The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-12-27 00:00:00

DREADFUL MURDER OF A GAMEKEEPER.

(From the Blackburn Standard.)
. It is not often that our neighbourhood is agitated by ac-
counts of murders committed within it ; but this week we
are' called upon, in the painful discharge of our duty, to ac-
quaint the public with the particulars of a tragedy by which
an estimable and respected young man has met with an un-
timely death.

The name of the unfortunate vied-in is Thomas Isherwood,
a gamekeeper late in the employ-of W. H. Hornby, Esq. of
this town, and acting.in Billington and Salesbury; upon land
the sporting over which Mr. llornbv rents of H. Petre, Esq.
of Dunkenhalgh. He was a fine tall-young fellow, standing
about six feet two inches high, and in the very prime of life,
being no-more than 28 years old.. Only twelve months ago,
he was married to the daughter of the landlord of • the Lord
Nelson public-house, in Billington, where his remains now
lie, awaiting the last sad rite of interment. He had one child
whiCh is of course still an infant. From the testimony of se-
veral persons who knew the deceased well, and likewise from
the assurance of his respected master, we are enabled to say
that poor Isherwood was a young man of many admi►able
qualities, excellently conducted, and highly beloved by those
in his own sphere of life.

It appears, then, that on the night of Fridaylast Thos.
Isherwood (the deceased,) his brother Henry (also one of
Hornby's keepers,) Robert Sutton (a keeper of Mr.
Hargreaves', of Broad Oak,) and an Old man named Henry
Edlested, whO assisted-them occasionally, were on the look
out .forwachers in Mr. Hornby's preserves in Salesbury,
when they. heard the report Of 'fire arms, about one o'clock
in the morning:. By 'and 'by they discovered four men in
pursuit of gamer.three,of them carrying guns and the fourth
a stick. It is supposed that two of these men were Adam
Mercer, commonly called Adam o' Cutes; and John Crossley
both of this town, and. that these two were, known to
Isherwood ; indeed, he frequentlY mentioned their names
during the proceedings which took place after the poachers
were discovered. There are. also many facts which cause a
strong suspicion that.the.other two men were James Parker,
alias Cranshi* Jim, alias •J'atnesTally, 'weaver,: and-Joseph
Abbot; labonrer,•also. both of . this ,town ; but there . was no
evidence adduced before the Coroner tending to identify
their' they were not included by name in the verdict of the
jury; • Several partial engagements took place between the
keepers and poachers, and a great many threatening ex-
pressions were used by the latter. This sort of thing went on
for some time; the poachers retreating in the mean time, until
they. crossed over the new road from Preston to Whalley, near
Park-gate. About this time Henry lidleston was despatched
for assistance, and the three keepers followed the four
antagonists over several other fields until they reached a
stubble in the occupation of John Collinson, in Wilpshire.
Here a regular fight took place between the two parties,
during which some of the poachers cried out to " shoot
them," meaning the keepers, and at length a gun was fired,
the contents of which passed through Thomas Isherwood's
lett arm, between the.elbow and shoulder. On receiving the
shot the poor fellow called out that he was murdered, and
the poachers, one of them having first said " Damn him,
shoot him out," made off. Isherwood was then carefully
conveyed to the residence of his wife's father in a cart, where
he died in a very short time after reaching the house, from
absolute loss of blood, unfortunately no effort having been
made to arrest its flow.

None of the parties suspected of the crime have been taken
into custody, though unceasing exertions have been made to
effect that object. We give below a description of their
persons :

John Crossley, labourer, native of Blackburn, 30 years of
age, about 5 feet 4 or 5 inches high, light complexion, red
hair and whiskers, blue eyes, very broad set, has lost one of
his front teeth. Usually wears dark velveteen shooting coat,
with large pockets and black buttons, barragan trousers, and
quarter boots.
Adam Mercer, alias Adam o' Cutes, native of Billington,
labourer, about 45 years of age, 5 feet 6 incher high, light
brown hair, grey eyes, stout person, pockmarked, large nose,
rather bow-legged. Usually wears a light barragan shooting
coat, barragan trousers, and strong shoes.
James Parker, alias Cronshaw Jim, alias James Tally,
weaver, native of Icornshaw, in the county of York, near
Colne, about 30 years of age, 5 feet 7 inches high, dark
complexion, dark brown hair, blue eyes, stout person, rather
long face, has a mark on his right cheek, where he has been
formerly cut. Usually wears a dark velveteen shooting coat,
with large pockets and black buttons, short moleskin trousers
and waistcoat, and quarter boots.
Joseph Abbott, labourer, native of Blackburn, about 30
years of age, 5 feet 6 inches high, light complexion, sandy
hair, blue eyes, rather long face. Usually wears a dark
velveteen shooting coat with large pockets and black buttons,
barragan trousers much stained with oil.

At-the coroner's inquest, which took place on Tuesday
last, the jury returned a verdict of " Wilful Murder against
Adam Mercer and John Crossley, and two other persons un-
known."

W. H. Hornby, Esq., then entered into recognizances to
prosecute the parties.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

MANCHESTE Et-MONDAY EVENING

• 44,••4...1.
Little that is worth notice has been done since` Friday ; nor
does the business furnish us with matter sufficient to offer an
appended list of quotations. For the Chester Cup it may be
stated that 100 to 6 is freely offered on the field ; nay, we
think it would lilt be a very difficult task to obtain within a
fraction of 20 to 1 against either Abraham Newland or Mal-
volio., That figure was accepted on Saturday on Cowboy and
Sleight-of-Hand ; and at noon fo-day 200 to 9 was the extreme
offer •against Lanercost. Having now reached within • ten
days of the publication of the entry, it may reasonably.be,
expected that " caution" will be the watchword, as the task"
may not be difficult to obtain information as to what horses
have absolutely entered, and of others spoken 'of as sure of
being left out. The entry is fully expected to reach, if not
not to exceed, the capital one of last year. The offers of 100
to 7 are freely made on the Derby field ; it would he taken on
the Duke of Cleveland's colt to 6. The only two horses that
we are aware of being supported to-day are Ottoman (whom
one gentleman backed at 300 to 10 three or four times over)
and May Boy, who was backed in one had to win approaching
£2OOO, at odds varying from 55 to 100 to 1 •, the last price
was the " wind up ;" but the deceptor would willingly have
nibbled on, It is expected the season of the year will make
the business lethargic. The latest Derby betting at Tatter-
sall's will show the request the horses are in which have not
been named here for some days.

COMBINATION EXTRAORDINARY.—About ten days ago,
the fraternity of sheep-head singers in the vicinity of the
Flesh Market Close here, who consist of three members,
desirous of intimidating the Glasgow operatives, met for the
purpose of raising their fees for shaving the decapitated heads
of sheep, and thus laying on an additional tax on the Kail
prose of Auld Scotland. The three parties bound themselves,
by a missive, not to singe a single head,- without trotters,
under three half pence,. (the old charge being one penny,)
and that under a penalty of ss. sterling for each oflence.—
Edinburgh Mercury.

ORGANIC REMAINS:—As the workmen employed in
getting ballast • for the Grand Junction Railway, at Monk's
Coppenhall, about three quarters of a mile from the Crewe
Station, were excavating ground belonging to Sir John
Chetwode, Bart., they found at the depth of thirty.six feet
from the surface, a fossilized tooth, part of a thigh bone, with
some smaller bones, of an antediluvian animal of immense
size. The tooth, which is perfect, and in a high state of
preservation, weighs seven pounds, and the thigh bone, which
was broken by the workmen, measures 17 inches in its mean
diameter. The tooth has been lying some time at the Grand
Junction Inn, near the Railway-station at Stafford.—Sa-
lopian Journal.

ANCIENT CLOCK.—There is in the possession of Mr. John
Hepton; of Northallerton, watchmaker and silversmith, at
this preSent time, a curious antique clock, wholly made of
iron, with the exception of two brass wheels, which is under-
stood, by the information of .the late owner, in whose family
it had been for several generations, to have been put in by
the late Mr. Hugh Punnet, of Northallerton, clockmaker,
about eighty years ago, in the room of two iron ones which
had become defective from long use. This clock is of curious
workmanship, and in a good state of preservation. On the
back plate of the clock appears very legible " A. D. 1359," so
that it must now be 480 years old.—Leedantelligencer.

COURT CIRCULAR.—Tur.spAY.

The Duchess of Gloucester visited the Princess Augusta yes.-
terday, at Clarence- house, St. James's.
Lord Colonel Taylor, and Captain Woodford had
interviews with the Marquis. of Normanby yesterday at the
Home-office.
The Duchess of Sutherlatid returned to Sutherland house
yesterday from a visit to the Queen at Windsor Castle.

The Marquis of Norinanby left town yesterday, afternoon
on La visit to the Queen at Windsor Castle.

Despatches from Sir W: Nicolay, Governor of the Mau-
ritius, were recaived yesterday at the Colonial Office.
WEDNESDAY.—The Princess Augusta took an airing yes-
terday in a. carriage and four. Her Royal.-Highnes.s sisited:
her 4lajc4y the. Queen Dowager at Marlborough-house..
The tonebessorGloteker visited het= Majesty the.' Queen
Dowager at "Marlboroughhouse. The Duke of Cambridge
left Cambridge house yesterday morning for his residence at
Kew. Prince George of Cambridge returned to Kew on
Monday night from town.
Despatches were sent off last evening from the Colonial-
office for Sir George Gipps, Governor of New South Wales.
WINDSOR, MONDAY.—The Queen rode out on horseback
in the Park this morning, but her Majesty was compelled by
the rain to return to the Castle in the carriage which always
follows the royal party. Her Majesty was attended by the
Baroness .Lehzen, Miss Quentin, the, Earl of Fingal, the
Hon. Col. Grey, Sir R. Otway, and Sir G. Quentin.
Lord and Lady Kinnaird arrived this afternoon at the
Castle on a visit to her Majesty, and the Marquis of Nor-
manby is expected this evening from town._

The Duchess of Sutherland and Lord A. Paget took their
departure from the Castle this morning.
WINDSOR, TUESDAY.—Her Majesty walked on the ter-
race of the Castle to-day, attended by the Marquis and Mar-
chioness of Nornianby, Viscount Melbourne, the Hon. Miss
Anson, and theflon. Miss Paget.

- - „
The Earl of Fingal, Lord in Waiting, has taken his depar-
ture. and Lord Byron has arrived at the Castle. Sir Robert
Otway and the Hon. Charles
~Howard have also left. The
Hon. Berkely and Miss Paget arrived this morning at the
Castle, and the Earl :and- Countess of Albemarle and the
Hon. Miss Lister are expected this evening.
In addition to the visitors who have arrived to=day,' the
royal dinner party this evenini, is expected to include the
Rev. R. A. Musgrave, Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt, (St. Leo-
nards,) and the Hon. Miss Cavendish.

WINDSOR, WEDNESDAY.—Her Majesty attended Divine
worship this morning at St. GeOrge's Chapel, aCcompaq,ied
by her Royal Highness.the Duchess of Kent. The follow!,
ing were in the suite of the Queen t—Viscount Melbourne,
Marquis and Marchioness of Nornaanbv, the Earl and' Court--
tess- of -Albemarle, Lord Byron, Lady Forbes, Lord and
Lady Kinnaird, Hon. Col. Grey, the Hon. Misses Paget and
Anson, and Mr. Rich.

The Rev. C. W. Knyvett read the service, and the Hon.
and Rev. E. Moore and the Rev. R. Musgrave. officiated at
the altar. The sermon was preached by the -Rev. R. Mus-
grave, from the 25th chapter of Isaiah, and the 9th verse.
The musical service was as follows :—Chaunts-.—Grand
Chaunt, Dr. Crotch ; service, King, in C ; the anthem,
" There were shepherds ;" and the chorus " Glory to God in
the highest," from Handers Messiah. Mr. G..Elvey, Mus.
Bac., presided at the organ.
At the conclusion of the ..service, her Majesty and the
duchess received the sacrament,. which was administered by
the Hon. and Rev. E. Moore and the Rev. W. Canning.
This afternoon her Majesty, accompanied by her Royal
Highness the Duehess of Kent, promenaded on the New
Terrace, accompanied by her distinguished visiters and
suite.

The Hon. Miss Lister took her departure from the castle
this morning.
In addition to the royal dinner party of yesterday there
will be, this evening, the Hon. George Liddell and the Rev.
W. Canning.

THURSDAY.—Her Majesty the. Queen Dowager, and their
Royal Highnesses the Princess Augusta and the Duchess of
Gloucester, attended Divine service, yesterday (Christmas-
day), in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The sermon was
preached by the Bishop of London, who took his text from•
St. Luke's Gospel, chap. ii. verse 14. The lessons were read
by the Rev. Mr. Dakins ; the prayers by the Rev. Dr. Wes-:
ley; and the communion service by the Bishop of London,
the Rev. Dr. Wesley, and the Rev. Mr. Dakins.. The anthein
" Behold I bring you glad tidings" (Purcell), was sung by
Messrs. J. B. Sale, Hawkins, and Roberts. The Rev. J.
Vane was the deputy clerk of the closet in waiting.
The Queen Dowager, the Princess Augusta, and the
Duchess of Gloucester afterwards received the Sacrament,
Which was administered by the Bishop of London, assisted
by the Rev. Dr. Wesley and the Rev. Mr. Dakins.
The Queen Dowager was attended by the Countess of Shef-
field, the Hon. Miss Hudson, and the Hon. Miss Mitchell.
The DuchesS of Gloucester was attended by Lady Georgiana
Bathurst.

THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
AND THE SHERIFF OF MIDDLESEX.

(From the Morning Herald)
STOCKDALE V. E ANSARD.

As the day is fast approaching when the Commons of Eng-
land will meet and, determine a most important point—•viz.—
whether the recent opinion of Lord Denman and other judges
shall be set aside and overruled by a resolution of the repre-
sentatives of the people, a statement may not be found uninte-
resting to our readers of the various steps that have been ta-
ken by Stockdale against the Sheriff of Middlesex, for the
purpose of recovering the £6OO damages awarded him by a
jury, together with costs of Messrs. Hansard. It has been
stated that the amount was quietly paid into the hands of the
sheriff; but a:though such is the fact, it appears not at all
improbable that the plaintiff will not receive the money, there
being no doubt that ulterior proceedings will be taken. The
following narrative may be relied on for its accuracy. Sub-
sequently to the case being heard -at the Sheriff's Court, Mr.
Plaat applied to the Court of Queen's Bench and obtained
a rule against the sheriff to return the writ, and on the 23d
of November a fieri facias was issued against the defendant's
goods, and lodged at the sheriff's office, Red Lion-square.
On the 25th-of the same mouth the sheriff was served with
a judge's order to return the fieri facial ; and in obedience
thereto, he returned on the 29th " that he had caused to
be seized divers goods and chattels of the defendant's
which remained in his hands unsold for want of buyers."
On the 2d of the present month the plaintiff' issued a writ of
venditioui exponas, requiring the sheriff to sell the defendant's
goods, whereupon he -directed his warrant to Hemp, the
(deer, and Mr. Crook, the auctioneer, of Snow-hill, was
engaged to dispose of them by public auction. Messrs.
Parkes and Preston, in the ►nean time, served the sheriff
with a written notice, reminding him that if he proceeded to
a sale he would be amenable for the consequences of a breach
of parliamentary privelege, to which document was formally
annexed a copy of the resolution pased by the House of
Commons, declaring-that: they possessed the right of pub-
lishing parliamentary reports. On the 3d of the present
month the sheriff was served byThe plaintiff with a judge's
summons•for him to return the writ of venditioni exponas,
and on the sth instant the parties attended before Mr. Justice
Littledale, at his chambers, in Sergeant's Inn,. when his lord-
ship- was pleased to grant the sheriff an extention of ti►ne,
and stayed the return until the lith.
On that day the sheriff determined to sell the goods of the
defendant, and Mr: Crook accordingly advertised the auction
to take place at one o'clock, on the defendant's premiseS, in
Lincoln's Inn--fields. On the evening previonsly, however,
the goods taken in execution were disposed of by a bill of
sale for £695, to a gentleman named Nicholas Winsland. On
the morning of the 17th the writ of venditioni exPonas was
returned by- the sheriff pursuant to Judge Littledale's order,
with the following ndorsement on the back of it, which our
informant obtained upon searching the Inner Treasury Cha►n-
ber, at Westminster :