The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-03-31 00:00:00

YESTERDAY'S CROWN COURT.

His Lordship took his seat on the bench at ten o'clock.
MURDER AT NEWTOt HEATH.
Nathaniel Currie, (31,) stood charged with having, at Newton
Heath, about two miles from Manchester, wilfully murdered
Mine Ellison by throwing her into a canal. The case appeared
to excite considerable interest, the court being filled at an early
hour.
Mr. Sergeant Wilkins, assisted by Messrs. Monk and Sowler,
conducted the prosecution. The prisoner was defended by Mr.
Joseph Pollock.
Mr. Wilkins gave a continuous narrative of the circumstances
which are detailed in the evidence of the following witnesses :
Benjamin Booth, a surveyor, of Manchester, produced plans
of the ground where the occurrence took place ; they were
handed to the jury for inspection.
Mr. Ellison, father to the deceased, stated that he lived in
Maria-street, Manchester. The deceased, his daughter, was 21
years of age in October last. She was a big piecer of Murray's
factory, and prisoner was a strecher at the same place. De-
ceased was a teacher at a Sunday School, and was a regular
and good girl. Was not aware that she had any follower. On
Wednesday, the 10th December, she returned from her work a
little after seven, and she seemed lively, and in her usual
spirits. She went out about seven o'clock, saying she was
going to see Jane Pilling. Went to bed about ten, and was
called up about ten by his wife, who stated that deceased had
not come in. Witness went to various places in Manchester.,
and continued walking about until four in the morning, and
about five saw the prisoner, and asked him if he knew anything
about Ann, as she had not been home all night. He said
he had been at the new Trades' Hall, and could not get in,
and he appeared confused and agitated. The factory bell
rang and he went away. In the course of the morning
he sent his daughter Mary to make inquiry about Ann.
Did not tell her to say anything about Ann being
drowned, as they did not know anything about it. About nine
o'clock, gave information to the police, and during the fore-
noon received information that a body had been found in the
canal. Went to the Three Crowns, and found the body of his
daughter. On getting back, found the prisoner's wife, and she
said something about the occurrence width had taken place.
He then went out, and in the evening, when he got home, after
making arrangements as to the body of the deceased, saw the
prisoner, and owing to what had been said by the prisoner's
wife, told him he was the villain that had destroyed his daugh-
ter, and threatened to turn him out of the house. He after-
wards went away. The body was buried in the Ardwick ceme-
tery, but was afterwards exhumed, and a post modem exami-
nation made by the surgeons.
Jane Pilling lived in Kennedy-street, Ancoats, and was a jack
tenter at Murray's mill. Knew the deceased, and gave evi-
dence to the effect that she had made no appointment on the
10th of December.
Cross-examined by Mr. Pollock.—Had not observed any dif-
ference in the demeanour of the deceased immediately before
the time of her body being found in the canal.
Mr. Darby called.—Worked at Murray's mill, and knew
both prisoner and deceased. On the 10th of December saw
them in Elizabeth-street, near Shaw's factory, about a quarter
to eight in the evening. He appeared to be enticing her to go
somewhere with him, and she did not wish, but she afterwards
went with him in the direction of Butler-street. He next
morning heard of the drowning when he got to the factory, and
mentioned what he had seen the preceding evening.
Cross-examined by Mr. POLLOCK—Did not come forward to
give evidence at the time, as he was only made acquainted
with the fact of the inquest being held when it was over.
Br Mr. Sergeant WlLKiNs—Saw their faces distinctly whe
they went towards Butter-street.
Abraham Lane, who lived in Jarvis-street, Manchester, stated
that he worked at Murray's mill, and knew the prisoner and
deceased. Heard of the deceased being found in the Canal the
morning after the occurrence. It was his business to clean the
mill gears, and about six weeks before the deceased was drowned,
he saw the prisoner and deceased in the room by themselves,
when the hands had gone to dinner, and the prisoner was
fastening her dress.
John Scott, a labourer, living at the Bone Works, deposed
that on the night of the 10th of December, he was going home
about five minutes past eight, when he saw a man and woman
standing near the flags, from which there was a road leading to
the Ten Acres Bridge. The man was about the size of the
prisoner, and had on a coat like a chandle swinger. Heard a
woman cry out " murder" and " let us go home ;" and soon after
the man put his arm round her waist, and they went on for
some distance. He then heard a second cry of "murder,"
and "spare my life," and the parties came back towards where
he was, and he afterwards lost sight of them at the towing path.
Mentioned the occurrence on the following day, when he heard
of the body being found.
Cross-examined by Mr. Pollock.—The place in question was
a common resort for parties who were on intimate terms with
each other. Had frequently heard screams from parties in
that direction when passing on former occasions. Heard the
same voice on both occasions when murder was called. Had
not reason to give any alarm ; one of the police came to him
several weeks afterwards, (the 9th Feb.) and he told him of
the circumstance, and the following day he (witness) appeared
before the magistrates.
Ex. resumed—Had never heard before that night cries of
"murder," or "spare my life."
Jane Woods, who lived in the Bone Works Yard, heard the
report of the body being found, and mentioned it to Scott, and
he made the statement previously given.
John Sidebottom stated that he was a dyer, and lived at
Newton. On the morning of the 10th December, was engaged
in carrying water near the Ten Acres Bridge up to the hour of
about half-past eight o'clock, and if there had been anything
in the water he must have seen it. Saw a man and woman in
the lane about eight. The man was about the height of the
prisoner, and the woman had on a plaid shawl. Saw them
again shortly afterwards going in the direction of Ten Acres
Field.
Cross-examined by Mr. Pollock.—lt was the 9th of February
before I gave information of what I had seen. Did not attend
the inquest as I saw no reason for so doing.
By Mr. Sergt. Wilkins—Heard of the drowning about an
hour after I last saw the prisoner and deceased together.
Mary Russell deposed that on the loth December she lived at
Cheetham Fold. On that night was on the way to Newton with
Rhoda Farrington, to take some materials for bonnets to be
made. Saw a man and a woman in Ten Acres Field standing
face to face, the man's face being towards them. Noticed the
female's bonnet particularly, an she and her friend were so
pleased with it that they got one made like it. Produced a
bonnet she got made. Took particular notice of the parties,
and identified the prisoner as the man she saw. Saw him again
at Mr. Beswick's office, and picked him out of six others who
were there. Returned from Newton the same way about a
quarter past nine, and was told about a woman being found in
the water.
Green, a police-officer of Manchester, produced the deceased
bonnet, which she identified as being that worn by the deceased
on the night in question. She was also shown a scarf which
she said was similar to one worn by the prisoner when seen in
the field.
Cross-examined by Mr. Pollock.—When I heard of a woman
being found in the canal thought it might be the one I had seen
with the man. Did not think it requisite to go and give evi-
dence at the inquest unless I had been requested.
Rhoda Farringdon corroborated the statement of the preced-
ing witness.
By the Jury.—lt was twenty minutes past eight when we
first saw the prisoner and deceased in the field.
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persons came up, and it was ascertained that what they had
seen was the body of a woman ; it was then got out of the wa-
ter by the police-officer and Tetlow. In cross-examination, he
stated that Ae body when drawn to the side of the water was
prevented from sinking, in consequence of being held by a man
who put his foot on the clothes and held deceased to the bank.
Did not know whether it was a man from Stockport or not, and
never said so.
By Mr. Sergeant Wilkins.—He was about the height of the
prisoner. Tetlow drew the body to the side of the bank, but
the other man prevented him from pulling it out.
Hezekiah Hamer, brother of the last witness, corroborated
his statement as to the finding of the body. The man who
came up sent for the police, and an officer came in about ten
minutes after ; and during that time he (the strange man) had
his foot on the deceased's dress. He went away on seeing the
light of the officer's lantern. He was similar to the prisoner as
regarded his height.
By Mr. Sergeant WI LKINS.—Did not know who the man was
that came up, but he had dark clothes on, and was about the
prisoner's height.
James Tetlow gave similar testimony, as to the features of
the body, and the man alluded to putting his foot on the de-
ceased's dress and preventing the body being taken out. He
was certain the prisoner was the man. The body was taken out
of the water with great care, and in such a way as not to bruise
it in the least. The top lip was swollen, the teeth very firmly
set ; the eyes open, and there was foam at the mouth ; the body
was quite cold. She had no shawl on, nor were there any beads
on the neck. In cross-examination he said he had always
stated that the prisoner was the man who put his foot on the
clothes and held the body, and he was positive as to his iden-
tity. Witness never put his foot -
By Mr. 1,

wanted
"100, she must stop here till the

tier out, and prisoner saic
..officer comes."

John Ogden depOsed that he 'Wed at Newton Heath, and from
information he received, went down to the canal side, and saw
the body of the deceased. He believed the prisoner to be the
man who prevented the body beine taken nut of the water_ The

man no sooner saw the policemail coming than he made off.
The body was taken to the Three Crowns on a stretcher.
By the JUDGE.—When the man said he should not take her
out, he did not say any more, but let the matter drop.

The JUDGE.-1 only wish you to under
similar case you ought to take a body out of I

and that in any
a water, notwith-