The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-18 00:00:00

MURDER OF A SIUDENT BY A SOLDIER

CHICHESTER, OCT. 17.
A fine young man, named Outon, a student of
Bishop Otter's Training College, was shot last
night at a little before 12 o'clock by a soldier.
Police constable Pullen, who was on duty in Somers-
town, hearing the report of a rifle, followed by
fearful screams, which he thought proceeded from
the direction of the barracks, which are situate to
the north part of the city, went immediately in that
direction, returning by Oaklands, the seat of Mr.
IL W. Freeland, M.P., when, shortly after passing
Bishop Otter's College, he heard groans proceeding
from an adjoining field, in which he found Outon
lying on the ground in the greatest agony. The
inmates of the college, some of whom had heard the
report of the rifle, were shortly on the spot, and
several persons who were passing rendered every
assistance to convey the sufferer to the college,
where he shortly afterwards expired, but not before
he had stated that " he had been shot by a soldier,
who sat on the gate, as he approached to get over
the stile, and that after he had done it he ran off
down the lane towards Deer Hole." No provoca-
tion was given by the young man, who was on his
return from spending the evening with a respectable
family in the city. The ball of the rifle passed
through the abdomen and out at the back, but
little blood escaping from the wounds. As may
be imagined, the greatest excitement has existed in
the city. Immediately on the discovery of the
murder, Superintendent Everett communicated the
fact to the commanding-officer of the garrison, Col.
Wright, who, with great promptitude, sent out a
body of soldiers in search of the murderer, for it
was well known that a soldier named Cleary was at
large and in the possession of his rifle and ball cart-
ridge. The grounds of Mr. 11. W. Freeland, M.P.,
were surrounded and scoured by detached parties
without avail ; every house of bad repute in the city
was searched without effect. '1 he number of mili-
tary was now increased to some 200 men, with a
dozen cavalry, who were sent to scour the woods at
Goodwood, Captain Valentine, the steward of the
estate, lending the aid of the gamekeepers in the
search, which continued without avail until twelve
o'clock, when Mr. Henry Sadler, jun., of Hamp-
nett, found Cleary's rifle, loaded, and with a cap on,
which he had evidently thrown away on getting
clear of the city. This was found in the ditch of a
water meadow, through which a pathway runs to
join the main road leading to Arundel and Little-
hampton. At the time at which this is written the
man is at large; still great hopes are entertained of
his speedy capture. Outon is the son of a trades-
man, at Rowlands Castle, near Havant. Cleary,
the soldier who shot him, is 21 years of age, stands
five feet and three-quarters high, of sallow com-
plexion, -with dark brown hair and hazel eyes ; he
has the mark of a scar in the middle of his right
fore arm, with the letter Don the left side. He is
a native of Ireland. He had on at the time of
breaking out of the barracks a tunic coat or jacket,
black cloth or regimental trousers, and took with
him his rifle, with ten rounds of ball ammunition
and his greatcoat. He bears a bad character in the
50th Regiment, to the depot of which he was
attached. In October, 1861, he deserted ; after-
wards he was tried and convicted for stealing pro-
perty belonging to an officer. Very recently he has
had six days' extra drill given him for bad conduct,
for which it is conjectured he meant to have his
revenge, but shot the wrong man. Bishop Otter's
College is situate a short distance to the north-east
of the city, the approach to it being up a darkish
lane, called Love•lane.