The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-22 00:00:00

CHARGE of MURDER at LEDEUR

On Friday last Thomas Davies, formerly a supervisor in
the Excise, was charged before Richard Webb and James
Martin, Esqs., Earl Somers and Captain Jones, four magis-
trates for the county of Hereford, with having feloniously
killed one Elizabeth Johnson, at Liverpool, in the county of
Lancaster, by striking and beating the said Elizabeth John-
son upon the head, back, and other parts of the body.
The subject of this inquiry was the window or the late Mr.
John Johnson, formerly the landlord of the Sun Inn, in the
Butcher-row, in Ledbury. Mr. Johnson died in March, 1884,
and his widow, nearly ever since her husband's decease, has
been living with Davies, the accused. In 1844, Elizabeth
Johnson was landlady of the Crown and Sceptre Inn, in New-
street, Ledbury, -where Davies and her three children—a girl
by her husband, and two boys by Davies—were living with
her. In the November of 1844, Davies and 'Mrs Johnson,
with the three children, went to live in Birmingham,
where they did not remain long, but removed from thence to
Liverpool. In the early part of the last summer Mrs. John-
son died in the latter town, and Davies and the three chil-
dren returned to Ledbury, where Mrs. H. Meadows, a sister of
deceased, kindly adopted the girl as her own, and Davies
took lodgings for the boys. Davies, however, scon after-
wards left Ledbury in a clandestine manner, leaving the
lads totally unprovided for, and they were compelled to go to
the union-house. However, before they went there they
made some strange disclosures about the manner in which
their mother came by her death ; and their reports were con-
firmed by the testimony of the little girl at Malvern, adopted
by Mrs. Meadows. The relatives of the deceased, however,
although fully believing that she came to an untimely end,
took no steps to ascertain the truth of the reports they had
heard, till awakened from their lethargy by a paragraph de-
tailing the circumstances, which appeared in the Hereford
Times of the Bth instant, headed " A case which requires
investigation."
On the Wednesday after this paragraph appeared, Mr.
William New, strongly urged by the writer of the paragraph,
applied to the-magistrates at petty sessions for advice, and the
consequence was that the magistrates had the two boys from
the union and examined them ; and also questioned Mrs.
Caroline Russell, the youngest sister of deceased, concerning
some conversation she had had with the little girl at Malvern.
The magistrates determined on granting a warrant for the
apprehension of Davies; and on Thursday he was captured
by Superintendent Shaul; at Ross, , and brought to the lock-
up-house in Ledbury.
On the following day, as we have before stated, he was
taken before the magistrates named, when the examination
of the children was publicly taken. They stated that on a
Monday or Tuesday, previous to their coming from Liver-
pool (but they could not recollect the date of the occur-
rence), Davies and the deceased quarrelled, and that he
beat her on thebead and back, and kicked her on the legs;
they then proceeded to state that their mother slept with
them that night, that on the morrow she was very sick and
ill from the blows she had received, and that she continued
to get worse and worse till the next Saturday, when she died.
The children say, that their mother was much bruised about
the breast and bead, and had two black eyes after .death, yet
strange to say, though she had a medical attendant, no in-
quiry was instituted at Liverpool at the time of her death.
The children further say, that the doctor who attended their
mother sent women to lay her out, and paid for her coffin,
though she had been resident in Liverpool but a few weeks.
Indeed the case seems involved in mystery, which we hope
will be cleared. Atter hearing the evidence of the children,
the magistrates remanded the prisoner till Monday last,
when he was again brought before Richard Webb, Esq., and
Captain Jones ; and the former magistrate, addressing-the

,risoner, told him the course the law pointed out for hem
(the magistrates) to pursue, was to send him to Liverpool to
be examined before the magistrates there, who would deal
with the case as they thought fit. Superintendent Shead was
ordered to convey the prisoner to Liverpool, and Mr. William
New (a brother of deceased) was requested to take thither
the three children as witnesses.— Worcester Journal.

SUICIDE PROM WANT.—Yesterday forenoon, Mr.
William Carter, the coroner for Surrey, held an inquest at
the Royal Fort Tavern, Jamaica-level, Bermondsey, re-
specting the death of Thomas Pettitt, aged 84 ears, a
journeyman feltmonger, lately residing at No. 1, Thomas's-
place, Upper Grange-road, who committed suicide under the
melancholy circumstances subjoined :—Mr. John Slow, one
of the relieving officers of St. Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey,
deposed that he had known the deceased for several yearn.
In April, 1840, deceased came under his notice as an insane
person. An order was granted for his admission into the
workhouse, whither he was conveyed, and remained in the
lunatic ward for some time. His friends subsequently re-
moved him to Bethelem Hospital, in which asylum he

stopped four months, when he was taken out by his relations.
Deceased had been out of work for a length of time, and had

been receiving out-door relief from the parish. Witness
gave him relief on Monday last, at the workhouse, in Russell-
street. The deceased was then very dejected, and had a wife
and five children dependent on him for their support. Wit-
ness believed that the family had been suffering great priva-
tion. George Pettitt, the brother of the deceased, stated ha
called to see him on Monday afternoon last, between one
and two o'clock. The wife opened the door, and said the
deceased was very ill, and had gone to bed. Witness went to
the room up stairs, and there discovered him suspended to
the top of the bed-post by a strong cord. Witness cut him
down, and found that his throat was cut in a frightful man-
ner. There was a razor lying on the floor covered with
blood, which had also streamed over the bedding and floor.
Witness ran for Mr. Sharpe, the surgeon, who came with
promptitude, but life was extinct. Deceased had forced a
packing-needle into his breast, and inflicted a frightful
wound across the stomach, and he had made other incisions

about various parts of his person. Witness was of opinion
that deceased had inflicted the injuries with the razor after
he had suspended himself. He was formerly in the service
of Messrs. Cowderoy, of Long-lane, Bermondsey, but had
been out of work for a long period, which seemed to prey
very heavily on his mind. Other evidence having been ad-
duced, the Coroner remarked at considerable length on the
distressing nature of the case, after which the jury returned
a verdict of " Temporary insanity." After the inquiry, the
jury and several gentlemen in the room raised a subscrip-
tion for the immediate relief of the destitute family, which
was placed in the hands of Mr. John Slow, the summoning
officer, who lost no time in handing the money over to the
distressed widow,

SPAFIELDS BURIAL-GROUND.-011 Thursday even-
ing the second meeting under the reference made by an order
of the Court of Queens Bench to Mr. Bramwell, barrister, to
ascertain in what manner the burial-ground in Spafields
was in future to be condncted, was held at his chambers in
the Tempe. Mr. Wakeling, the vestry-clerk of St. James,
Clerkenwell, at whose instance the prosecution was insti-
tuted for an alleged nuisance, against the several defendants.
attended, as also Mr. Lewis, of the firm of Lewis and Lewis,
for the other side. The first meeting was held so long ago
as August last, and the Learned Gentleman, who objected to
the presence of reporters, promised to ascertain by the next
meeting whether they might attend, again objected, until he
had made inquiry on the subject. The solicitors raised no
objection, but the referee thought it incumbent on him to be
advised on the matter before he granted the application. He
commenced hearing evidence, in order to arrive at the ques-
tion submitted to his consideration. It is expected that se-
veral further meetings will take place.
THE CONDEMNED PIRATES.—NO official intima-
tion of the determination of the judges on the questions
argued on Saturday has yet been received. We understand.
however, on good authority, that the prisoners have been
further respited for a fortnight, from Monday next, the 24th
instant, when the present respite will expire.— Western Lu.
COMPLETION OF THE IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDE
PARK.—The workmen to the number of 200, that have bees
employed by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests,
making the numerous improvements throughout every pats
of Hyde Park for upwards of four months, have completed
their undertakings. There are now thirty-two long, broad,
and excellent gravel-walks made, which communicate wits
every gate throughout the Park.
ENLARGEMENT OF THE GREEN PARK.—Yesterday
the workmen completed the removing of the iron and wooden
railings which inclosed the garden belonging to Earl Coven-
try, in the Green Park, fronting Coventry House, Piccadilly,
the whole of which is now thrown open to the public, being
an addition of three acres of land to the Green Park. The alter-
ations of widening Piccadilly are proceeding rapidly, and will
be completed in about a fortnight.
EXTRAORDINARY DEMAND FOR Q's.— It is stated
that the demand by the printers for this little letter q is so.
great, that the type-founders are doing nothing else but
casting for it. So many esquires have found their way into
print, that the printers have been thrown out of their calcu-
lations, and the supply is not adequate to the demand.
SINGULAR MATCH. Yesterday a rat'ner novel
match was decided, in the presence of a good number of
sporting men, near Merton, Surrey. The terms of the match
were, that a horse, produced by Mr. Lenard, would cover
twelve miles of ground within one hour, in the following
manner :—Trot five miles, gallop five miles, and walk two
miles. The stakes were ten pounds a side. The horse com-
menced by trotting five miles, which was done in nineteen
minutes; one mile was then walked in ten minutes; the
horse was then galloped, and covered the five miles in eighteen
minutes and a half. The horse had twelve and a half minutes
to conclude the match, by walking one mile, which was done
in eleven minutes; and the twelve miles were accomplished
in fifty-eight minutes and a half, and the match won.
SUICIDE AT EDMONTON—Yesterday morning, at
seven o'clock, a man named John Joshua B. Stevens, re-
siding in Fore-street, Edmonton, who was living on a pension
he had been in the receipt of for many years from the East
India Company, was found dead in bed by his landlady, he
having nearly severed his head from his body. The deceased.
who was in his sixty-seventh year, would have been married
which
in a few days to a respectable widow, named Flack, with
whom he stated it was his intention to have lived at.a hones
in
nhietuhrae,d taken .
was Fo
yester-
day
vto have been conveyed there. It is said he was in Cn
purpose r
e- r
aede t, the lease
purchased
some
of which
fu furniture,
ex-
pectation of a remittance from the East Indies, and that be
had appeared in a desponding way in consequence of its non-
iv
a il. A razor, the handle of which had been tied with
some tape, was found by his side.
LICENSED BROKERS PROTECTION SOCIETY.—The
first anniversary of the formation of this body was cobs.
brated last night at the Crown Tavern, Clerkenwell-greens
when about fifty persons sat down to an excellent supper,
p
provided by Mr. Hinton, the proprietor of the house. It
was pleasing to observe that the company maniiested a de-
voted concurrence in the objects of their institution, which
gives an early earnest of its growth and success. Of its
utility there can be no doubt, for whilst on the one hand a
body of men, taking so large a share in the business of this
country as the brokers, is prompted and almost compelled
to act honestly, and legally so, on the other, must the public
be spared the wanton excesses of those who hitherto have
disgraced the trade.
SOCIETY or ARTS.— A third adjourned special
meeting of the members was held on Wednesday evening, to
take into consideration some proposed alterations in the re-
gulations of the Society. It is much regretted by its friends
that, notwithstanding all the attempts that have recently
been made for its resuscitation, sonic most strenuous exer-
tions are required to prevent its dissolution, although it has
been in existence for nearly a century.
MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION OF PIGEONS.—During
the past fortnight, several persons in the vicinity of ?rury-
lane, keepers of pigeons, have found their birds, although
in Bear-yard
Churns, residing
ao a young matt
healthy but a few hours previous, dead in their houses. on
Saturday last, a person named Chu
found nine out of fifteen dead, and on Tuesday, a
named Adams, a neighbour, found the whole
flightaccmitlillsishedie
(thirteen) dead. This led to an inquiry, when
it was disco-
veredwhole of them bad been poisoned.
that the
manner in which this diabolical act has been
still a mystery. Th.
y•—The Unit states that
HORRIBLE DISCOVER •
some masons in demol6bing a house in the Rue St. Nicholas
d'Antil discovered nine human skeletons. It was the opinion
of the professional men who have inspected thoett remains,
that the remotest crime (for the sktletons were those of mur-
dered persons no doubt) must have been committed 15 years
since, and the most recent 15 months ago. The person who
inhabited the house, which has for many years been known
as a house of ill-fame, has been arrested.
On Thursday, the price of bread, whisk was last week
reduced to Ql,4„,.ter vartern loaf at the eastern parte Qf
metropolis, .raised to 7d.

SIR,—The writer of this address begs to call to your atten-
tion the inconvenience and unpleasantness experienced by
commercial gentlemen, by the practice now generally adopted
of an indiscriminate admission into the travellers' room of
individuals not members of that body.
The room professed to be exclusively appropriated to their
use, is too commonly occupied by persons ushered in to suit
your convenience, and utterly regardless of the infringement
on the privacy they require, to regulate their samples and ad-
just their accounts. To use a mild expression, it is an indig-
nity offered them.
You will act wisely to receive this friendly admonition,
and promptly apply the remedy. lest you compel them to the
alternative, either to seek other houses, or to adopt in yours
a scale of expenditure suited to the treatment they receive
from you.
Devonf ort, Nov. 18.

AN OLD TRAVELLR.

Tug COURT.—According to present arrangements,
her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert will take
their departure from Windsor Castle, on Tuesday next, for
Osborne House, proceeding from Windsor to the Farnborough
station, and thence in the state carriage of the South-Western
Railway Company to Gosport, where the Fairy yacht will be
in attendance to convey the Queen and the Prince to the
Isle of Wight. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales
and the Princess Royal will accompany their illustrious pa-
rents. The Princess Alice and Prince Alfred will remain at
Windsor, under the care of the Dowager Lady Lvttelten,
during the sojourn of the Court at Osborne House. Her Ma-
jesty and the Prince Consort are expected to return to Wind-
sor about the 4th or sth proximo. The Christmas festivities
will be kept up this year at the Castle with more than usual
splendour. Several distinguished dinner parties will be given
by her Majesty.
Davos:rola, Nov. 19.—His Imperial Highness
.4 the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia and suite, the Russian
Ambassador, Baron Brunnow, secretary, and suite, visited the
Itoyal:Theatre, Plymouth, last evening. The Duke appeared
highly gratified with the entertainment, in which was intro-
duced some Russian dances. On the entrance of the royal
party a hearty burst of applause greeted his Imperial High-
ness from every part of the house. The Royal Prince has
signified his intention of visiting the laboratory of' W.
Snow Harris, Esq., of Windsor-place, Plymouth, in order to
witness some experiments in electricity. Mr. Harris is
the well-known inventor of the lightning-conductors now
in general use in the British navy, and this gentleman
has lately received from the Emperor of Russia, the father
of his Imperial Highness, a distinguished acknowledgment
of; his Majesty's appreciation of the eminent services
Mr. Harris has rendered, not only to his own country,
but to the whole world, by his invention. His Imperial
highness the Grand Duke and Baron Brunnow made a pri-
vate visit to Sir Samuel Pym, at the dockyard this morning.
His Imperial Highness dames with that Gallant Officer on
Saturday, and a select number of the Admiral's friends. A.
large evening party and a ball will follow. The Duke Fer-
dinand of Saxe Coburg and his son Prince Leopold were pre-
vented from proceeding to Lisbon in the Black Eagle Admi-
ralty steam-yacht, Master-Commander B. Cook, from Devon-
port, on Tuesday, by the bad weather which prevailed
throughout the night. On Wednesday, at 1.30, P.M., his
Royal Highness, attended by Colonel Wylde, landed from
the Black Eagle, at the King's Stairs, Mount Wise, in Use
Admiral Superintendent's barge, and proceeded to the Royal
llotel, to call on the Grand Duke Constantine, and at half-
pasf two visited Sir Samuel Pym, and inspected the various
'departments of the dockyard. It is expected the Black Eagle
will proceed to Lisbon so soon as the weather permits.
CITY IMPROVEMEgTS.—Notices have been posted
on the church of St. Peter ad Vincula, and other churches in
thl vicinity of the Tower, of the intention of the Commis-
sidnqrs of Woods and Forests, to apply to Parliament next
session for an Act empowering them to widen and improve
George-street, Tower- hill, and to purchase all the property
in Great Tower-hill, Trinity-square, George-street, and
Postern-row, all within the precincts of Old Tower-without.
This is a much desired improvement, as opening a direct car-
riage communication between the London and. St. Katharine
Docks and the City."*„
RAILWAY SURVEYORS.—At the Petty Se sions at
Ashendon this week, four charges were preferred against two
surveyors and their assistants. At the instance of the Duke
of Bnckingham, Messrs. G. T. Greightley and G. Badge,
surveyors, and J. Wright and E. Evans, labourers, employed
li
in making surveys for the South and Midland Railway, were
charged with committing damages on a farm at Westcott,
the property of the Dike, and in the occupation of George
Xlernan. Mr. Nash, of Henley, who appeared for the par-
ties charged, expressed his desire to compromise the case.
The Magistrates assented to it, but Mr. King, who said he
was instructed on behalf of the Duke of Buckingham, would
~not consent to this proposal. He said his instructions were
t' press the charges. Evans was charged with breaking a
fence and damaging it to the amount of one penny. Wright
was charged with chopping up a fence and damaging it to
the amount of sixpence. Messrs. Greightley and Rudge
were charged with having each committed damage to the
amount of twopence. Evans wag ordered to pay 21. 10s. fine,
And damages and expenses 130-. 7d. ; Wright 21 10s. fine,
And 10s. 3d. costs; Greightley 21.105. fine, and 9s. Bd. costs;
and Rudge 21. 10e. fine, and 9s. M. costa. Mr. Di ash paid the
sums forthwith.
Tits LATE ACCIDENT ON THE MIDLAND RAIL-.
wAy.--LEEDg, WEDNESDAY.—We regret to have to an-
asounce that another death, resulting from the accident on
the Midland line, near Barnsley, on the 20th alt., took place
this morning. We reported at the time of the accident that
.A.in addition to the serious injuries received by Mr Co •
goner Boteler, which proved fatal,
_ Pollee.eergurt.
'Stubbs, of the Leeds detective force, suffered • eempound
'fracture of the leg. Although the operation of setting the
leg was satisfactorily performed, the case has terminated
'fatally, and he died on Wednesday morn ing, at five o'clock,
leaving a family of six young children wholly unprovided
for. This is a case well calculated to excite the deepest
sympathy, and it is to be hoped that the Midland Railway
Company will make some provision for these helpless
orphans.
FALL Or A METEOR.—On Saturday last a meteoric
atone fell in the territory of the commune of Meynes (France).
The wind was southerly, the heavens dark, and rain with
hail fell in torrents at the time. The course taken by the
meteor was in the direction of the mountains, which bound
the horizon north of Meynee. The damage done was im-
mense--trees were torn up by the roots, and many persona
received severe injuries.
Count tv Co' rsay has left town with the Earl and
Countessof CheattelW.d. for their seat, Bretby Pant, near
Ashby-de-la-Zontis.