyth-ing. The prison
is about 45 years of age, rather bald, with very little
hair in front, and of a very respectable appearance. He
wears moustaches, and looks like a foreigner. It is
stated that he was placed in Hanwell Lunatic Asyltun
about six months ago, and he was considered per-
fectly harmless. His deceased wife is about 50 years
of age, and is said to be very respectably connected.
An inquest was held yesterday (Tuesday) at the
Guildhall, Rochester, by James Lewis, Esq., coroner.
Mr. and Mrs. Holden were examined, when the above
facts were given in evidence.
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surgeon.

HEROIC COURAGE OF A BRITISH
OFFICER.

Mr. Burke's body was found after the action in which
he lost his life with no less than 33 wounds upon it.
The Russians had taken his sword belt, but his sword
was found hidden in some long grass close to the corpse.
The ring finger of both hands was cut off. He wag
seen by the sapper who went with him fighting despe-
rately to the last, though surrounded by a horde of
Russians. When he first leapt on shore from the boat
six soldiers charged him. Two he shot with his re•
rolver, one lie cut down with his sword—the rest turned
and fled. While he was encouraging the Turks, who
were in the stream, to row quietly to the land, and
forming them in line as they landed, conspicuous
as he was in full uniform and by his white cap cover, a
number of riflemen advanced from behind a ditch, and
took deliberate aim at him. Poor Burke charged them
with headlong gallantry. As he got near he was struck
by a bail, which broke his jaw-bone, but he rubbed on,
shot three men dead .at e.lose quarters with his revolver,
and cleft two men through helmet and all into the brain
with his sword. He was then surrounded, and while
engaged in cutting his way with heroic courage through
the ranks of the enemy, a sabre cut from behind, given
by a dragoon as he went by, nearly severed his head
from his body ; and he fell dead, covered with bayonet
wounds, sabre gashes, and marked with lance thrusts
and bullet holes. The sapper who was with him stood
by Mr. Burke till the last, but could not save him. lie
is now only recovering from his wound and the effect of
his exertions.—A Varna letter of the 914.