The Sun.
London, England, 1840-03-18 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD CIRCUIT.—SrArpoRn, Mascn 16.
James Owen, George Thomas, alias Dobell, and William
Ellis, alias Lambert, were indicted for the wilful murder of
Christina Collins, by drowning her at Rugeley, on the 17th of
June, 1839.

The evidonce given in support of this charge was for the
greater part nearly the same as that given in support of the
indictment for rape against the same prisoners at the last
Assizes, of which they were acquitted.
It appeared that the deceased, who was the wife of Robert
Collins, was proceeding from Liverpool to London by one of
Pickford's fly boats in order to join her husband. who had re-
cently obtained employment in London. She left Liverpool on
Saturday, June 15. She was seen at noon the next day, Sunday,
at Stoke-upon-Trent,w•here the boat remained four hours. Owen
was the captain, Dobell and Lambeth, with a toy named Mus-
son, were the crew. Upon their arriving at Stone, at 8 o'clock
the same evening, the woman complained to the canal clerk
of the state 01 the crew, who were all intoxicated, particu-
larly Owen. She went on with them, however, and about
9 o'clock the boat was met by another on its way from Stone,
to the captain of which Dobell used some gross expressions
respecting the woman, saying he would serve her that night
as Jemmy had served her, or they would burke her. About
12 o'clock at night the wife of the lockkeeper at Hoomill-lock,
which is mine miles from Stone, was awoke by a cry of dis-
tress ; she rose, and going to the window, saw the boat in
the lock with the woman on the top of the cabin crying. She
was sitting with her legs over the side of the cabin, and the
witness heard her say, Don't attemp', me ; I will not go
down." In reply to witness's inquiry whom they had on
board, one of the crew said she wasa passenger, and that her
husband w-as with her. This was the last time she was seen
alive by arty of the witnesses except the boy Musson. The
boat, pror:eeding to London, passed through Colwichlock,
three milts front Roomil-lock. Thence it came to a place
called Bri ndley-bank, two miles from Colwich. At this place
the canal takes a sharp turn to the left ; and it was about 100
yards on the London side of Brindle), bank, and within three
quarters •of a mile of Rugeley, that the body of the poor woman
was after wards found.

The ev idenee was gone into at considerable length, and the
Jury, ?Lite r an hour's consultation, returned a verdict of Guilty
against ait the prisoners.
The Learned Judge immediately passed sentence of death
upon t them. They heard it without evincing any emotion ;
indeed„ throughout the trial all three, especially Owen, showed
little sign of being affected either by the remembrance of their
crime or the danger in which they stood.
The. trial lasted eight hours, and excited deep interest.

THE MARKETS.-(THIS DAY.)

IS MAJESTY the EMPEROR of
AUSTRIA having AUTHORISED and GUA-
RANTEED several DISTRIBUTIONS of MONEY
PREMIUMS, which (though they are NO LOTTERIES)
3rer many possibilities of obtaining,
LARGE FORTUNES,
HEINE BROTHERS, at HAMBURGH,
are NOW SELLING SHARES for the said DISTRIBU-
TIONS. Persons desirous to purchase, may receive, PRE-
VIOUS to giving any order, the PROSPECTUS and PAR-
TICULARS, upon addressing WITHOUT DELAY, a line
to HEINE, BROTHERS, at HAMBURGH.
P. S.—TUE NEXT DISTRIBUTION contains Portions of
TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND,
FIVE THOUSAND,
TWO THOUSAND,
ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED,
ONE THOUSAND,
EIGHT HUNDRED, SIX HUNDRED, FIVE HUN-
DRED, THREE HUNDRED, TWO HUNDRED AND
FIFTY, TWO HUNDRED, ONE HUNDRED AND
FIFTY, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY, ONE HUN-
DRED AND TEN, and ONE HUNDRED POUNDS,
Rce. &c., amounting to £134,990 Sterling.

THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT GARDEN.
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF MADAME
VESTRIS
THIS EVENING, MARCH 18.
Will be performed Sheridan's Comedy of
THE RIVALS.
After which,
THE BEGGAR'S OPERA.
Captain Macheath, Mr. W. Harrison ; Peachum, Mr. W.
Farren ; Lockit, Mr. Bartley ; Filch, Mr. Harley ; Mrs.
Peachum, Mrs C. Jones; Polly Peachnm, Miss Rainforth;
Lucy Lachit, Madame Vestris.
Dreg Boxes, 7s. ; Second Price, 33. 6d.; First and Second
Circles, ss. ; Second Price, 2s. 6d. ; Pit, 3s. ; Second Price,
2s. ; Gallery, Is.
Doors to be opened at half-past Six—the performances to
commense at Sevel o'Clock.
Tickets and plat !A for the Boxes to loe taken at the Bex•of-
tioe, from Ten till Four, whore Season Tickets may be had
upon application.
Private Boxes to be had sslely of Mr. Andrews, bookseller,
167, New Bond-street.

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE:
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF MR. BUTLER.
THIS EVENING the Entertainments will commence with a
IC‘• Piece, never acted here,
THE MUSE AND THE MERCHANT.
Edmund Bin, Mr. Hall (his first appearance at this Theatre);
Rosa, Miss Fitiwalter.
THE LADIES' CLUB,

Open every night at Half-past Seven.
Mrs. Fit ssmith (Third Night in the Chair), Mrs. Stirling.
After which the New Burletta called
THE GENTLEMAN IN BLACK.
Peter Punctilio, Mr. Jones.
To be followed by
LOVE AND CHARITY.

Julia Amor
Louise Bertrand Mrs. Stirling.
Phohe Pop
To sone ude with _

FRENCH POLISH.
Monsieur Commode, Mr. Morris Barnett.
The Ladies' Club is open every Et ening.
Boxes, 4e. Pit, 2s. Gallery, Is.

ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.

Increasing success of the City Apprentice, which continues to
attract crowded and delighted audiences. First week of an
entirely new Drama, replete with powerfully impressive and
interesting situations.
THIS EVENING, Alancil 18.
Will be acted, an entirely new Drama, entitled
THE POCKET BOOK; OR, THE TWO FAMILIES.
Supported by the entire strength of the Company.
After which, a Historical Drama, depicting England in 1664,
Batbadoes in 1665, O,d London in 1636, with a representa-
tion of the Great Fire of London, entitled
THE CITY APPRENTIi E; or, THE THREE LILIES.

To conclude with
THE FALLS OF THE CLYDE.