The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-09 00:00:00

TEE REPORTED MURDER CASE NEAR

iIIORPETIi.

As we intimated last week, the horrible story which
was going the round of the press (and which we
copied from one of our contemporaries) was a mere
" mockery, delusion, and snare." Mr. James Mil-
burn, the butcher, who was reported to have been
" barbarously murdered," is, doubtless, alive and well,
speeding by the aid of steam across the broad Atlantic,
and probably laughing in his sieve at the ruse which
he accomplished. When he reaches the United States
the London daily papers will inform him that he was
a "master butcher of great respectability," that "all
the facts show he had been attacked by highwaymen
and robbed and murdered ;" that "there were con-
siderable marks of a struggle, some blood, and foot-
marks on the road, and an appearance as if a person
had been dragged by the arm over two or three fields
into a low, thick wood beyond, the hedges indicating
the trailing of shoe heels ;" and that " the general
opinion is, that his body has been thrown down one of
the old coal-pits in the neighbourhood." He may
learn, however, by the next mail that the thing is
blown—ascertained to be a vile fabrication on the part
of an artful and unprincipled man who once enjoyed
and at length abused character and credit; for it is
now evident to all who have investigated the matter
that Milburn has absconded, and, unfortunately,
with a good deal of other people's money in his
pockets. "The marks of blood," and "traces of a
struggle" are altogether fabulous, and there is
nothing to lead any one to believe that a murder has
been committed. It appears that Milburn, who is
reputed to be a " fast" men, was drinking at Bothal
on the evening of the 26th, and on his return called
to have another grass at the Guide Post public-house
on the road to Caoppington. He left there about
midnight with a friend named William Lowes,
farmer at Caoppington, who set him a short way on
the road ; and next morning Milburn's hat was found
only about two minutes' walk from where Lowes
had left him. Loves says all the conversation of his
friend that night was, that he was sure to be robbed
or murdered that night, as there were people standing
about the Corporaien-yard in Morpeth who would do
for him. And en the following day there certainly were
appearances which led many to believe a robbery and
murder had been perpetrated. It appears that soon after
Loves and Milburn parted company, Mr. Stephen-
son a viewer at the Glebe Colliery, saw two men in a
cart, and a horse (supposed to be Milburn's) running
alongside. Tne cart passed Hepscott Moor Farm, and
it is said it was seen Dear the Highlander Inn on the
Betsey turnpike from Newcastle to Otterbura—there
it could cross, and proceed south. The rumour is
that Milburn and a boon companion of his named
Heslop were in the cart, and that the horse (Mil-
burn's) after being driven a short distance was sent
back. This report receives some colour and strength
from the circumseence that Heslop and his wife, who
resided at Newbiggen, left home for America on
Monday. Heslop, it is stated, was not in his house
on the night when Milburn bolted, or, as was sup-
posed, was murdered. The affair, however, is still
shrouded with a certain amount and kind of mystery,
but one thing is plain, Milburn sold off stock at New-
costle market shortly before his exit, and be has left
the neighbourhood in a great deal of debt. Milburn's
relations are highly respectable ; his father is a farmer
in good circumstances, and, believing rather in the
story of his son's death than his shame, has offered a
reward for information likely to lead to the conviction
of his murderers. The reward, however, will never
be claimed. But we hope that subsequent investiga-
tion will render the facts plainer and clearer than they
now appear.—. Newcastle Guardian.

SIR GEORGE GREY IN THE HIGHLANDS.—After a
short visit to the Orkneys, the Lightning, steam-ship, re-
turned to the Moray Firth, and on Monday ran up the Cro-
mart). Firth as far as I nvergordon, where Sir George and
his lady landed, and drove to the Ault-Grande, near Evanton.
The Ault-Grande is a long, but narrow and deep gorge or
fissure in the rock through which the burn of Evanton flows,
and a wilder scene nf the kind it is almost impossible to
fancy. On their return to Invergordon the distinguished
party—whose names had become known—were received
with cheers by a large number of the inhabitants, who had
ascembled on the pier to see their embarkation. On Tues-
day morning the Lightning entered the Beauly Firth. Sir
George and his lady landed at Rosemarkie Bay, and walked
to Fortrose, spending tome time in examining the ruins of
the ancient cathedral. They re-embarked at Fortrose, and
the swift steamer was coon at anchor in Kessoek Roads. Sir
George and Lady Grey landed early in the afternoon, rnd
drove to the Castle-hill, from which they enjoyed the fine
extended landscape presented by the long expanse of the
great glen. After a short excursion to the suburbs they
rertuned. and afterwards visited the tartan warehouse. Sir
George and his Lady proceeded by the Edinburgh Castle
yesterday morning (Wednesday) as tar as Fort William,
and are expected to return to-night, when they will proceed
by the Lightning down the Moray Firth to Aberdeen.—
Inverness Courier of Thursday.
CITY OF LONDON REGISTRATION.—According to
the ab,tracts of claims of persons to have their names in-
serted in the list of voters from which they have been
omitted, and objections taken to names in the lists, returned
to
hristie for disposal at the revision for the
of
and London,
e 2 claims, _
city (in the 2 inst., they are as follows :—Free-
m e _l4objections • inhabitant
, householders, 160 claims, 72 objections; total 162 claims,
',
iNnlr . T. 'C
1,186 objections. The claims, therefore, would appear to be
114, and the objections 65, were thau they were last year.