The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-01-26 00:00:00

MURDER AT BRISTOL.

A Bristol Correspondent gives the followiog account of Mr.
firrres chsspnenraore. The date, it is to be observed, is an-
terior to the above :

" liatsrnt,, JAN. 20.—You have beard of the mysterious dis-
appearance of Mr. Pierce, a solicitor of this city, Leidy one of
the firm of Palmer and Pierce; but the particulars, an some '
taints, have neither been very circumstantially nor very accu-
rately related, beyond tie details of the placards, offering the
award for the discovery of him. I will relate some facts, pre-
aiming, however, that this may be another instance of the fatal
effects resulting from Gambling, or from being known, by
wale menus or other, to Gamblers.
" Mr. Pierce was what some term a ' gay' young man. He
vas a good deal in company, and in very varied company; and
amongst other things be was a good deal attached to what Mr.
Beard-, Mr. {flute's brother-in-law, in his communication with
Sir Rit hard !Mimic called Play ;' and it was also known, as
made a sort of boast of it, that be never was without a hun-
dted imunds or two in his pocket to meet emergencies. Besides
this, be displayed rings, costly gold chain, &c. He was a sin-
Fie man, and resided with his mother and twosisters at Clifton,
Trhirh is across the draw-bridge, and a short distance out of ;
Bristol. His offize is in Bristol. Since Mr. P.'s alarming dss-
qpearaiter, his mother has been exceedingly ill ; and, 1 lament
tu add, she is not expected to live.
"thi Saturday fortnight Ai r.P. dined with Mr. Protheroe, ar-
riving at that gentleman's residence at live o'clock. At seven
o'cl.oek he was summoned from the party on some business;
vduch having dispatched, and haring paid 301., he returned to
the company,
be left such company and remained there till half-past twelve. When
he was not apparently any worse for what
he might have taken during the evening.
. " %I here he went to then is not known ; but between two and
love n'eluck in the morning he. was seen crossing the draw-
^e 4911 e, as if he were on the route to Clifton. Beyond
t Period there is no trace of him. His absence, though it
Shined the family, was not thought of very seriously at heat,
n
about two years ago he set off to Taunton, and there re-
/a:lntl three days, without any one knowing what bad become
IA bun, till he monied and personally related particulars.
poweverhiii pre,ent disappearance assumed an alarming aspect
I,r,°m the circumstance offs hat having been found nest day on
a!hanks of the float or river, with the name of " Chapman,
1710, n i maker," inside of i 4 which hat, oe inquiry, turned out
u-qe been Mr. Tierce's. The water in the float was drawn
oi for trf days and drags used in every direction ; but instead
to with any thing of Mr. Pierce the workmen curiously
set with the body of an Exciseman, who had been
is.,lteig for more than two months ! There is every reason to
'l7,l",eve.that the Exciseman fell into the water in a state of in-
ic.Fami and was thus drowned.
_ marecer, as
whatPSce, it is remarked here by those who
lytnt.ct under circumstances some other murders have
ommitted, and who know Mr.P.'s habits in having money
1.7 t ban, which might make him an object of assassination for
f‘PUre°Se of plunder, that it is not very likely the assassins
caring Mr. P. unhappily to have been so destroyed), would
Licit the hat to show when bedy might bo
liZe (LI the eastesen . bridge likely PUrreerf
It, Mai !heft ,sotto be basil, in
to
gi a pitiogreet There are seas let Wes
*MTh ach is .8400,
as —loll4o4—whisk soak at 'eare'bi heco nay
ileeber 41111wh arms 1.114641Zt woli-reazier I
enzes of any
k tap' _ _ _

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