The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-07 00:00:00

THE ROAD CHILD MURDER.

ROAD, Nov. 6.
The inquiry commenced on the motion of Mr. T.
B. Saunders, and apparently conducted exclusively
by that gentleman, was resumed at the Temperance-
hall, Road, this morning. The audience was less
numerous than on the former days, and neither
Captain Meredith nor either of the superintendents
of the Wilts constabulary were present.
Mr. Saunders began by requesting the reporters
not to take down something he was about to say,
which apparently had reference to some comments
on the proceedings of the former days in some of
the local newspapers ; but as the request was not
acceded to he refrained from offering any observa•
tions.

Mrs. Orchard was first called, and stated that the
first time she saw Mr. Saunders was on Saturday
morning last. She then stated to him in presence
of some other gentlemen and now repeated that
two persons named Francis and Greenhill came to
her house on the night of the 29th of Jnne. She
was not very well, and wished them not to stop. It
was after dark when they came. Witness con-
tinued—As they did not appear willing to go, after
some time I put the clock on, thinking they would
go when they saw it was late. I can't say exactly
when it was they left, for our clock does not go
well. I moved the hands on in the dark. I can't
say exactly how much. I have stated the truth as
nearly as I know.
Mr. Saunders—Will you have the goodness to
state what you mentioned to me on Saturday last
in presence of Captain Meredith, Mr. Hughes, the
superintendent of the Bath police, and Mr. Bond ?
Witness—l don't recollect anything else.
Mr. Saunders—Did you or did you not state that
you put the clock on two hours ?
Witness—l can't say how much I put it on.
Mr. Saunders—Did you not state that Francis
and Greenhill left your house at 10 minutes before
one o'clock by your clock?
Witness—l can't say what time it was ; our
clock don't keep time.
Mrs. Parker, another woman present, stated, in
reply to an appeal from the witness, that the clock
did not go well.
Mr. Saunders (to witness)—Are you able now to
recollect ?—I can't say whether the clock was slow
or fast, or whether I pat it on two hours or not.
Mr. Saunders here informed the witness that she
might now go, but he should have occasion to call
her again.
Mrs. Parker was then called forward, and, in
reply to questions from Mr. Saunders, stated that
all she could say was that Mrs. Orchard's daughter
came to her every morning, and sometimes in the
evening, to know what time it was. Did not recol-
lect Mrs. Orchard or her daughter coming to take
the time on the morning of the 30th or evening of
the 29th June last. Knew nothing of what took
place at Road-hill-house on Friday, June 29.
John Alloway, the lad who was in Mr. Kent's
employ previous to the 29th June, stated that he
left Mr. Kent's service on Saturday, the 30th of,
that month. Took a square candle lantern to Mr.
Fricker, plumber and glazier, by direction of the
cook, on Wednesday or Thursday previous to the
29th of June. The cook said Mr. Kent had told her
to send the lantern. Mr. Kent went away from
home on Wednesday morning, and came back on
Thursday night. Witness continued—l went to
Fricker ou the Thursday to know whether the lan-
tern was ready. It was not. I called the next
day for it. In one day I called three times for it,
but did not get it till Friday night. I took the lan-
tern back to Road-hill-house, and put it on the
dresser in the kitchen. I said to the cook, " There
is the lantern ; it is done." I had never seen the
lantern before I took it to be repaired, and did not
know there was such a thing in the house. I did
not see it after I brought it home. The cook and
housemaid sent me so many times for the lantern.
( Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Kent said anything to me
about the lantern. On the Friday the cook and
housemaid said I must go and get the lantern, as
Mr. Kent wanted it and must have it. The nurse.
maid was not present at any of these times. I had
given Mr. Kent notice to leave at the end of the
week on Monday, June 25. I left Road-hill-house
about 7 in the evening of 29th June, and went
there about 6 o'clock the following morning. I saw
Holcombe in the stable, andthen went to the green-
house, and afterwards took the knives and boots
and carried them into the storehouse. I turned the
knives out on the board and began to clean the
shoes. holcombe came in and asked me if I had
nearly done. I said " No." He then said he would
clean the knives if I would clean the boots, and he
did so. I took the knives into the kitchen after they
were cleaned, and put the boots and shoes in the
passage a little before 7 o'clock. Holcombe bad not
previously been in the habit of cleaning the knives.
He told me he wanted me out in the gardea. There
was no unusual appearance about the knives, or
about the shoes or boots of Mr. Kent or Master
William ; there were no boots of the young ladies to
clean that morning. I did not hear of the murder
till half-past 7, when Mr. Kent came out in the
garden and said the child was lost. Holcombe,
Oliver, and myself were present. Mr. Kent asked
Holcombe if ho had seen any of the little children.
Holcombe said "No." Mr. Kent then said, "Master
Saville is lost." lie then asked me if there were
any police in the place. I said " There is Urch."
He said " You go and fetch him," and I went for
him. I ran as hard as I could to Urch's house, and
called him. He came down, andl told him to come
as fast as he could. He said he would, and I ran
back to the house. Urch arrived just as Mr. Kent
was going off to Trowbridge. He gave me the order
to have the horse and carriage got ready as quick
as possible, and I went and told Holcombe to do so.
Oliver and Holcombe were searching abotit the pre-
mises at the time. Morgan, the parish constable,
came with Urch. Mr. Kent spoke to them, but I
did not hear what he said to them. I did not hear
them call to him to stop. After Mr. Kent was gone
to Trowbridge I went back into the yard, and Urch
and Morgan went straight into the kitchen. lam
not certain whether I went with them or not. I
did not search much for the lost child, because thd
shrubs had been all searched by Oliver and Hol-
combe. I was present when the body of the child
was found. We had a mowing machine, but when
it was wet Holcombe mowed with a scythe. I be-
lieve Holcombe used the scythe on Friday, June 29.
I cannot recollect how long previously the machine
had been used. There was a toolhoase on the pre-
mises, in which the scythe was generally kept. I
did net see the garden tools all examined. I saw
Mr. Rent with a " half moon" and little rake
which he took to Air. Foley, or some one, to be
ke
examined. The lantern I never saw after I put
sty on the dresser on Friday night. It did not
me askbeing at all singular that Holcombe
done so beforn
cleaned the
knives, and eivebs on Saturday morning. He had
nedut not very often. I saw the
did not make and them out on the bench, but
the Saturday monrywmo.inute inspection of them on
Mr. Kent wus whenuliTe
ordered the carriage to be
believe he was in the stable'!" out of doors. I
1 don't
whether he had his boots on.fir I can't say
got into the yard. lie
wore
1111ove know how he
went to Trowbridge. I believe I sa,:ic4art liv-hen
Friday afternoon or evening; I can't tell N.bent on
was then dressed. I once broke a piece out oo‘fv ohe
of the knives while cleaning it in the machine. "I
believe it was a carving knife, but I am not certain.
After it was broken it was brought to be cleaned as
usual; it was not much damaged. I know nothing
else with reference to what occurred on the morning
of the 29th of June, I have been examined before.