The Sun.
London, England, 1828-11-18 00:00:00

DREADFUL MURDER.

On Tuesday an Inquest vitas taken before JOSENI
FRANK, Esq., Coroner of Stockton Ward, on the
bodies of Joht. and Israel Hutchinson, who were
both murdered by Joseph. Hutchinson.
William Lamb, who was first sworn, stated, that
he was son-in-law to the late John, and brother-in-
law to the late Israel Hutchinson, who were joint
occupiers of Cowley-house farm, and that he, his
wife, and child, together With Joseph Hutchinson,
the prisoner, a servant girl, anti two boys, were the.
whole of the family. That <whilst they were at
dinner on Monday, the prisoner; according to his
usual practice, left the table before the rest of the
family had done, and went into -the back kitchen,
which adjoins the room in which they were sitting.
He almoSt instantly returned with a poker in hip
hand, and struck Israel a violent blow on the back
part of his head, who fell with his head upon the
table apparently lifeless. The prisoner then aimed
a blow at witness, and slightly wounded him on the
temple with the same weapon. Witness ran and
escaped with his wife and child to Eastelose house,
about a quarter of a mile distant. On going out of
the door saw prisoner strike his father who fell. A
slight quarrel occurred in harvest time, but witness
believes them to have lived on the most friendly
terms since. He does not consider prisoner of un-
'sound mind.

Elizabeth Reed, who was next sworn, stated, that
she had lived with the deceased John and Israel
Hutchinson -for. )2 months as house-servant ; that
she was in the fold-yard serving the pigs when the
murder took place. When she first saw the pri-
soner he was going from 'the kitchen to the black-
smith's shop with a gun in his hand to seek for a
hammer. lie told her she was to go in and get her
dinner, and he would ' open her the door (which he
had locked after him). She went in with him, and
on her entrance into the kitchen, she saw the old
man on the floor bleeding profusely; She told him
not to strike his father any more. lie said he would
finish him, and struck him repeatedly over the head
with the liammer. Witness remained in the house
a few minutes, and then left it. She believes the
prisoner to be in a sound state of mind.

William Potter, or East Close, sworn, stated he
was labotirer to Lord Viscount Barrington ; that on
the alarm being given by William Lamb, be pro-
ceeded alone to the house to render any assistance in
his power. That ou his arrival there he saw the
prisoner standing at the front of the house, with a
gun in one in hand and a hammer under his left arm ;
he pointed the gun at witness, without either of them
speaking. Witness desired he would put the gun
down, and prisoner complied. Witness then went
past him into the house, and bolted the door after
him ; be saw Israel Hutchinson lying near the table
quite dead, and John lying behind the door. Wit-
ness lifted John up, and he groaned. Prisoner then
knocked at the door and wished to be let in ; wit-
ness opened the door, and said, " Joseph, you have
done a bad deed upon your father," when prisoner
said, " He is not my father ; take a spade or a
hatchet, and cut him in two." Witness remained
only a few minutes, and left him in the house abus-
ing his deceased father and brother, and telling wit-
ness if he LIM not leavO the house he would kill him.
The Jury, after a short deli`!:-;ration, returned- a
verdict of " Wilful Murder against Joseph Hutchin-
son."

Soon after the perpetration of the murder, Joseph
Hutchinson changed his clothes, and having saddled
a horse, mounted him, and rode to Durham, where
he put up, as was his usual practice, at Mr. For-
syth's, the Newcastle Arms. Here be took a pint
of ale, and asked the landlady's sister to lend him a
shilling, he having; as he observed, only 14d. in his
pocket. Mr. Forsyth's sister having refused him
the loan he solicited, he became very abusive and
left the house, after paying for his ale. On re-
mounting the horse, a fine spirited animal, which
had belonged to his unfortunate brother, he was
asked if his brother was aware that he was riding
that horse ? to which he replied, " 0 yes, he knows
very well; I left him at home mounted on a grey
pony." On leaving Durham, he proceeded at a mo-
derate pace-along tht road, which leads to the scene
of the murder, and was met near to Coxhoe by a
constable (Crossling, of Sedgfield), who had set
outalw in
eof pursuit
t‘voge of him,
ntieincsn aintd. aigxh
ilg,,ow,
hwoiltnh
he
assehaccideisiti.-
tally overtook, succeeded hi securing the murderer,
who was taken to Sedgfield to await the result of
the Coroner's inquest. The conduct of the
wretched man, when in company of the constable,
betrayed, as we are informed, evident proofs of insa-
ally. Ile spoke very incoherently; but when ques-
tioued,about the murders, he stated himself to be
happier than he had been for the last six weeks, and
spoke of the crime he had committed as a praise-
worthy act, observing that it was to be done, and
that he had done what was tight. He slept soundly on
the night after the murders. It is known that he
was in a state of derangement three years ago ; and
within the last month his conduct was so outrageous
as to oblige his late father and brother to tie his
feet, and flog him ; the recoNction of which circum-
stance is believed to have led to this most appalling
event.—Durham Chronicle, Nov. 1.5.

•
Mr. .0 CONNELL has taken such umbrage
against tte Graduates' Club, that he does not intend to die
until be sees a " Rival College" in full operation. A plot
of ground in Poolheg-street, at the rear of the Corn Ex-
change is spoken of as an appropriate site for this Irish
Stinkontalee, which is to be built by a kem,
for the use of
the subscribers. We shall make enquiries about the
Officers, Professor., kc., and lay the entire plan, ere long,
before the scientific render.—Dublin Evening Mail.

Three cows belonging to a man who per-
severed in sending his children to a Bible School in the
County Clare, were destroyed last week, by pouring spirits
of vitriol down their throats.

At Diss fair, on Saturday last; there was the
greatest 5110 W of stock of all descriptions ever seen there.
The day,was very fine, and the stock being in excellent
condition, they looked to the best advantage; but from the
want of money and credit, there was but little business
done, and that at reduced prices, even for the very best
stock, good horses excepted.—County Chronicle.

MELANCHOLY CIRCUMSTANCE,--Corporal
Wxna, of the 3d Foot Guards (who has been stationed
some years hi Bath on the recruiting service), proceeded
on Friday to Pensford, ace,onipanitil by a comrade, for tke
purpose of attending the fair on the next day. Having
arrived at the place, they proceeded to the inn, and called
fur some refreshments, which the corporal Lad
tasted, when he complained of a pain in the shoulder, fell
gently down on the seat, and instantly expired —Some"'
setthire Gazette.