The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-30 00:00:00

ribirb "Ztittton

SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock.

THE STAN FIELD-HAIL.

MURDERS.

TRIAL OF RUSH.
BY EXPRESS.-(THIS DAY.)

(FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)
NORWICH, TWELVE O'CLOCK.

Today, as yesterday, the greatest excitement pre•
vailed here with respect to this very remarkable trial.
It is the all•engrossing theme of conversation in the
town. As early as seven o'clock numbers of
persons began to congregate about the gates of
the castle. At eight the gates were opened,
and the rush that toJk place to get good ilaces
was, as may be imagined, vigorous in the extreme.
By half•past eight o'clock every available space was
filled. A number of respectably-attired ladies were
accommodated with seats in the galleries, and at the
rear :of the court. No:withstanding the crowd, the
utmost good order prevailed, owing to the admirable
arrangements of the Rev. Mr. Postell, the Chair.
mm of the Visiting Magistrates of tto gaol,
and Mr. Pfinian, the Governor. The accommodation for
the large number of gentlemen of the press from London
and from the local papers, and the courtesy ehown
towards them, deserve special commendation. A large
number of county magistrates were present. The jury,
who bad been provided with beds in a large room at the
March's Head Hotel, during the night, entered the box
at half-past eight.

A gentleman favoured me this morning with a copy
of a letter from Rue), to th© proprietor of the Bell
Inn, immediately before the opening of the Commissi( n.
It appears that Rus'i had been restricted as to diet in
the Castle during his incarceratio❑ in common with the
other prisoners, which rule is su-pended, I understand,
during the Commission hence the following strange
letter:—

" Norwich, March 24, 1849.
Sir,—You will oblige me by ordering my breakfast
this morning, and my dinner at the time your family
have theirs. Sand me anything you like, except beef;
and I should like cold as well as hot, and meal bread,
and the tea in a pint mug, if with a cover all the better.
I will trouble you to provide for me now, if you please,
till utter my trial; and if you could get me a small suck-
ing pig in the market to-day, and roast for me on Mon-
day. I should like the cord as well as hot after Monday,
and it would always be in readiness for me, as it will be
so uncertain what time I shall have for my meals after
Monday. Have the pig cooked the same as you usually
have, and send plenty of plumb sauce with it. Mr.
Persian will pay you for what I have. By complying
with the above you will very mach oblige your ha:la-
bia, servant, " JAMES B. Rust'.
" Mr. Leggatt, Bell Inn, Oxford-hill, Norwich."
The litter in which the unfortunate servant girl was
conveyed to the court yesterday was made by two lu-
natics, a turner and a carpenter, at Thorpe. As yes-
terday, a great number of persons were unable to obtain
witeission to the court, among whom, I understand,
were several of the most influential residents in the

county.
Rush entered the dock at nine o'clock, but retired
again to speak to some one. He looked a shade better
than yesterday, and more anxious.
Mr. Baron Rolfe took his seat on the bench at nine
o'clock precisely.
The prisoner was then placed in the dock, and delibe-
rately and systematically arranged his papers whilst the
jury was sworn. Ile appeareecollected, and during the
pause that ensued before the appearance of the first wit-
ness he carefully surveyed the audience.
Rush then applied to have the witnesses sent out of
coart, which was complied with. He also complained
that a new witness, named How, of bad character, was
to be brought against him. Would his Lordship instruct
the reporters to publish the man's character? Wherever
ho came from, he came from a bad place.
Mr. Baron ROLFE said he had no influence over the
reporters. He might bring forward evidence to show
that the witness was unworthy of credit, but that was
not the proper time to do so. He could take no heed
then of what ho had said with respect to the witness.
Rush persisted in saying that William Frederick How
was a person of bad character, and trusted that those
who could prove that he was what he said would come
forward. It was too bad to bring such a witness forward,
more especially as he had had no previous notice. This
was the first time he had heard his name in these pro-
ceetlings. _

Mr.. Baron RoLFE said he could not bear him in the
matter at that stage of the inquiry.
Emily Sandford was call( d, but from some cause she
did not appear. After a pause of some minutes,
Edward Harvey, a carpenter, at Wymondham, was
called. On Tuesday evening, the 28th of November,
about half past seven, ho and three others went from
Wymondham to the hall. It took him about
fifty minutes to walk, as it is two or three
miles. Mary Clarice, the laundrymaid, John Dodd, and
Thomas Howe were with him. There is a gate at the
outer side of the bridge near the ball over the moat
which surrounds the hall. The gate is thirty or thirty-
ffve yards from the door of the hall. When we got up
to the gate Mary Clarke went into the house. I stood
at the gate. Shortly afterwards he came out again,
accompanied by one of the maids. I opened the gate to
let Holmes and Leach through. I was then looking
direct towards the hall. I perceived a flash; it came
more from the left side of the prch locking from
the bridge than on the left. I could see
the porch. I saw a figure. I saw a light after as if com-
ing apparently from the hall. I heard a door shut very
loudly. The others had walked on towards Kettering-
ham. I followed them, and had gone a little way fur-
ther, about forty-five yards from the house. I heard a
second report, but not so loud as the first. I did not see
any flash. I proceeded on. Before I did so I heard the
alarm-bell ring.
Rush here asked when the witness left Wymondham;
being sitting at the time,

Mi.. Baron ROLFE remarked, that it was usual for
counsel and prisoners to address the Court and the
witnesses standing. He had observed that the
prisoner had not. done so either to, day or yesterday. If
there was any reason for his sitting he would permit
him; but if not he saw no reason why he should not
adopt the usual course.
Rush rose, and said he had sat for the convenience of
reverence to his papers. He could state no reason why
he should sit; he would therefore stand.
The prisoner cross-examined the witness—Mary
Clarke went into the house for a few minutes. The
night was very dark ; not so dark, however,
as to prevent him from distinguishing a person
whom he met. There were trees about the hall, which
made the place darker than the open space. He
saw a spark of wadding fly up ten or twelve feet af:er he
beard the first retort. Had never been examined before a
magistrate, and had never signed his name to the depo-
sition he bad made : was examined before the Coroner,
We all stood near the gate whilst Clarke went
into the house. The figure, I think, was on the
left side of the porch, and a yard or two from
it. We were talking and laughing at the time we
heard the report. From the time we arrived at the
gate until the first shot was fired about eight minutes
elapsed. I think it was the porch door I heard slammed,
I had not quite overtaken the others when I heard the
second report. I believe that a light appeared in the
porch after the first shot. Ido not think I could have
distinguished a person passing by the light; there is
room for a person to pass by the window, which was high,
without obstructing a light, and pass away without being
observed. lam sure it was a door that was slammed. I
had got from 150 to 200 yards from the hall before I
hoard the alarm bell. Clarke had gone with a message
to Mrs. Jenny. I saw no one from the time I left
Wymondham Lodge till I got to Kettering, except those
I have mentioned.
Emily Sandford was then called. She was dressed
in mourning and looked very pale. She was quite col-
lected and firm.
Rush hastily rose after she had been sworn and said,
the witness could prove his innocence—he felt it his
duty to say this, for ho possessed in such a matter as
this a higher power than his Lordship.
Mr. Baron ROLFE said he would hear her evidence—
if she committed perjury she was liable to punishment.
The whole case was for the jury to judge. If he could
satisfy the jury of his innocence no one would be more
glad than himself.

Emily Sandford, examined by Mr. PRENDERGA ST—
She said she became acquainted with Rush two years
ago, and came down to reside with him at Stanfield Hall.
In February, 1848, they went to London at No. 2, Milne-
street, Islington. She went by the name of James. On the
3d of October she remembered persons named Lamer,
Thomas Jenny, and Richard Read, coming there at seven
in the evening. Some writings were produced ; they
were in her handwriting. (The witness frequently
looked at the prisoner, but only for a moment at a time,
when she withdrew her gazn. Her look on these occa-
sions evinced much pity and concern.) Rush had pre-
viously told her to copy the document. She did so, and
he gave it to her. When tha parties above-named came
frome the time she wrote it. It was read over aloud by
One whom she could not no,v remember.
ShTeiaseawwlnlet::e parties put their signatures to it.
as here asked to move her chair forward.
Bush suggested that uhe should have a footstool. The
itness burst •a
and repeatedly looked at
Rush with muehcto°,,ete es,
concern.
4. footstool was brought.
Examination continue
put her name to it alter
they were all gone, at Rush's request. Mr. Rush .was to
pay the expense of transmitting the papers to the coun-
try. Mr. Jermy and Mr. Lumer
were cousins
, m
The three left at nine o clock; she never saw any of th •
after, except Bead. Next_ day
but one, the sth cameto
Norwich by Mr. them
after, direction. He had left on the
4th. She understood from him that she was to go to the
Bowling-green Inn, Norwich. Rush met her at the
railway station, and took her in a gig to Potash farm.
The witness was under examination when our report
left. Her examination will doubtless last several hours.
As a ,•111/79E-Pwithe,s,ses have yet 10 be examined, it is
&Ai to” • trefet4iiietnal-will be over bf-fore Monday.
LC IC TELEGRAPH.)
--;
• (itt03t,,01.721-OWN REPORTED..)
ji`ji',,SORNVICH, Six O'CLOCK.
• f of Easily Sandford, who
gitintliateilek as the trial proceeded, was
••
14 ill