The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-20 00:00:00

1:1ff 81.71 k, -14-oNDON, IiATITB,DA.Y!

APPALLING :MURDER.
We are to-day called upon to record one of the most
appalling murders which probably ever took place
within the circle of the Channel Islands. The name of
the victim is Thomas Hodge, the name of the murderer
John Noon, both seamen. It apptars that the individual
wha has thus fellen a victim to brutal violence and pas-
sion, was a sailor belonging to a vessel hick trades be-
tween the port of Jersey and Newfoundland. About
three weeks ago he arrived in St. Helier's from the
letter place, and took up his lodgings at a respectable
house in Mulcaster-street, generally frequented by the
better class of seamen who have occasion to be some
time in harbour. He was universally respected as a
quiet, orderly, individual. On Wednesday last, the
10th instant, being the anniversary of his birthday,
he treated his friends to an entertainment in the house
in which he resided. In return for the compliment,
his fellow-lodgers, being just on the eve of departure
for a distant port, invited him on the evening of Sa-
turday last to a farewell entertainment in the house at
which they bad all mutually taken up their resi-
dence. The hour of ten had arrived, and the whole
party were quietly seated at supper, when the individual
who is at prevent in custody upon the atrocious charge
of wickedly depriving a fellow-creature of his life, in-
truded upon their innocent hilarity. He had only
arrived in port some few hours before from a long
vovage, and, as was also his usual custom, had re-
paired to the boarding-house where the melancholy
catastrophe was fated to take place. Seating himself
down in the very midst of the pompany, he forthwith
began to use language which ordinary tit cency would pre-
vent us from repeating ; oaths and imprecations, and the
moat obscene epithets flowing from his lips in the most
admired rapidity. At last, however, his conduct seems
to have proceeded beyond all further endurance, and the
landlord of the house was obliged to rebuke him for his
unmanly behaviour in the company of females. The re-
buke, however, did not seem to have much apparent
effect, and Noon still continued his oaths and
imprecations as before. All efforts proving un-
availing, it was at length found necessary to re-
move him from the apartment, and at this
moment it is important to observe the amiable con-
duct of the deceased. With the view of seeing that no
harm should result to the individual who had thus
wantonly broken in upon the pleasures of the even-
ing, and whom, from the outrageous nature of his con-
duct, be could scarcely regard as in his sober senses, he
volunteered to accompany him on board his vessel, where
he was to take up his quarters for the night. Hodge had
only proceeded a few steps upon his way, and was descend-
ing a flight of steps which led from the door uf the house to
the court below, when the murderer was observed to draw
from his pocket a large knife which be always carried about
his person, and handle it in amanner as if aiming at some
deadly purpose. Refute, however, the murderous instru-
ment reached the spot at which it was evidently intended
to be struck, it fell upon the assassin's hands ; but hastily
stooping to the ground. it was in a moment plunged into
the thigh of the individual, who, regardless of incon-
venience, had so willingly volunteered to do an act of
kindness. Falling back upon the steps on which he had
been standing, the unhappy man uttered a scream which
was heard at a considerable distance, and was in
a moment prostrate in a fit of insensibility. The mur-
derer, however, did not wait to see the issue of his atro-
cious act. Uttering an oath indicative of the pleasure
he experienced on having done for the ill-fated Hodge,
he ha-tily decamped. The unfortunate victim only
survived for a short space of time, and in three
minutes from his receiving the fatal stab of the
assassin, he had breathed his last. Medical assist-
ance was immediately procured, but all to no purpose.
The femoral artery had been divided, and the hrenor-
rhage which had ensued was such as to have precluded
all hope of saving life had assistance arrived even
within a minute from the infliction of the fatal gash.
The eye-witnesses of the dire tragedy having in some
degree recovered from the consternation which had
been induced by the dreadful event of the moment,
information was immediately forwarded to the po-
lice, and about twelve o'clock Mr. Centenier Le
Cronier and Centenier Du Parcq, assisted by several
other individuals, set out in search of the murderer.
Directing their steps towards the vessel to which
they suspected he bad gone, they succeeded in appre-
hending him about one o'clock on Sunday morning.
He was found apparently asleep in bed, and when
apprised of the awful crime with which he stood
charged, professed an utter unconsciousness of what
had taken place. Nor did he accompany them
quietly to prison; for it was only after despe-
rate resistance that they were suceessful in bringing
him to shore. His cabin being strictly searched, the
knife with which he consummated the fatal deed was dis-
covered. It bore evident marks of having been washed
a very short period before, which would almost induce
the supposition that at the period of the rash act his
senses had not been quite obscured from the influence
of liquor. It is a long-pointed French blade, and
altogether looks a most dangerous weapon.
Upon his arrival at gaol, the strongest efforts
were required to consign him to a cell, the ferocity and
brutality of his conduct being scarcely credible. An
inquest was held by the Deputy-Viscount on Sunday .of
ternoon, and a verdict of " Wilful Murder" was return« el.
His examination before the Royal Court took place
yesterday, a dense crowd being collected from all parts
of the town.—Jersey Times.

OPENING OF 'THE PORTS.
ST. CLEMENT'S DANES. -
Last evening a public meeting, called pursuant to a nu-
merously-signed requisition of - the inhabitants of the parish
of St. Clernent's Danes, was held in the vestry-room for the
purpose of memorializing " her Majesty to direct the imme-
diate opening of the ports for the free admission of foreign
grain, or to adopt any other measures that might be consi-
dered necessary relative to the apprehended scarcity."
Mr. W. Wilkinson, the senior churchwarden, in the chair.
Mr.PROUT moved the first resolution, and stated that his
opinion with respect to the iniquitous and pernicious corn-
law was well known ; it was a law fur the advantage of a
few to the injury of the many. He (Mr. Prout) need not
state bow necessary it was at the present time for all parties
to unite in the extinction of those laws, when, bytheir opera-
tion, millions were likely to be deprived of that support
which was necessary to their existence.—(Hear,' hear.) Mr.
Prout concluded by moving the first resolution
That this vestry is seriously alarmed by the failure of
the late crop of potatoes, and the defective yield in wheat
corn, thereby apprehending before the next harvest the
united affliction of famine and pestilence, and that the fear
of these calamities is greatly increased by her Majesty's
Ministers having omitted to exercise their authority to open
the ports of the United Kingdom for the free admission of
foreign grain."
Mr. JACQUET seconded the resolution in a brief speech,
which was carried unanimously.
Mr. CADOGAN moved the second resolution—
" That to the calamities occasioned by nature's laws we
submit without murmuring; but against the continuance of
legislative enactments, which tax and impede the supply of
food, we most solemnly protest; and as the corn-laws still
remain in force, blighting the national prosperity, this vestry
deems it requisite that a memorial should he sent to her
Majesty, to consider the necessity of immediately opening
the ports of the United Kingdom for the admission of foreign
corn, free of duty."
Mr. PAnnEn seconded the resolution, which was also car-
ried unanimously. •
Mr. BERGER moved an appropriate memorial to the Queen,
and it having been adopted, the meeting separated.