Star.
London, England, 1824-01-02 00:00:00

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ANOTHER MURDER ix HERTFORDSHIRE.'
A most melancholy occurrence took place on Wed-
nesday evening last, near South Mimmc, by whiCh a
man of the same of James Grainge lost his life.—
The circumstances of the .case, as far as we have been
able to collect them, are these :—For some time back,
a Gentleman, whose name is Patrick Connolly, resided
at a mansion called Rabley House, within about a mile
of Shenley-hill, in the County of Hertford. Rabic,
House is the property of Captain Nestor, with whom
Mr. Connolly was intimately acquainted, ,and from
what we have collected, it appears that Mr. Connolly
was remaining there to avoid an execution which was
known to be out against him. In the same house was
residing a Lady of the name of Mrs. Elizabeth Brown,
the widow of a Naval Officer of that name, who we
believe had charge of Captain Nestor's domestic con-
cerns. Besides these individuals, there were a female
servant And two male servants on the premises. On
Wednesday afternoon, about two o'clock, three persons
arrived at the mansion—a Mr. Stephens, an Attorney,
from London ; Thomas Watson, a Sheriff's officer, re-
siding in Great Suffolk-street, Southwark ; and his
assistant. They found easy ingress at the outer gates,
and on reaching the hall door, knocked for admission.
They were answered from within by Mrs. Brown, who,
perhaps, suspecting their errand, did not open the
door—she demanded their business, and they com-
menced by asking if' Captain Nestor was at home ?
She answered in the negative; they then asked some
other indirect questions, and finally begged to know' if
Mr. Patrick Connolly was there ? To this question Mrs.
Brown also answered in the negative. They then stated
that they had an execution against Mr. Connolly, and
peremptorily desired to be admitted; this Mrs. Brown
as peremptorily refused; ,and they immediately, at-
tempted to force the door, the upper part of which was
partly composed of glass. To effect this purpose, they
placed their feet against the bottom of the door, and in
the exertion which they made they broke one of the
panes. The noise which was thus occasioned, and the
violence Which was committed at this moment, seem to
have called forth Mr. Connolly, who was close
at hand, and he suddenly made his appearance with
a-pitchfork in his hand, with which he threatened to
resist any further attempt that might be made to eider
the premises. In defiance of this threat, the officers,
,on being again refused admission, renewed their at-
tack, when Mr. Connolly pushed the fork, through 'the
broken pane at one of the men, whom he struck, but
did not inflict any wound. The assailants finding him
determined to oppose them, retired for a time; while'
two kept watch, the third proceeded to a Magistrate in
the neighbourhood (the Rev. Thomas Newcome, we be-
lieve), before whom he laid an information of the as-
sault which had been committed upon him in the dis-
charge of his duty, and procured a peace warrant for
the apprehension of Mr. Connolly. This warrant was
directed to the constables of the district, and those indi-
viduals were summoned to put it in execution. From
the specimen which Mr. Connolly had given of his dis-
position to resist all ordinary means of arrest, it was
considered necessary to take a competent force to effect
this object, and certain persons were sworn as-special
constables for the occasion. Among others included in
this body was the brother of the parish constable, James
Grainge, an industrious shoemaker, at Slienley-hiU.
The whole posse being assembled, they proceeded in
considerable force to the scene of action, which they
reached about six o'clock. A second loud knocking at
the door gave notice of their approach, when Mrs Brown
again made her appearance, and, as has been stated by
the witnesses, admission was demanded in the King's
name. Mrs. Brown still declined complying with this de-1
Linand. A general assault commenced, and several panes
were broken in' the windows, as well as in the door.---*,
This continued for sometime, till at length Mr. Con-
r Daly came forward with a gun in his hand, and threat-
ened to shoot the first person who presumed to break
the door. This only tended to increase the violence,and
as the part) outside considered that they were armed
with sufficient authority to use every exertion in their
power to make their caption good, they treated Mr.
Connolly's threats with indifference, and actually began
to break the pannels of the door with such • missiles as
came to hand. At this unlucky moment, and in the
heat of irritation, Mr. Connolly discharged the gin, and
James Grainge being nearest the door, he lodged the
contents in the upper part of his arm, near the shoulder,
which was dreadfully mangled. The unhappy man
fell, and a cry of " Murder!" burst from all quarters.
A considerable pause now took place; the attack was
discontinued, and the officers and their assistants 'drew
back, fearful that further mischief might be done. The
wounded man" being unaile -to walk, was placed in a
cart and carried 40 the White Hart, at Shenley-hill,
from whence expresses were immediately sent to St.
Alban's and Barnet for surgical assistance. Information
of what had occurred was then conveyed to the Rev.
Mr. Newcome and John M. Winter, Esq. another Ma-
gistrate in the neighbourhood,whu consulted upon what
it was expedient to do. All the constables of the sur-
rounding villages were forthwith summoned, and fresh
additions were made to the list of special constables.
With this force the Magistrates proceeded in person td"
Itabley-house, within which all remained in perfect si-
*nee. It was now between nine and ten o'cloCk, and an
' attempt was made to force an entrance at the back of
the premises, where some more windows were broken.
Under the direction of the Magistrates, admission
was once more formally demanded, and their warrant
was read in a loud voice. Mrs. Brown for the third
time came to the door, and announced, that if the party
would chew her their warrant she would admit them.
This was refused, but it was read in her hearing, and
the door was finally opened. . The Magistrates and the
officers then entered, and Mrs. Brown said she would
send to call Mr. Connolly down stairs. A servant did
accordingly go up stairs, and Mr. Connolly came down
and surrendered himself. All the other pertirhi in the.
house were then secured, as being participatori m the.
outrage—namely, Mrs. Brown, her servant: woman,
Hugh Moran, a servant man, and another man they
called Edward, whose surname. we were not able to,
learn. The whole were conducted to the White Hart,
at Shenley-hill, where they remained Under a Strict,
guard for the night.
In the interim, the anfortnnate wounded' man had
been conveyed to his own house, where.he was put to
bed until the surgeons shduld arrivp, whyi 'did .not
take place until a late hour. Mr. Lloyd„ :of Barnes,
Mr. Webster, of St. Alban's, and:a third medical man,
at length reached the spot, and on examining the ',build,
pronounced it to be extremely dangerous. They re,
mained in attendance the whole or the night ; and
.yaso
terd,ay morning, on again opening• the wound, they
unanimously declared that amputation wit; necessary,

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