Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-27

Horrible murder at Leicester, England
and Extraordinary Attempt 10 conceal
the Crime.
Our duty as journalists compels US to record
the murder ofa fellow creature and the attempt
at concealment, equalIng in atrocity any that
stands registered in the annals OF crime Mr..
Paas, the object of this sanguinary crime. was a
brass ornament manufacturer. resiiing at Ma. "A.
High Holburn. He was in the habit of travelling
in the way of his business, and arrived at the Stag
and Pheasant Inn, Leicester, on Wednesday, the
5Oth ult. in the progress of a journey. Alter d.
ming, he proceeded to call on his customers, but
he did not return to the inn in the evening, nor
all the next day. His absence induced inquiry,
and his awful end was revealed by the following
appalling circu mstances:-
Behind the Flying Horse public house, Wei
ington street, there is a detached building, Tor
merly occupied by MIR. Johnson, bookbinder. and
atterly by young man named James Cook. who
carried on the business but who, 1t seems, re-
sided with his father in distant part ut the
town Wharf street, Wheat street) An unusu
al glare of light being observed through the VIM
dow Of the building about / ] on Thursday night.
attended with strong smell of burning, some OF
the neishbors were induced to force the door to
ascertain the cause, when they saw what at hrst
appeared to be a piece of horse flesh (hut which
subsequently, proved to be part OF the body Of
human being roasting on large blazing lire.
This circumstance having given rise to suspicious
that some foul deed, near akin to burkng. had
taken place. one of the individuals present sug-
gested that Cook should be sent for, which was
accordingly done. Cook having arrived on the
spot, and being asked to explain what they saw
before them, said that he had bought some flesh
for dog; but finding II not suitable. he had plac-
ed it On the fire to burn, rather than bury It,
The persons present being unable positively to
ascertain whether the substance taken from the
fire was or was not what Cook stated it 20 be, ESQ
much was it burned and disfgured3 Measures,
constable, who had been summoned to the spot,
hesitated as to the propriety of taking him INTO
custody; but at length Cooks father Offering 10
be responsible for his appearance in the morning,
he was suffered to 90 at large. A surgeon next
morning examined the remains. and pronounced
them to be- parts of human body. Cook was i'm
mediately sought after, but was not to be found.
A search of Cooks premises also took place.
when short way up the chimney, parts Of hu-
man body were discovered. 1t appeared to have
been cut and sawed asunder just above the hips
two Thighs and part of one leg were left. Cook,
on whom the suspicion rests of having perpetrat-
ed this helish murder, is young man OF about
81, who short time ago succeeded to the bust.
ness of his deceased master. ltappears he bought
book binding tools of Mr.. Paas to the amount Of
about p25. Mr.. Paas called tor payment, when
Cook told his apprentice boy, IN a whisper, that
he might 90 home, as he would not be wanted
for several DAYS.
The lad thereupon quilted the premises; and
the dark deed there is good reasons to suspect,
was that evening perpetrated by Cook. who, SO
early as o'clock next morning was at the room,
assigning as motive that he was DESTROYS Of fin
ishing some books During the forenoon, too,
ne was seen buslly engaged in washing the floor
! 1t also appears that in the afternoon of the same
day Thursday he was speaking of going to
America; and that while playing at bowls in the
adjoining public house yard at late hour on
Thursday evening, he pulled out a silk purse
containing sovereigns. While Cook was play
ing at sklttles, he was observed to cast his eve
frequently towards the chimney of his shop, and
sometimes to appear much asitated. his hand
trembling while paying money TO the publican.
From the appearance of the scorched remnant
Of the body. it would seem, that after dispatch.
ing his victim, and before committing the body
to the flames. the cold blooded murderer diyid
ed 1t into four parts. by cutting it or saving it
across the abdomen and above the knee Joints
The head and legs appear to have been burned
frs; aud. judging from the atrocity Of the vii.
lian's conduct, it is probable that finding the
other part did not consume 50 fast as he wished,