The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-12-18
Strange Confession of a Murder in
England.

great deal of excitement has been created In
Weymouth during the past week, says the SAry-
borne Journal. in consequence of rumor that An
old woman on her death bed had confessed thar
she was participatOr in a most foul and rrusl
murder committed more than half a century ago
but the real perpetrators of which at that time
could not be discovered. The partcular, of tbis
dark deed we have gathered from the testimony Of
many old persons still living, and who can distinct
ly recollect the circumstance that about the period
mentioned great alarm was felt in the tow in con
sequence OF the discovery of human bodv
wrapped in linen sheet, lying near the foot Of
the old bridge, on she Mecombe Regis side of the
harbor.
On examination it was found that death had been
caused by a blow on the head. causing a severe
fracture of the skull. il committed by some iron
and blunt instrument. Blood WAS traced from the
spot across the bridge TO house In which the de-
ceased woman resided situated ia High street near
Boot lane. This was then the only house Of IN.
fame In the town. 1t is supposed that on the nigh,
of the murder the unfortunate man. whose name
was Tiliroyd Morgan, by profession n jesweier and
engraver, was at this house in company with far.
mer named Hardy. who resided at the village a.
ChickeTeil, but who died many years since. quar-
rel IL said to have arisen between these parties
which resulted in eath blow being inflicted M
on Norf Afser the fatal blow had bee n struck
the body OF the deceased was wrapped up in kind
OF sheet or sack aud was then placed on IIardy's
horse, which was standing Mt the door of the in
famed house at the time of the occurrence aud
brought to the bridge, the intention of tho mur-
derers being to throw 1t iuto the water In this IL
would seem they were bafiied, for tho night was
dark, and several voices heard which thwar.
ted their designs, and they on landing at the Mel
eombe side dropped their barden in the street As
daylight dawDed workman near the spot saw the
bundle, and on opening IL most horrid sight pre-
sented irsf, thehead Of the unfortunate man being
completely smashed in In alarm was instantly
raised. and a search instituted, which resulted in
spots of blood being traced through the whole OF
the route they had taken, and to the very door Of
the house in which the murder was committed
Suspicion was at oree raised to the guilty par
ties, and the deceased woman aud her associates
were at once arrested and brought before the tri-
bnDal at Dorchester, but the evidence failed to
substantiate the charge. and they were acquitted
A few days ago the last Of the survivors of those
supposed to be partieipators In the dreadful deed
ded-Pricilia GuPpy. On her death bed her state
OF mind was truly frightful. she had attained q
great age, being upwards of 90. IL 10 stated thai
previous to her deeease. she confessed she was
participation in the murder, having beat hin, on
the head with hat piece Of iron or heater. such
as Is used Ia ironing linen. She imptored the Di-
vine Creator 10 have mercy on her soul aud for
give the sins she had committed. We nuder.tsnd
also that she stated that when she was arraigned
before the bar OF nstice on the trial she had the
gold watch and chain Of the murdered man con.
cealed In the hair Of her head and that after IN.
commission Of the crime Hardy went home Ia his
own house, and Immediately upon entering mt
bask the clocks two hours He retired to rest. aud
short time Afterwards awoke his servant md told
her TO go down stairs and see wha. was the time
when she returned and told her master very inno-
Gently the hour, not knowing that the clock had
been altered. This servant was brought forward
on the trial and thus her testimony 10 his being
at home at the time the crime supposed 10 Be
committed led 70 his aequittAI. The body Of the
murdered man waAinterred In the church yard OF
81. Mar s church, where now 70 this day may be
seen his tombstone with the following inscription:
srhis stone was erected BY public subscription in
remembrance Of the cruel murder committed on
the body Of Tillroyd Morgan who lies here on the
1th of April, l!ez. aged y.