The Sun.
London, England, 1860-10-18 00:00:00

THE LATE MYSTERIOUS MURDER AT

ROAD.

At the Wilts Quarter Sessions, which commenced
at Marlborough on Tuesday, some discussion took
place with reference to the proceedings of the ma-
gistrates and the police in endeavouring to eluci-
date the mystery attending the recent child murder
at Road-hill-house, the residence of Mr. Kent. Sir
J. Awdry, who it will be remembered acted as
chairman at the late examination of Elizabeth
Gough, presided on the occasion, and there was a
large attendance of magistrates, including the Right
Hon. T. H. S. Estcourt, M.P. Lord Ernest Bruce,
M.P., Mr. Marsh, M.P., Mr. M.P.,
Q.C.,
On the reading of the report of the Constabulary
Committee,
Mr. HENEAGE wished to ask Capt. Meredith, the
chief constable, a question relating to some circum-
stances arising out of the Road murder. He ob-
served from reports in the public papers that on the
night of the murder two policemen, who were very
properly placed in Mr. Kent's house, were locked
into a room for several hours. He wished, there-
fore, to know if any notice had been taken or in-
quiry made with regard to the conduct of those
officers. (Hear, hear.)
Captain MEREDITE replied that the policemen
did not know before 2 o'clock in the morning that
they had been locked in. They might, if they had
pleased, have got out into the yard where the dog
was kept.
Mr, MEREWETHER—At what time did they go in.
Captain MEREDITH said they went in at 11 o'clock.
Mr. Kent wished them to remain in the house as a
protection to his family. It was an arrangement
between him and the superintendent at Trowbridge.
One of them belonged to Wilts and the other to
Somerset:

Mr. HENEAGE—Then they were not sent for pur-
poses of detection, but simply to protect Mr.
Kent ?
Captain MEREDITII—To a certain extent they
were,lbut they had private orders. The explana-
tion which Mr. Kent has given to the public of his
reason for locking them in is that he wished the
house to be precisely in the same state in which it
usually was. He was always in the habit of lock-
ing that door at night. The police could have got
out at the back door, but then they would have
come in contact with the d 0,..
Mr. ALEXANDER—But they were iot at liberty
to go about the house ?
Captain MEREDITH--NO.
Mr. MEREWETHER said it was somewhat gra-
tifying to know that of two policemen who were
locked into a room from 11 o'clock until two with-
out knowing it, only one belonged to the county of
Wilts. (Laughter.)
Mr. HENEAGE—I wish to know if any notice
has been taken of the conduct of either.

sidering the nature of the subject, he should be
sorry to allow it to pass by without discharging
what appeared to him to be a duty, in making onec
or two remarks; He undertook to say that the
whole of the magistrates in the county had taken
the deepest interest in the case, and he could not
see that those who were officially connected with
the district where the death took place had failed
in making the mast constant, the most vigorous,
and the most assiduous investigation into the whole
of the circumstances of the case. He did not know
that Mr. Saunders had imputed any lathes or neg-
lect to them ; but it appeared that he desired a
further investigation under the cognisance of ma-
gistrates other than those who had already taken
part in the proceedings. Now, he confessed be did
not see what good was likely to arise from
the adoption of such a system ; neither could
he see why in this case they were to depart from
the ordinary rules which guided them in others.
The only thing peculiar about the case was its
atrocity, if it was a murder, and the remarkable
mystery in which it was enveloped. The
magistrates of the district had taken every
pains to investigate the matter. They had exa-
mined every person likely to throw the slightest
light upon the occurrence; some of them had event
gone to London to ascertain the opinions of those
who
were competent to give advice • and they
adopted a further step which commended itself to
the good opinion of all, by
t
inviting the attendance
of Sir John Awdry to assist hem in conducting the
last examination. (Hear, bear.) What good, then,
would result from having another and a separate
inquiry. Having read the report of the last exa-
mination, he was at a loss to conceive what fresh
witness could be put into the box, or what fresh
clue there was to follow up. But even suppnaina-
a further inquiry to be necessary, why should it not
be be connucted by the magistrates of the division in
which Road-hill was situated ? What was there
to prevent them the moment a fresh a clue Was of-
fered from following it up? The real difficulty in
the case was that there was no clue at all. Every
man might draw his own conclusions, but those
conclusions were not evidence. Mr. Saunders had
intimated something as to the impropriety of allow-
ing the nurse to leave the county, but who, he
would ask, had a right to stop her!' (Hear, hear.)
What power was there even in a Secretary of State
to do such a thing ? Until there was some reason-
able ground, likely to lead to evidence, they had no
right to imprison any single person, and he could
not therefore agree with those who thought that
the nurse should have been prevented from leav-
ing the neighbourhood. (Hear, hear.) No man.
could say that pains had not been taken in en-
deavouring to arrive at the truth of the matter.
He believed that one public body had suggested
a commission from the Crown, but he wished to
know what such a commission could have done
more than the magistrates on the spot ? It was
the lack of evidence, the want of any clue, that
formed the real impediment in the case.
There had been no sluggishness or unwill-
ingness on the part of the local authorities. His
own opinion with regard to the case was that, inas-
much as the parties who committed the deed were
probably limited in number, and as by banding toge-
ther they had the chance of depriving the officers of
justice of the means of making out a case against
them, the best course to be pursued was not to keep
up a coptinual agitation, not to go on irritating, as
it were, the minds of those from whom they might
hope eventually to obtain positive evidence, but
rather to allow them to pursue their ordinary occu-
pations, and to trust to some incautious word or
deed on their part hereafter. When public suspi-
cion was supposed to be subsided something might
turn up which would furnish a clue to the mystery.
(Hear, hear.) He contended that Sir George Lewis
had acted rightly. in declining to recommend a
Royal commission, or to authorise such an inquiry
as Mr. •Saunders had suggested. He was of opinion
that the Secretary of State had no power to autho-
rise such an inquiry.
Mr. SAUNDERS—But was there not a private in-
quiry authorised by the Secretary of State?
Sir JOHN AWDRY—I may as well state that those
who appeared before us at Trowbridge were acting
under the authority of the Attorney-General. I
should not have been disposed to take part in any
detective examination, but, having been informed
that a regular charge was to be brought before the
magistrates, I felt that I should be wanting in
courtesy if I refused to acquiesce in the request of
some of my brother magistrates to preside over the
investigation. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. EsTeounT said it was a source of much grati-
fication to himself to find the recent investigation
presided over by one who had had so much legal
experience both in this country and in India. (Hear,
hear.) It gave a character and a weight to the pro-
ceedings, and he felt satisfied that every kind of
evidence that could be adduced was exhausted
under such superintendence. Under these circum-
stances he felt bound to oppose the motion of Mr.
Saunders, feeling assured that it would only lead
to a useless and profitless investigation. (Hear.)
The•motion not being seconded fell to the ground,
but

Captain MEREDITH—I could not find that any
blame attached to them, because they did not know
they were locked in.
Mr. T. B. SAUNDERS (one of the justices of the
Bradford division) said he wished to make a few
observations on the case. He would refrain from
using the word " murder," because it was pos-
sible, from what he had heard, that it might
turn out to be only a case of manslaughter. He
happened to be at Brighton when the case occurred,
but on his return he took the liberty of suggesting
that there should be a public inquiry, but was in-
formed that, the matter had better be left in the
hands of those magistrates who were then institut-
ing a private inquiry, and only one of whom be-
longed to the division in which Road-house was
situate. He did not wish, however, to cast an
imputation upon any parson on that account ; but,
having been asked what good were the police of
this county, who cost something like £lO,OOO a
year, when an offence of this kind could ba com-
mitted without detection, and having been informed
that a great deal of evidence could be adduced
which had not yet been publicly given, he thought
it was incumbent on the magistrates to institute
further proceedings, there being a difficulty in '
official quarters in London on the part of the Se-
cretary of State to commence or institute any such
investigation in a legal or proper manner. He
begged therefore to move that a special committee
be appointed to investigate the circumstances con-
nected with the death of Francis Saville Kent, and
the proceedings taken by the police with reference
thereto, and to report thereon to the next sessions.
If that did not meet with the approval of the Court
he would propose that the Constabulary Committee
should take the matter up and report thereon. He
saw no illegality in such a course, but would bow
with every submission and respect to the opinion
of the chairman. He had not attended any of tie
examinations, but he might mention that on the
Ist of September last he wrote to the Secretary of
State, Sir George Lewis, stating that circumstances
had come to his knowledge which induced him to
think that evidence could be brought forward
without much difficulty or expense sufficient to
justify the apprehension of two of the persons who
slept in the house on the night of the occurrence,
and sun irring, that if th-
it expedi nt to authorise an inquiry, he as a barns-
' ter would readily undertake the same, either alone

or jointly with Others, free of expense. On the sth
of September he received a reply, containing these
words : ,
"If you are in possession of any information respecting
this case, or have any suggestions to offer, it is your duty
to communicate them to your brother magistrates and to
the chief constable of the county. No special authority is
required to enable you to perform your functions as a ma-
gistrate."
To that letter he replied that he had already com-
municated with several of his brother magistrates,
and also with the chief constable, but that on his
attending one of the preliminary investigations he
was informed that it was simply of a private cha-
racter, and had better be left to those magistrates
who had taken the matter in hand. To that letter
he had received no reply. He certainly was sur-
An accident of a serious nature, and which almost
prised to find that the nurse had been allowed to
resulted in the destruction of Bedminster-bridge,
leave the county, and her having been recently Bristol, occurred on Tue3day morning, about eight
brought back for examination at Trowbridge was a o'clock. The Fanny Chapman, a vessel belonging
proof that one portion at least of his letter to the to Messrs. Lucas, African merchants, had just
Secretary of State was not ill-timed. The case now arrived, and was being towed up to Bathurst basin.
appeared to be involved in the greatest difficulty, The tide being remarkably high and coming in at
but still there were circumstances which it was of rapid rate caused the vessel to have a good way on
the utmost importance to bear in mind. In the first her, so, much that in checking her round the pier
place, the locking up of the policeman was a most with a stern rope the warp immediately parted.
unaccountable proceeding. Then again he had been There being also a fresh wind at the time, the Fanny
informed that there was a light burning over the Chapman quickly shot away from the pier into the
hall-door during the whole night when the child middle of the river, and was making rapid progress
was taken away.
Capt. MEREDITH—There is a light burning there towards the bridge when a second hawser was got.
every night. out at the landing stage, but it shared the fate of
the former. The steam-tug Tiger sti
Mr. SAUNDERS had been told that such was not vainly attemting to render assistance,.and upon
swug
the case, and he believed that evidence could be the Amelia steaming up to aid theTiger
11 kept near,
brought forward to show that that lamp was burn- round, began to
ing as late as one o'clock, notwithstanding that all the Amelia so violently that thew
round, her stern dasing against the breadside of
the inmates said they went to bed before 12, and opening of two feet,
rush into her throug.h an
that they slept with more than usual soundness.
g that she was rapidly Then again he had never heard it asked whether an of the collision.
which had been made in her side by the graat force
fill-
old scythe might not have been the instrument with
she had just time to reach
which the crime was committed. Neither had it the landing stage,
ing the captain enshdeeieoiahnv-oured to run her alongside,
been shown up to the present moment that the gar-
h hold tended to her aft end
quan-
den tools were ever examined. in leer o
andithe crew to getw
on shore when the large
tity of water and
sink
end
Captain MEREDITH—Each one of them was exa- on, gra-
mined. dually righting.
on her keel as she reached the
l the
Mean whi e Fanny Chapman, de-
Mr. SAUNDERS—May I ask if the grass on the bottom.
and caused her to rear up
lawn was cut with a scythe or anything else ? d a for the bridge,progress, was mak-
spite every attempt to stop her
ing fast hea w y .
and the crew ; a bow
Captain MEREDITH—With a scythe. Every exertion.
morade by Captain Ryder
was thrown out, but
Mr. SAUNDERS understood that it had been cut waesh
proved of no service
with a machine. Another question he wished to
.gging it without the least
whatever,an the vessel dra •
ask, whether any sweeps went up the chimney
Seeing no other alternative, the,
examine them after the child was found ? to
check to her speed.
pro- the wheel to starboard
Capt. MEREDITH—I believe not. The chimneys pilot decided on running-
bank, and for that her on shore on the mud-
were examined, but not by a sweep. purpose called out to the man at
had been
Mr. SAUNDERS considered they not.the helm, but he being told
sport,
that the order was reversed, put the helm hard.
perly examined. His own impression. i
omroper in
the case
was that the deceased saw something i
led to the keeping the vessel's head in the middle of the
that whichriver
the nursery, and that it was
The instrument with pin .„
, and thus losing the only opportunity of stop-
commission of the foul deed. ~,,
(Flit have been dis- ste g,"er, as she was then rapidly nearing Bedmin-
which it had been committed might
and he wished to r- bridge. By this time a large number of people
rhood ;
posed of in the neighboF
N-es t igat ion of the case the had assembled, watching with suspense for what
ask whether during the iniied
to the Constabular appeared the inevitable destruction of Bedminster-
chief constable had aPI?
Committee for their _
Captain INIEREDITII
advice and
assistance.
I have communicated with
y bridge, which was constructed in the same manner
as Bath-bridge, which was destroyed a few years
since by a similar accident. Capt. Able, who coin-
the maeistrates. mends another of Messrs. Lucas's vessels, and who
11communicated - •DERs---
B t have you
a. had witnessed the occurrence, hastily procured
Mr. %A" Constabulary Committee ?
new hawser from his ship, and rendered what as-
with the.
MEREDITH—No, I have not.
Captain . sistance he could ; but, as before stated, nothing
us said by the rules of ' Mr. sAtneDE... sessions it was seemed to stay the progress of the Fanny Chapman.
his duty to have .
done so, therefore, if the
Court ob- The only chance of saving the bridge appeared to
jested to the appointment of a special committee, be by the meeting itstem and
preventing vessel
) propose that the chief constable
he would
commu- every exertion was made by the pilot, captain,
• and
nicate with the Constabulary committee, so that crew, who fortunately succeeded in slightly chang-
theymight report on the subject at the next sessions. ing the direct course of the ship. As it was, how-
gr. HBNESGE said before the question was put ever, the bowsprit, which was brought up by the
to the Court he wished to ask Captain Meredith remarkable heightof the tide to level with the
a
whether there were, as stated b M Saunders, of the paving, caught the bridge
y r. flagstones
many persons yet remaining to
ed iffirnl-
n contact
evidence would be useful • hregard to the disco-
with nent for some moments, the force
Immediately
very of the murder ?visibly..
making it swerve and vibrate
red, as it were,
Captain MEREDITH replied that he was not on striking the bridge the vessel Tg
up
the stone
aware of one. He believed the whole of the evi- nearly on end, the cutwater throw
rit smashing 8 or
donee had already been exhausted by the ma- work into the road, and the bows hem h off as if they
gistrates, who had been most indefatigable through- 9of the iron railings, breakatunAtt
the Fanny Chap-
out the whole of the investigation. Even during were reeds. The tide then
sang
she swung nearly
the progress of the private examinations every- man on the port quarre,re.
d her stern settling in the
thing was taken down in writing. The whole of broadside on to the
where she resisted all efforts
the family were examined, and Mrs. Kent being in mud on the off bank,todislodge her for about half an.
too delicate a state to be brought to the court, the of the tug-beat
then slackening a new warp was
committee proceeded to Road-hill-house and exa- hour. The_tishe
was ~ stewed" round and towLd
mined her there. He had further to explain with got out, d
anqt basin. The police endeavoured to stay
reference to the constables, that their attendance to Bathuro.i.
people on the bridge immediately after
was requested by Mr. Kent, and that he himself the rushtruck, but it was found impossible to Dre-
knew nothing of it. Mr. Kent showed them into it it
nwtatshern, and notwithstanding the great peril in
the kitchen, saying, " I shall be in the library ;ati_
whichve they were placed the bridge was crowded
you hear a noise, come to me." When they
fastened,
with eager spectators. The Fanny Chapman, with
tempted to go out they found. the door
and Mr. Kent came and opened it. her valuable cargo, has not sustained any damage,
Ifr• 11 beyond the loss of her
h bowsprit, jibboom, and a
Mr. SOTHERON EXTCOURT said, althoug con.
portion of her cutwger.
Saunders'o motion hid not been sec et;
oda; Y

Mr. SAUNDERS reiterated his belief that unless
some further proceedings were taken the public
mind would not be satisfied.
Sir J. AWDRY said, without wishing to prolong
the discussion, he might observe that, with the ex-
ception of the suggestion of a scythe having been
used to inflict the wounds on the child, no point
had been brought forward by Mr. Saunders which
did not seem to have been anticipated; but he could
hardly imagine, from the manner in which the sur-
geon gave his evidence, that a scythe would have
been available for such a purpose.
The subject then dropped.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT.