The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-11 00:00:00

MURDER OF A GAOLER.

HASTINGS, March 10.—This town was thrown into a
state of intense excitement this morning► by the report
that a prisoner in Hastings gaol had effected his escape
after murdering the gaoler. The circumstances are as
follows :—James Wellen, the gaoler, was a widower,
and lived in the gaol, as did also his son (a carpenter)
and his son's wife. About 7 o'clock this morning, after
the son had gone out to work, one of the prisoners,
John Murdock, succeeded by some means (not yet pub-
licly known) in locking up the son's wife, and then at-
tempted to escape. He was stopped, however, by the
gaoler, and a struggle enseed, which ended in the death
of the gaoler by strangulation. The gaoler also received
a severe injury on the month, but whether from a fall or
from a blow from the murderer is not known. Murdock
then escaped over the wall of the gaol-yard, and suc-
eeeded in getting away. Every effort is being made to
capture him, and, as be is well known to all the police-
constables, as well as to many others in the town, it is
hoped the search will be successful,

Mnrduck is described as "21 years of age, a well-
known pickpocket, about 5 feet 9 inches in height, light ,
brown hair, grey eyes, pale complexion, no whiskers,
full neck and face ; was dressed in shabby clothes, black
frock-coat, black trousers, black hat, black silk necker-
chief, white shirt, no collar." It is believed his clothes ,
were torn in climbing the wall. The circumstances of
his imprisonment are the following :—On February 25
James Murdock, 21, and George Wright, 12, were ac-
cused of picking pockets ; George Young, 25, was ac-
cused of heir ig an accomplice. Young was disobarged,
and the two former were committed for trial at the next
Borough Quarter Sessions. In consequence of a state-
ment made by the prisoners in gaol, Young was again
apprehended on a charge of uttering counterfeit coin,
but was di,charged for want of evidence. It is probable
that the statement made by the prisoners, and which led
to Young's second apprehension, might have been a ruse
to enable the three to concert a plan of escape after
Young's second discharge.
The deceased was about 70 yeari old, was well known
and highly respected. The family to which be belonged
is one of long standing in the town, and respectably con-
nected. lie had held the office of gaoler for many years,
during which he had shown himself to be a man of strict,
integrity, and also of humane feeling towards his pri-
soners. The people are intensely excited and indignant
both on account of the dreadful crime itself, and also on
account of the generous and humane character of the
unfortunate sufferer.

MONDAY AFTERNOON.—The murderer was discovered
about two o'clock this afternoon by two boys, in a ditch
in Tor-hill field. The field is about a stone's throw from
the top of High-street. Upon being discovered, the
prisoner ran off, and the boys gave chase. Others fol-
lowed, and after chasing him over the West-hill suc-
ceeded in capturing the prisoner at th% bottom of the
hill, near Russell-street, not far from the railway station.
An immense crowd congregated at. the police•station and
near the gaol to catch a glimpse of him.
The inquqst on the body of the gaoler and the exami-
nation of the prisoner will take place to-morrow.

Tint ALLEGED POISONINGS AT RUGELET.—It is under-
stood that indictments, in addition to the charges
under the coroner's inquisitiow, will be preferred against
Wm. Palmer, before the grand jury, at the assizes, next
week. With respect to Palmer's defence, it is repre-
sented that it will be mainly a scientific one : and that
eminent chemists and anatomists (including Majendie,
of Paris) have been retained, to resisl, as far as possible.
1.. e deductions of Dr. Taylor and Dr. Rees. —Stafford•
Aire Advertinr.