The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-22 00:00:00

THE MURDER OF MR. LITTLE.

At, Capel-street Police-court this day at half-past
ono o'clock,
Mr. Michael George Harrington, of 5, Wellington-
street, was placed at the bar, in the custody of police-
constable 32 D, charged on suspicion of, having mur-
dered the late Mr. Ge,,rge Samuel Little, in his office,
in the Broadstone Railway Terminus, on Thursday, the
13th day of November last. The office was densely
crowded from the opening of the doors, and the greatest
interest was manifested in the proceedings,
Mr. Superintendent Guy and Inspector Ryan, G
division, attended on the part of the police ; Mr. Chas.
Fitzgerald, sea., appeared for the prisoner.
Die witnesses not under examination haying been
directed to withdraw,
Eliza, Fitzsimons baying been s worn, sail, in reply
to Mr. O'D I know the prisoner, and have
known him beyond seven months. I was his servant
fur that time. I live in Watling-street. I art a servant
out of place. Up to this time the prisoner did not dis-
charge me nor pay me. About five weeks ago, on
Thursday, close at 12 o'clock at night, he came to
\Vatting street, where I stopped. He came up seem-
ingly as if he was a little intoxicated, but not a great
deal. He ca,led for a drink of water from Mrs. Feeney's
daughter. He washed his hands in a yellow hasin which
V/9.4 soiled with blood. I mean his bands. There were
slight splashes of blood on his face. He got a wet cLitli,
dipped it in the basin and rubbed down the front of his
trousers, as far as the upper of his foot. He wore white
gaiters. Mrs. Feeney asked him was it with Mary
Whelan he was, and was it she left the blood on him,
as she often did before. He said not, that he fell into
company with a few lads that commenced a fighting,
and he went between them and got the worst of it.
Seemingly, they were, he said, mechanics. He asked
Mrs. Feeney to go with him to the Broadstone to see
his son, John Harrington. She said she would not go,
that she had nothing to put about her that present time,
but could not he go himself, saying, was be nut often
there before by himself ? He replied again. He said he
did not wish t.) go by himself on account of some
dreadful accident which occurred on the railway, not
mention :g what the murder was, or anything. He
then said, " Will you clean a coat fur me, Mrs. Feeney,
from the white paint on it." She said, "Yes." He said
1:e Ws.s after getting 300 C. by his wife's death. It was
onutizide coat, I forgot to say, and not the one he wore
al. He then told about the money.
that vg D,innell—How came he to say that ?-ob,
at to pay
get it I me, for he said after a time, When I
months' w
e,1315' yon,' speaking to me. He meant seven
log to 1 o,%eeditwhich was due to me. It was then draw-
returned on Friday for say. He then went away, and
Mrs. Feeney s-h., for his coat, which he had left with
and could oat e gAid she did her best with the coat,
went off then, a m
get out the marks of the paint. He
day. I saw hiaa
emiegardw no more of him until vaster-
y
all, sir. ay at Mrs. Feeney's. That is

Cross-examined by mr,
Fitzgerald—You lived seven
months with the prisoner: rr
am from him a good I
suppose while. a
\ten did you leave him ?—1
remained i.a could not exactly say. I
It is about seven months ar)enth after his wife's death.
You summoned him, I t
believe the Manor Court
—Yes ; and I got an order
agaiT'etetaiovina for 1/ I cannot
g
say when that was. I did not
rant. That was the day I left his 4trer it or net a war-
him while in his service. vice. I summoned
of Cross-eratnination continued—when, T the order
he was sick. He knows about it himself.
hospital, but after coming out of it. 1
~....Was not in
summons at his place, No. 6, Wellington.irtrTebehim the
getting his
It is
not known where his place is now. I lived t'
With him in
Wellington-street.
Did you put the warrant in force by g
goods seized —No, sir ; not till of late. The ti,„l i
,
seized then were not his. The goods were given ~,' P
That was about a fortnight or three weeks ago in Wel-
lington-street. I never tried to force it before, for when
I went to look fur him he was denied to me. I Was
going on seven or eight months with Mrs. Feeney. It
was himself put me there when I left his service. I
paid myself for my support with my clothes. I paid
nothing, though I am there seven or eight months
off and on. I was seven weeks of that time at the Big
Tree in Drumcondra in service. I do not know the man's
name. (Sensation.) I could show the place. It is on
the left hand side as you go down. The gentleman
I lived with was a bookbinder, and was married, and
had
_a a family. After some time I might think of his name.
dolw not remember Mr. Harrington alleging that I made
away ,
.with his shirts. He came to me about them, and
I told him where they were. He called on me about
tahiseoininwhilrs.
le in his own. service, and he spoke of them
Feeney 'e whenever he would come. He
need to ask
himself. He me--s He knows all about them
that they were knew how they went. He did not say
a gone, but he said that they had been
made Lim arils told him.arilvtdh,_,. If you allow me I will tell you as I
pay
me,e tellausnd, me to get the shirts, and then he
would
asked him was it thatwhreia all
mY
shirts,' he'd say. I
said ,
sot: Every
time madehe him keep my wae.es, and he
came to Mrs. Feeney's he
spoke of this, except the lastwouli time, and no matter where
he met me or her he
knows aliltawboaust
itahert.me.__sepeak of them ; still the man e
Anne-street,
I went to live with Mrs.
Feeney, the chapel Anne-street,
North ..A.nne.street, I suppose.
when she left it. I dare
aait is nigh
cannot rightly say
. eight or nine
weeks. I removed with her to Watling-street, and am
with her ever since.
Where had you spent the day of the Thursday you
said he called ?—At Mrs. Feeney's.
Where did you sleep that night !—There,
and there
I slept ever since, up to last night, in the top back
Mrs.. Feeney has four children, the eldest
about room.
ears.
years.
I dined that day, and had a cup of tea for dinner. Mr.

Feeney did not dine there that day ; he came home to no
dinner.

What time did he come in that n:ght ?—I dare say
about 8 or 9 o'clock.

Cross-examination continued—He took his supper
that night, meat or fieb, whichever was ready to his hand,
but Ido not know which. He had done his suppe,r, to
the (best cf my knowledge, about 9 o'clock. He went
down to the yard for half an hour or three-quarters that
night. He went down while Mr. Harrington was in the
place. He was in the room when Mr. Harrington came
in. He only stayed—well, not very long, sir. lam
sure I do not know ; I did not mind. To the best of my
opinion the was about half an hour in the room with
Efarriupton, and then he went down. He came up again
a little before Mr. Harrington went. Mr. Harrington
remained not very long after. I suppose about 10 or 15
minutes. I never got the it. I never said I'll be revenged
of Harrington, to my knowledge. I will swear I did not.
I never heard a word of the reward—never, never, never
did. I had no occasion—never, never. Ido not know
about a reward. I never heard it up to this moment—
never, never ; no, indeed, sir. I cannot read or write
the least. I cannot read anything.
When did you give the information ?-141e, sir ?
Yea, you'—Well, on Wednesday last it was given.
I gave none. The way it was, the police came to Mrs.
Feeney's.
Mr. O'Donnell—Did you ever tell what you have
now stated, and to whom
Witness—On Thursday last, to one of the detectives.
Here is one of them (pointing to Inspector Ryan). He
called on me to know about it. A. few werds passed, be-
fore that, to a man named Mr. Taylor. That was the day
before. I mean on Wednesday last. Mrs. Feeney was
present. It was about this man being killed. Mr. Taylor
came about his own business—to get a pair of trousers
made by Mr. Feeney. He went to go read the paper
about the death of this man ( Mr. Little) while he was
waiting. Mrs. Feeney said that Mr. Harrington should
be looked after. I heard a good while ago about the
dead man, but I did not know until Wednesday last that
it was a murder. I heard they were killed, but not mur-
dered. I thought that it was an "accidence." Mr. Taylor
had the paper in his pocket when he came in. It was for
Mrs. Feeney he read it, and Mr. Feeney came in and heard
part of it. I was by. That was the first time I heard of
the murder. He was waiting for Feeney to come I. Ido
not know what Mr. Taylor is. I attended Mr. Harring-
ton's business while in his service. Some of his property
was under my care. I could not tell what he had under
lock; the rest was under me. I knew what dress he gene-
rally wore while I was with him. I knew that he generally
wore gaiters. He often went without them—as often
as with them, maybe. He generally carried a stick. I
often saw the stick in the house, and would, perhaps,
know it, (Handed a black thorn stick.) That is not it.
He had a less one and a greater one. I never saw this
before to my knowledge. He could not have it " un-
knownt" to me in his own place. He used seldom have
to go to the country, or at least used seldom leave his
own place. Often when he said he'd been in the coun-
try, it was in Mill-street he was, I saw money with
him, sometimes he gave me a trifle. I never saw several
pounds together. The most I saw was a pound for
change. I know he collected rents from Lady Boyle
and others. I never heard where he went to collect
them. He used to go to Lusk and in them directions.
Sure it was not my business to ask him where he went
to. I had only a slight knowledge of Mrs. Feeney before
I stopped with her. I had a knowledge of her about
a twelve month before I went to stop with her. I never
heard of Mr. Little's name or about the murder until last
Wednesday ; or about a reward until this day—never
did. (Sensation.) Mr. Feeney and me never had a
conversation about that night. Nor did we even speak
of it to any one until we spoke of it to Mr. Taylor. The
only person we spoke to after were the detectives, when
they came to us. I know James Hoare. I saw him
last about a fortnight last Sunday. He came into Mrs.
Feeney's. Mrs. Feeney told James Hoare something ;
but I went down for water and did not hear ir. Ido not
know that Hoare was discharged by Mr. Harrington.
He might be doing business fur Mr. Harrington still.
(Handed the razor found in the canal.). I never saw
that before.

Mr. Joseph Taylor, examined—l live in No. 1 Temple.
view, Broadstone. I am a lodgiaghouse keeper and
keep a cattle yard.
Do you know the prisoner ?—I do not.
Superintendent Guy—The man's evidence is only re-
quired to corroborate the statement of the last witness.
Examination continued—l know Eliza Fitzsimons. I
saw her in Watling-struet. J had a conver-ation with
her. We were talking about Mr. Little's murder. Mrs.
Feeney was present. Mrs. Feeney desired her to tell me
about a Mr. Harrington that came in there on Tuesday
night, the night of the murder, about 12 o'clock.
Did she tell you anything ?—She told me that he
washed his hands in a basin, that they had a great ap-
pearance of blood on them.
Mr. Fitzgerald objected to the conversation between
the two women being published. The story of the two
women might create a great prejudice in the public mind
against Mr. Harrington.

-Mr. O'Donnell—lt is clearly not evidence.
Mr. Fitzgerald—l do not object to it being taken on
the information.

Mr. O'Donnell—lt is clearly not evidence.
Inspector Guy—lt goes to the credibility of the wit-
ness.

Mr. Fitzgerald—That is for me or my counsel. I
am out of place here, but I had no time to instruct
counsel.
The prisoner—I was given no time ; none whatever.
Mr. Fitzgerald—l do not object to the conversation
being spread on the informations ; but I think it would
be unfair to publish it.
Mr. O'Donnell—lt i., as I said, not evidence, If

Fitzsimons was an approver it might be diErent.
Cross-examined— Mrs. Feeney desired Fitzsimons to
have the conversation about Mr. Harrington told to me.
I read the newspaper that Dowd's affair was in. That
was after the conversation. I read it the second time
when Feeney came in. It was before I read the paper
Mrs. Feeney desired Fitzsimons to mention the matter
to we. I was there twice that day. It was on my first
visit that I had the conversation with Mrs. Feeney and
Fitzsimons. I had no paper then. The first time T
called was between two and three o'clock in the day.
The second time it was about half-past eight or near
nine. It was then I had the paper with me. Feeney
was in some time after nine. On the second time I had
a conversation again—a conversation about the reward.
Mf impression is that I did not mention anything about
the reward. I mentioned about the hammer and razor.
We merely spoke of the murder and the hardship that en
innocent man might be implicated. On the first occa-
sion there was a conversation about the murder.

Mr. O'Donnell—l am about to ask a question of the
witness which will one way or the other affect the credi-
bility of the last witness, and I want to know if you have
any objection ?
Mr. Fitzgerald—Witness stated that he had ❑ot.
Mr. O'Donnell (to the witness)—Did these parties, in
their intercourse with you, state whether they, or either
of them, first mentioned Mr. Harrington as the person ;
you went there about half-past 2 o'clock, and again be-
t Neen S and 9, and did Feeney or Fitzsimons tell you
when first they said anything about Harrington ?
Witness—Yes, sir; the early time.
Mr. O'Donnell—Did either of them tell you they sus-
pected Harrington ?
Witness—They did.
Mr. O'Donnell—Did they tell you when first they did?
Witness—At the time that Mr. Feeney brought home
word that Mr. Little was murdered at the Broadstone ?
Mr. O'Donnell—When was that ?
Witness—lt was a few days after the murder ; this
was at the first interview.

Mr. O'Dcminell—When did they say they first sus
pected him I

Witness—They said when they heard the first ac-
count of the murder it occurred to their minds, from the
appearance of Mr. Harrington, that he committed the
murder.
Mr. O'Donnell—And when
Witness—lt must have been the Saturday night after
the murder.

Mr. O'Donnell—Was Fitzsimons present this time

Witness—She was present at it.

The witness stated that Fitzsimons saw the razor in
Exchange court. Fitzsimons, when examined, swore
that she had not seen it before.

Catherine Feeney examined—l am the wife of John
Feeney, a tailor. I have known Mr, Harrington sor 6
years. I saw him last Tuesday and that day week, be-
tween 10 and 11 o'clock in the morning, in Bow-street.
About 5 or 6 or more weeks ago he came to my room about
12 o'clock. He was seemingly feeble, and sat down on the
side of the bed. The girl Fitzsimons a❑d my child came up
the stairs with him. After he had sat down on the bed
he asked for a drink of water. The child handed it to
him. He took a black bottle out of his pocket and
poured some whisky from it into the water. The bottle
had a green label. He said he was greatly put about
with attack of his nerves. I saw his left hand with blood
on the back of it and through the fingers. There was
also blood on his cheeks, but more on the left than on
the right cheek. Across his chin there was likewise
blood. He asked for more water, and said he wanted
toh wash his hands. He got the water and pulled a
veth
the froanntdofw
andkerchief from his breast, put it into the basin, and
thenae washed his hands. I handed him a towel. He
l'anlne
smoehtake the candle off the table. When I had
e put his foot upon the leaf of the table, and
i the towel which I had given him he rubbed down
ahis clothes, dipping the to wel in the cup of
remarked
spirit
and shoes. ter He wiped his coat, trousers, leggings,
theßeforew be got the water to wash himself I
he went to mak
so bloody. He relied
and asked him how he came to be
replied that he had been in a riot, that
a big nwowrnaaswith an unfortunate woman whom
him I thought ,ePeace, and got the worst of it. I told
He said he tTias
; but nnamed Whelan, and that she had
ahtet kept,
ke d
thing about her ;the hat
it
no, he did not know any-
not ♦er far away where
he cot it.
blackguards from cazino_?r,lght they were some of the
tpolace
asked me then to go as f:r 6a who were fighting. He
the ague duct to his son
to in. I mad be had often
John's lodgings, to see if he ~,,sa
he
nleput about me at that
been there, that I had nothing
late hour of the night, and that
, and
dut the p'ace, as an
go
about
go by himself.
awful occurrence had taken
He said he did not wish
killed. He said he was greatly pu t a tbkolot a man was
this, and that he did not wish to go
us,
the
,rte by
Hehearing
off his two coats, a short black one upPd thue o. t 'd took
which he now wears. He said there Was paintu si e coat
back of one of them, and asked me to take,.
i t 0
ff f
oornh thei
He asked me to give it a touch over 1
a• together—anyn.
Place where I would see it dirty. At the tin le he
asked me
to go to his son's lodgings he said that p erhaps Feeney
would not be pleased ; and I said whether he would or
not I would not go. I saw a stick w ith him, with a
small weapon like a dagger in it. He w;ned this on the'
towel. He put on his coat an 4 walked d ownstairs, but
came back again, took more water, a no' said he was
greatly put about in his nerves. He atiter wards left for
the night. OA Friday, the day followiog, 'he came again.