Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-06-12
THE UxBRIDGE TRAGEDY.
The Murder Of Family Of Seven Persons.

From the London Daily News, May 24l
One of the most extraordinary
tragedies which has taken place for
many years was discovered last even
ing at the village of Denham, about
two miles from UXbTidge. 1t seems
that a family named Marshall resided
at a cottage in that village, the hus-
band carrying on business as an en-
gineer. Besides Marshall, there lived
in the cottage his wife and three
children, whose ages ran between
three and nine years, and also the
mother and sister OF Marshall. This
day Tuesday, had been fixed for the
marriage of the sister, and it is to the
fact Of her wedding dress being
brought home that the discovery of
the murder is to be attributed.
Nothing had been seen Of the muir
dered persons since Saturday; but
upon a young girl going to the
cottage Yesterday with the gar
ment referred to, and gaining no
reply, the neighbOrs had their
suspicious aroused, and an entry was
soon effected into the house. A scene
of the most horrible description then
presented itself On the grOund-tiOOr
the bodies of Mrs. Marshall and her
sister-in-law were found quite dead
the former lying on her back, and the
latter, who had her night-dress on,
and was evidently preparing for bed,
was placed across her. Both had their
heads fearfully mutilated, and the alb
sence of blood about the place was
remarked by those who witnessed the
dreadful discovery. At the right hand,
on entering the cottage, and near the
fireplace, three children belonging to
Marshall were also found with their
heads frightfully battered, and als.
quite dead. The mother of Mar
shall was likewise found, having
been brutally murdered in the same
way; and on entering the shop where
Marshall had been at work, wearing
a smOcK-frock, his body was found. Il
was covered with sacks, and it was
apparent that he had had a desperate
struggle. His hands were scratched
in several places, ,and there were marks
as if he had been dragged about the
ground. His head had also been
beaten in the same manner as those of
the other victims. There was another
child belonging to MaTshall-a little
boy aged sixteen mOnths-who had
been sent to his grandmother to "be
out of the way" during the
wedding Of MarshalPs sister; and
but for that circumstance there is
very small doubt that the little crea-
ture would have been added to the
list of the murdered members Of the
family. The medical gentlemen called
in were Drs. Ferris and Mcnamara.
and it is their opinion that the awful
deed has been perpetrated as long
since as Saturday night or Sunday
morning. The county cOnstabulary
have been unable up to the present
time to obtain any clue as to the mur-
derer or the cause for the dreadful
crime. A forge hammer and an Ordi-
nary aX-with which the murders
are supposed to have been committed, !
have been discovered with traces of
blood upon them. Whatever the mo-
tive by which the murderer or muir
derers-fOr it seems difficult to imag-
Inc the fearful work can have been |
done by one persOn-rObbery does not /
seem to have been the object; for |
nothing appears TO have been dis /
turbed; the rings and several articles |
OF jeweiry worn by the unfortunate |
persons not having been removed.
The excitement in the village is in /
tense. Marshall and his wife and |
sister were, it is said, much respected |
by their neighbOrs.