The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-15 00:00:00

THE DOUBLE MURDER AND SUICIDE

AT WORCESTER.

All doubts as to the fate of Mrs. Harris, who, as
stated in The Sun of last Saturday, was supposed
to have been drowned in the Severn with her two
children, have been removed by the discovery of
the body of the woman about a mile below Wor-
cester. As a policeman was plying his vocation on
the river on Thursday he picked up the body float-
ing on the water. There can be no doubt that the
supposition as to the fate of Mrs. Harris hazarded
in The Sun of last Saturday was a correct one,
and that, irritated to frenzy by the continued
bickerings with her husband and the threats of his
sister, she rushed from the house and plunged her-
self and her two children into the river, which runs
only about 50 yards from Harris's house. The body
cf the infant had not been discovered yesterday.
It being known that Harris, the husband, would
be taken before the magistrates at Worcester
yesterday, a large body. of people of the labouring
classes, principally women, besieged the door of the
Guildhall for hours before he was brought up, and
it was only by considerable exertions that the police
could keep the mob from executing Lynch law upon
the prisoner. He was charged with assaulting his
wife on the night when she left her husband's house,
but the whole details of the quarrels between him
and the deceased woman for several days previous
to the murder and suicide were gone into. A num-
ber of witnesses were examined, who proved that
the prisoner had repeatedly quarrelled with his
wife, and struck her ; that she was a woman of con-
siderable spirit, and resisted this treatment actively,
and that consequently the two had been more than
once seen flghting,,,together. On the day of the
suicide they quarrelled at dinner time, when Harris
seized his wife by the throat and nearly throttled
her, and when he releawd her she struck him with
the poker on the arm, inflicting a rather severe
hurt. At tea time the quarrel was renewed, and
Mrs. Harris, speaking of her sister-in-law, accused
her of unsober habits, on which Harris told his
mother, and soon after the sister carve down to
Harris's house and threatened to kill his wife. A
lodger held the sister-in-law while Mrs. llarris fled
from the house with her children to escape her vio-
lence, and it is supposed went directly to the river.
Mr. Kerr, of the Royal Porcelain Works, where
Harris is employed, gave him a good character. He
has been in that establishment ever since his ap-
prenticeship. The magistrates decided on remand-
ing the prisoner until the inquest on Mrs. Harris
had been held.

1718 INFAN2' MURDER AT HACKNEY,

COMMITTAL OF THE ACCUSED.

Sarah Jane Wiggins, charged with the murder
of James White, a child between three and four
years of age, the son of a man with whom she co-
habited at Clarence-cottages, Hackney, was placed
before Mr. D'Eyncourt, at the Worship-streetPolice-
court, yesterday, for the production of further evi-
dence against her.
recollected that at the former examina-
tion the magistrate directed that the youngest girl
(sister of the deceased) should be fully instructed
in the sacred nature of an oath ; consequently, In-
spector Williamson,• of the N division, had both
children placed under the care of Mrs. Driscoll,
matron of the Hackney Union, and a communica-
tion from the Rev. Mr. Gordon, St. John's, Hack-
ney, was now handed to the bench, certifying that
their testimony might be safely received.
A miniature doll and exact counterpart of the
bedstead to which the child had been bound, was
produced by Inspector Williamson, as also the actual
rail, with fluff of rape attached to it, a fact to be
accounted for by the rope itself being in part un-
ravelled. _ _ _

The evidence of the younger child, Sarah White,
was then taken as follows :

Mr. D'Eyneourt—How old are .you ?
Witness—Not seven, sir. lam sister of the lit-
tle boy who died.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—Do you recollect the niglit be-
fore he died ? _

IVitnevs—Yes, sir ; I went to bed about 7 o'clock.
Sister Fanny put me to bed. Mother was out.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—Did you see your little brother
tied. ?
Witness—Yes, sir; mother tied him up.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—lave these children been in
the habit of calling the prisoner " mother ?"
Father of the children—Yes, sir.
Mr. D'Eyncourt (to the witness)—lf you were in
bed, did you not go to sleep?
Witness—Yes, sir; but I woke up.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—Did you see how he was tied
up ?
Witness—Yes, sir; the rope went round his
body.

(The child here placed the doll with its back to
the under part of the rail crossing the top of the
bedstead at the foot end, but with the face turned
towards the hoad of the bedstead, thus enabling
any one lying on the bed to see the features.)
Mr. D'Eyncourt—How were his hands tied?
Witness—Behind him, sir ; I am certain of it.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—Did he cry ?
Witness—He kept on " sifling," a sort of hard
breathing.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—Was his head or chin tied in
any way ?
IVitnesi—No, sir.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—How was his head ?
Witness—Hanging down, sir.
Mr. D'Eyneourt—How long was he kept there ?
Witness—l went to sleep, but when I awoke in
the morning he was still there.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—When was he taken down ?
was
Witness—Mother took him down while I
getting up. •
Mr. D'Eyncourt—Did ho speak?
Witness—l did not hear him, sir.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—Did this woman sleep in the
same bed ?

Witness—Yes, sir.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—Did you, during that night,
see anything else done by her to your brother ?
Witness—l saw her get out of bed and " chop"
him under the chin, but she did not say anything.
Mr. TrEyneourt—What things had your brother
on him ?
Witness--A shirt; no socks or shoes ; not any
nightcap.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—Did you see any blood ?
Witness—No, sir.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—Did you ever see him tied
round the head?
Witness—No, sir. I saw him tied all night to
the bed-post, this (left hand).
Mr. D'Eyncourt-LlVhat was that for ?
Witness—Because he " dropped" in his trousers.
Mr. D'Eyneourt—And what was he fastened for
the night before ho died ?
Witness—Bccause be cried for water, sir.
Mr. D'Eyneourt—And when did you see your
brother dead ?
Witness—When I came home from school, sir.
Fanny White, the little girl previously examined,
was then questioned by the magistrate, and per-
sisted in asserting, as her sister had, that the cords
were tied with the arms behind; that she had never
noticed a cord round the child's head or chin, and
that no impediment existed to his calling out or
making any noise.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—lf this is so, the marks (the
curve described passing beneath the chin to the
ears) must be accounted foe in some other way. Do
you suppose it impossible those marks could have
been made by the bandage placed round the face to
protect the abscess ?
Dr. Macon—That was a broad piece of wrapping.
I should say certainly not.
sped to the state-

meat of the children that the rope was secured with
the arms behind the body ?
Dr_ Hacon—The opinion I at first formed that
they were fastened in front, I have no reason to
alter; and I believe all those marks to have been
made certainly within twelve hours of the death.
That is my opinion.
Mr. D'Eyucourt—The gentleman who co-ope-
rated with you at the post-mortem examination
(Mr. Wright, of Clapton-square) will be subpoenaed
to attend the trial. (To the father of the children)
—Was the boy a heavy child ?
Father—He was not a lusty child. I should
say rather light in weight for his age.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—ls this the whole of the eTi-
deuce ?

Inspector Willisamon—lt is, sir.
Mr. Hurlston (thief clerk)—Do not the parish
prosecute ?

Inspector—No, sir, they Object to do so.
Mr. D'Eyncourt—Now, prisoner, have you any-
thir.s to say ? You have heard the evidence, do
you wish to say anything to the charge of wilfully
murdering this child ?
Prisoner (feebly)—No, sir.
The depositions having been fully completed by
Mr. Hurlston, the witnesses were bound over to
attend and give evidence at the Old Bailey Sessions
next ensuing.
The conduct of the prisoner during eachexamina-
tion has been of precisely a similar character, that
of an attentive observer 'of the whole evidence,
while calmly leaning on the dock, but without, save
on one occasion, evincing the slightest feeling, and,
on being locked up, partaking freely of refresh-
ment.

Mr. D'Eyncourt refused an application on the
part of a relative tf the children to be allowed the
care of them until the trial, the worthy magistrate
observing that they would remain in the workhouse,
well attended to.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

NEWMARKET SECOND OCTOBER MEETING.

FRIDAY.

Fifty Pounds, for three:yr-olds and upwards. Optional
selling weights, &c. A.F. 1 mile 2 fur. 73 yds.
Mr. Seaman's Hop Merchant, 3 yrs (£100)., 7st 21_1)) _

(Edwards) 1
Mr. Bryan's Odd Follow, 3 yrs (£100), 7st 21b.. (Daley) 2
Mr. Halford's Emblem, 3 yrs, (X 100), 7st 21b (Charlton) 3
The following also ran :—Stapleton, Grisolda, Little Nat,
and Coxcomb.

Betting-5 to 4 agst Odd Fellow, sto 1 each agst Hop
Merchant and Emblem.

Won by three lengths ; a neck between the second and
third; bad fourth. The winner was claimed by Mr. G.
Bryan.

Sweepstakes of 10 sous each, for 2-yr olds; colts, Bst 71b;
and fillies, Bst 41b. The winner to be sold for 150 sous.,
if demanded, &c. Last half of Ab. M. 3 furlongs 217
yards. 3 subs.
Mr. G. H. Smith's Ringlet, Bst 41b .. (Keeler) 1
Mr. Hitchen's Swertha, Bst 41b (Cress well) 2
Mr. Jackson's Brother to Remedy, Bst 71b.. (J. Osborne) 3
Betting-5 to 4on Ringlet, 6to 4 agst Brother to
Remedy, 6 to 1 agst Swertha (offered).
Swertha led, but her jockey stopped her close upon th;
chair and allowed Ringlet to win by a neck ; three quarters
of a length between the second and third, Cresswell was
suspended from riding again at Nowmarkat until further
notice. Ringlet was'claimed by Mr. Ilitchen, and Swertha
was claimed by Mr. Jackson. ,

Handicap Sweepstakes of 20 sons each, and only 5 ft if

declared, to go to the owner of the second horse. T.Y.C.
5 fur. 140 yards. 12 subs ,6 of whom pay 5 sovs ft.
Mr. Ilitchen's Sobersides, 3 yrs, Est 91b (Perry) 1
Mr. Merry's Lord of Lorn, 4 yrs, Bst 61b (Plumb) 2
Mr. Payne's llarlestone, 3 yrs, sst 81b (Drew) 3
Tho following also ran :—Woodburn, Gallus, and
Scribbler.

Betting---6 to 5 agst Harlestone, sto 1 agst Woodburn,
6 to 1 each agst Sobersides and Scz:ibbler, 8 to 2 agst Gallus.
Won by a head; same distance between the second and
third ; Gallus was a bad fourth. Woodburn was fifth, and
Scribbler sixth. -On returning to scale Plumb, the rider of
Lord of Lorn, lodged a complaint against Perry, the jockey
of Soborsides, for foul riding, but the charge was not proved.
Match, 300 h ft. Bst 71b each. T.Y.C.
Sir J. Hawloy's Van, by. Vanderdecken, Bst 71b (Wells) 1
Lord Glasgsw's colt by Barbatus, Bst 71b (Ald4oft) 2
Betting-5 to 2on Flutter colt, who led to the cords,
when Van challenged, avid won a fine race in by a head.
The Prendergast Stakes of 50 soya each, for 2-yr-olds ;
colts, Bst 71b ; and fillies Bst 51b. Winners extra. T.Y.C.

22 subs.
Mr. J. Merry's Thormanby, Bst 101 b (in. 31b ex.)
(J. Osborne) 1
Mr. Groville's Contadina, Bst 81b (in. 31b ex.) (Fordham)
Baron Rothschild's King of Diamonds, 9st 21b 91b ex.)
(Wells) 3
Rose of Cashmere, Man-at-Arms, Urania, and Arethusa
also ran.
Betting-7 to 4 agst Thormanby, 2to 1 agst Contadina,
5 to 1 agst Arethusa, 7 to 1 agst King of Diamonds.
Thormanby, Contadina, and Arethusa ran nearly abreast
to tho cords, where Arethusa was beaten, and Thormanby
came ou, with Contadina in waiting, and won easily by a
length; three-quarters of a length between the second and
third; bad "fourth. - - - -

Handicap Sweepstakes of 15 sous each, 10 ft, for 2-yr-olds
and 3-yr-olds. T.Y.C. 14 subs.
:Nil-. Saxon's Orcus, 3 yrs, Bst Dlb (L. Snowden) 1
Mr. Savile's Parmesan, 2 yrs, 6st 131 b ..... (J. Daley) 2
Mr. Harlan's Ochiltree, 3 yrs, Bst 121 b (Hibbord) 3
The following also ran :—Nessus, Clementina, Sweet-
meat filly, Apollyon, Simple Simon, Rowena, Gang For-
ward, and Miss Sarah.
Betting-5 to 2 agst Apollyon, 3to 1 agst Parmesan, sto
1 agst Orcus, 8 to 1 agst Gang Forward.
Won by six lengths, same distance between second and
third, Nessus was fourth, Sweetmeat filly fifth, and the
Rowena colt sixth.

Sweepstakes of 500 sovs each, 200 ft. T.Y.C. 3 subs.
Mr. Hall'sESel?lusi.on, Bst 51b
Mr. F. Robinson'saAlumrow raE, (Charlton) 1
Sir J.Hawley's
gslsetnStiinbe, Bst 81b .... (Wells) 2
Betting-5 to 4 agst Seclusion, 2to 1 agst A(uA. Day)rors 3
to
2 agst Madame Eglantine.
The favourite made play throughout, and wcn by three
lengths, two lengths between the seeend and third; Madame
Eglantine was very fractious at the post.
Handicap Sweepstakes of 10 sovs each. First half of Ab. M.
Mr. Robinson's Actaeon, 3 yrs Oct 41b.... (A. Day) tw.o.
Mr. Payne's Pandora, 3 yrs, yrs,
(Custanco)
Mr. Barnard's Pauline filly, 2 yrs, sst 41b (Reeves) 3
The following also ran :—Tho Leper, Blackthorn, Brown
Middleton, Cincinnati, Lansquenet, The Gift, Roesia, and
Senorita filly.
Betting-3 to 1 agst Blackthorn, 4to 1 agst Aeficon, 6
to 1 agst Pandora.
Actaeon and Pandora ran together from the cords, the
result being a dead heat; the Pauline filly was beaten by a
length and a half; Blackthorn was fourth, the Roesia filly
fifth, and Lansquenet sixth.
After the dead heat Actaeon walked over, and Mr. F. Ro-
binson and Mr. Payne divided the stakes.
Sweepstakes of 10 sovs each, for 2-yr-old-. Colts, Bst 71b;
fillies, Bst ilb. Optional selling weights, Szo. First half
of AU. M. 9 subs.
Duke of Bedford's Golden Pippin (£4O), 7st 121 b
(J. Mann) 1
Mr. Roseland's Fair Maid of Kent (£4O), 7st 12Ib
(Custance) 2
Mr. Ilitchin's Swertha (X4O), 7st 121 b (Challoner) 3
The following also ran :—Knayton, Maria, Ladybird,
Fern Leaf, Turn-of-Luck, and Rosalind.
Betting-2 to 1 agst Swertha, 4to 1 agst Fern Loaf, sto
1 agst Golden Pippin, 7 to 1 agst Turn-of-Luck.
Won by three-quarters of a length, a head between the
seconda
furlongsYt °lle
second and third; Turn-of-Luck was fourth, an
fifth. The winner was claimed.
Match, 200, h ft, Bst 71b each. T.M.M. 1 mile
158 yards)

Duke of Bedford's Luff, Sst 71b ............ (FOrdham) 1
'
MBr.elt3tainyoneL to 4on Rechab. Luff made all the running,
Sst 71b .................. (Wells) 2
and won by a length.

Match, 200, h ft. Last three-quarters of Ab.f.
MrCo Terthwaites Twilight, 3 yrs, Est 7113 ..... (Bray) 1
; SZelley's Lord Berkeley, 5 yrs, 6st ....(Grimshaw) 2
Betting-5 to 4on Twilight, who .w on by two lengths.
Match, 200, h ft, Bst 71b each. Last half of Ab.M.
Air. H. Savile's Mainstay colt ............ ) (Ashmall 1
Mr. Payne's Sister to Pandora ...... ..
... (L. Snowden) 2
Even betting.
Won by a length.
Selling Handicap of 10 sows each, 5 ft. The winner to be
sold
Nino for 100
sous if demanded, R.M. (Imile 17 yards.)
su
Mr. Hitchen's Sobersides, 3 yrs, Est 121 b ........ (Bray) 1
Mr. G. Lamberts Queenstown, 4 yrs,Bst....(Fordham) 2
5 yrs, Bst .......... (Holden) 3
Mr. T. Brown's Nereus,
The following also ran :—Amsterdam, Greenwich Fair,
Volatore, Dove, Minster, Van Dieman.
Betting-3 to 1 agst Sobersides, sto 1 each agst Greenwich
Fair, Queenstown, and Van Dieman, 8 to 1 agst Amster-
dam, 10 to 1 agst Nereus.
Won by a/length and a half, a length between the second
and third.
The winner was claimed by Mr. Lambert.

LATEST BETTING.
10 to 1 agst Artless (taken freely)
11 to 1 agst.North Lincoln
100 to 7 agst Ariadne
20 to 1 agst Volta

TUE DERBY'.
100 to 6 ngst Thormanby (taken)
TIIE GREAT PIGEON MATCII.
Tho great pigeon match between Mr. Frere, and Mr. King, of Indiana, was resumed
yesterd of Ban's,
ay at
market —Mr. King won, killing 65 birds out of 41 New-
shots to Mr. Frere's 47 out of 38 double shots, the double
gcontest latter
gentleman declinin tho at that stage, cousplaining
of indisposition, being at the moment of cessation 14 birds
Mr. King's gross score being 107 birds killed
bl3e2hind'
shot at, and Mr, Frew killing 86 out of 120 shot out of
at.