The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-19 00:00:00

40P,A141'a.#147e,g44„.2_,.

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THE MURDERER OF TSIE GAOLER

AT JIASTINGS:

The authorities at Hastings having written to the=me:::,
Commissioners of the metropolis for information relating)
to the young man called Murdoch Murdoch, whoe,:e'
strangled an old man named Welland, the gac;lleeper of -
the Hastings Borough Prison, on Monday, the 10th inst.,
have received in reply a communication from Mr. Daniel
Howie, superintendent of the K division of police, con-
veying tome important and very curious information re-
specting the murderer, wins was very well knoa\ti for
many years in the Thames Police Court, and to the hen-
stables of the K division, ureder the cognomen of Bluey,
which he obtained by having for some time worn a pair
of old naval blue teeusere. The real name of the mur-
derer is Joseph Williams, and some part of his career
gained for him the appellation of Young Jonathan Wild,
which he richly deserved. He first became known to
the police about eight years ago under these circum-
stances :—A woman, named Fordham, the wife of a
tradesman at Bow, had her pocket picked of a purse, con-
taining .56/. in gold, which she had received the same
day in payment of a cheque, at the Bank of England.
The robbery was effected by a boy, while Mrs. Ford-
ham was listening to the discourse of one of the many
Cheap Jacks in the Mile-end-road. Williams, who was
then connected with a gang of young thieves in Spital-
fields, gave information to the police, and upon his evi-
dence two well-known thieves, one a boy named Green,
and the other a man called "Jem, the Jagger," were
committed from the Thames Police Court, and con-
victed of the offence. Green received a slight punish-
ment, but "Jem, the lagger," who was known to be
a trainer of young thieves, was sentenced to be trans-
ported for 15 years. The magistrate who heard the case
questioned Williams, then a boy of 14, and the lad ex-
prersed a desire to shun bad company, and lead an honest
life, and said the gang of young thieves with whom he
had been associated, and others, had threatened to mur-
der him for impeaching Green and "Jem, the logger,"
and that if he ever went to the neighbourhood of Spital-
fields he should be torn to pieces'. The magistrate, on
bearing this, directed Mills, a police-constable, No. 306
K, to take care of the boy, and see that he was properly
provided for. Williams boarded and lodged with Mills,
at his dwelling in Bermuda-street, Stepney, for raven
weeks, at the end of which _time, the report of his conduct
having been favourable, he was provided with an out-
fit at the expense of the poor-box fund, and seat to sea.
He made only one voyage, during which he behaved well ;
and on his return, having taken a distaste to tht)nea ser-
vice, he became an itinerant vendor of stationery, and
was for about two years regular in his attendance every
Wednesday, at the Arbour-square station of the K
in Stepney,e and Wednesday being the payday
of the division, be was extensively patronised, by the
police, to whom he made himself useful by giving infor-
mation. against parties accused of burglaries and rob-
beries, and whose dwellings and connexions lie knew.
He afro gave evidence on many occasions at tlie police
courts against young thieves charged wits picking
pockets and robbing shops, and he was frequently ac-
cesed by the parties, against whom he was giving testi-
mony, of having instigated them to commit the very
crimes he afterwards denounced. On one oc-casion he
was accused of receiving bribes from pickpockets to wink
at their depredations, and though he strongly denied the
truth of the allegation, many old police-officers expressed
their belief that Williams:assumed a virtue he had not,
and that he was acting the part of a Jonathan Wild. One
part of his life was no doubt genuine, and he effected a
goad deal of good. Coming through Bow one morning,
about three years ago, he watched two men, whom he
knew to be notorious thieves, and saw them go into a
linendraper's shop, and come out again a minute after-
wards. One of them was carrying a large cash-bo:t, which
he had takes from a table in the parlour at the back of
the shop, while the shopkeeper was temporarily absent.
Williams collared the thief with the cash-box, and held
him fast until a policeman arrived. He then obtained
assistance, and pursued the other thief, who was also
arrested. The magistrates of the Thames Police Court,
before whom the case was brought, warmly eulogised
the conduct of Williams, and the judge upon the trial
also noticed him approvingly. The thieves were con-
victed, and sentenced to ten years' transportation. The
proseoutor rewarded Williams with the shabby remune-
ration of 20s. Soon after this affair Williams evinced a
desire to enter the police force, but he was declared not
eligible. Through the influence of the officers of the
Thames Police Court he obtained employment in the
London Dock, where he behaved well ; but finding he
was looked upon with distrust by many of his fellow-
laboureto, he did not remain long there, and sought other
employment. Failing in this, he relapsed into crime,
and was summarily convicted for picking pockets. On
his release from prison he enlisted into the East India
Company's service, and was sent to the camp at Warley,
to be drilled. He had not been many weeks with his
regiment when he deserted. and went home to his mo-
ther, who is living with his step-father, in Three Colt-
street, Old Ford, Bow. His mother persuaded him to
go back to Warley, which he promised to do, and she
gave him 30s. to pay his expenses and purchase some
necessaries ; and there was no doubt he would have
acted on his mother's advice had he not met with a gipsy
tramp, of known bad character, and another fellow, who
remained with him while his money lasi;ed, and then
induced him to become a thief again. He betook him-
self into Kent, and on reaching Hastings committed a
robbery there, for which he was committed to the Bo-
rough gaol. He determined to make his escape, and for
that purpose made an attack on Welland, the gaoler,
and strangled him. He was soon recaptured, and now
stands committed for wilful murder. He will be tried at
the next Summer Assizes. Williams has expressed the
greatest contrition for the foul murder he committed.
His victim was a kind old man, and much respected.
Williams was always considered, by the Metropolitan
police, to be a cheerful, good-humoured lad, but im-
mattientplreatrointe hike_ enrogdd never settle dawn to
pleasant to be an honest hard-working man, who could
look any one in the face, than be a thief ; but he has
often complained that he was constantly beset with bad
advisers, and particUlarly by a gipsy tramp, a kind of
Mephistopheles, who to this day, takes a pleasure in
luring youth to their rein, and then boasting of his
hellish exploits. This fellow has been long under the
notice of the police, and he is well known at the Hert-
fordshire and Essex fairs. The age of Williams has
been stated, in the accounts of the murder, to be 18
only. He is upwards of 21. It is eight years since he
gave evidence against Green, and "Jem, the lagger;"
and he was then more than 14 years of age.

ALLEGED POISONING OF A SERVANT GIRL
BY HER MASTER,

HARTLEPOOL, Monday, March 17.—0 n Friday morn-
ing a young girl, named Mary Brown, aged 17, living
in the service of Mr. George Wilkinson, surgeon, of this
town, died suddenly after a short illness. A report was
very industriously circulated that the, deceased girl was
enciente by her master, and that poison had been admi-
nistered to her. Mr. John Little, deputy coroner for
Stockton ward, therefore impanelled a jury which as-
sembled this afternoon at the St. Hilda Hotel. Mr.
Wilkinson attended at the inquiry.
Jane Taylor, the mother of the deceased, residing at
Castle Eden, said that six weeks ago she came to Hartle-
pool to see her daughter, who was very poorly. De-
'ceased was at that time taking medicine prepared for
her by her master. She sometimes refused to take it,
saying it was very nauseous. Mr. Wilkinson replied to
witness's questions that nothing serious was the matter,
and that he would "talk her over." Three weeks ago
the deceased went home to her parents, and slept there
for two nights. She complained very much of pains in
the head. On Wednesday morning last a messenger
came for witness to go to Hartlepool, as her daughter
was very ill. On arriving she found her in bed, and
speechless. Deceased did not recognise hec. She re-
mained in that state till Friday morning, when she died.
During all that time Mr. Wilkinson prepared the medi-
cine for her, but she could not be got to take much.
Jane Dowson, housekeeper to Mr. Wilkinson, said
that deceased, who had been in the service of her master
about 14 months, was a healthy-looking girl till about
September or October last, when she took a fancy for
eating hearth or sandstone. Witness checked her for
• doing so, and informed Mr. Wilkinson, who spoke
to her•about the practice, and gave her purgative media
eines. When deceased refused to take the medicines
prescribed for her, she (witness) stood over her and com-
pelled her to take them. Deceased at that time com-
plained of pain across her chest. She got considerably
better, though not strong, after taking the medicines,
but on Tuesday last she suddenly became seriously ill,
was insensible and speechless, and lost the power of
using her right hand. It teemed paralysed, and she
never regained the use of it. Medicine was prepared
for her by Mr. Wilkinson, but witness could not get it
into deceased's mouth. On the preceding Saturday de-
ceased vomited a great deal, as also on Sunday, Mon-
day, and Tuesday. Tea, gruel, and sago, which she took,
came instantly off her stomach. She had not eaten
animal food for a week previously to her death. De-
ceased had free access to her master's surgery, and its
co ntents.
Martha Booth, wife of Richard Booth, fisherman,
who resided next doer to Mr. Wilkinson, said that she
had known the deceased about six months, and she ap-
peared to be a healthy girl. On Tuesday afternoon, wit-
ness was called in by Jane Dowson, and saw deceased
lying upon her bed. She asked deceased if she had any
pain, and the rely was " No." The housekeeper asked
deceased if she had been eating any more of that
" filthy stuff" (the sandstone), and deceased replied
" No." On deceased beinglifted off the bed, she ejacu-
lated, " It's death—death—death !"
At this stage of the inquiry, the coroner informed the
jury that he considered a postponement necessary in
order to have a post-mortem examination.
Mr. George Green, surgeon, was then
.appointed to
the task, and the inquiry was adjourned till to-morrow.