National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-04-28
4 STRANGE STORY,

4 STRANGE STORY.
FROM Chambers Edinburgh Journal
The facts of the following strange history
are derived from tract contained in the
collection formerly in the possession of
Robert Harley, Earl Of Oxford, but now in
the British Museum. The tract is entitled:
a True and Faithful Account of the Tx
animation, Confession, Trial and Execution
Of Joan Perry and her two Sons, John
and Richard, for the supposed Murder of
William Harrison, Gent; being one OF the
most Remarkable Occurrences that hath
happened within the Memory Of Man /:
sent in a Letter by Sir T. o. Thomas
Cyerbury. nephew Of his accomplished but
jl-fated namesake OF Burton, in the county
# Gloucester, Knight, and one OF Her
Majesty, Justices Of the Peace, to I. s.
Thomas Shirlesl, Doctor of Phvsic in
London; printed for Rowland Reynolds,
next Arundel Gate, over against St Glenn
ant, Church, IN the Strand. 1876"
Mr. William Harrison, in the year 1860,
was steward to the Lady Viscountess
Campden, at Campden, in Worcestershire.
He was then an old man, being about
seventy years Of age, On Thursday. the
18th OF August he set out from Campden,
where he resided to walk to Charringford,
a distance of about two miles. The pur-
pose Of his journey was to receive rents for
property belonging to Lady Campden.
That night, as he did not return at his
usual hour, his wife became uneasy and,
after waiting until nearly eight O'Clock
sent a nan-seryant named John Perry to
Charrinciord in search of him. But, al
though they remained up for them all that
night, nothing was seen oi either Mr..
Harrison or the man-Seryant.
Early the next morning, Edward, Mr..
larrison's son, went towards Charringtord
10 try to gain tidingS of his father. On his
way there he met Perry returning from
thence who informed him that he had
been to Charringford, but had been unable
to find his master. They then went on
together to Ebrin2ton, a village between
Charringford and Campden. There they
were told by one Daniel, that Mr.. llarrl-
son had called at his house the preceding
evening, on his way from Charringtord,
but did not stay there long with him.
They then proceeded half mile farther
on, TO PaXford but there they heard moth
inc more of William Harrison, and there
fore determined to return. On their way
back to Campden, they met a person who
told them that hat, band. and comb had
been picked up in the highway by poor
woman. As the woman was then cleaning
mthc ncghboring fields, they went to her,
TN the woman producing the articles she
rad discovered the son at once identified
them as having been worn by his father
when be left home to 20 to Charringford.
On further examination. it was found that
the hat and comb haa zen cut and hacked
about, and also that the articles were COW
cred with dtied blood At their request,
the woman at once took them to where she
had found the articles. 1t was on the
highway, near great furze-brake, between
torngton and Campden. A careful search
was then made Of the spot, for the body OF
tne missing man--it being concluded that
be had been murdered for the sake Of any
money he might have had with him; but
after most dihgent search nothing more
was found.
hen the news reached Campden. the
place was so alarmed that men, women,
ana children in multitudes fastened to
search the surrounding neighborhood for
vi. iiarrlson's dead body. But the search
was made in vain His wife's fears for her
husbands safety, which were very great
before, We're now much increased; and n
she had sent the servant, John Perry the
evening before to meet his master, and he
mad not returned all that night, she sus-
Ie'tcd that he had robbed and then muir
dered him.
IN consequence of these suspicious, on
Sle following day Perry was examined
.eiofe justice OF the peace concerning the
ya1Se Of his staying out all night on the
''ehlng he went to meet his master. The
account he gave of his behavior was, that
"Aeh his mistress sent him in the evening,
lg rg went down Campden Field towards
lafrlngtord. On his way there, he met
man living at Campden, named William
heed, and spoke to him, and told him his
uIaid He also told him that, as it was
se''ng late, he was afraid TO go farther,
lni would therefore 60 back and return
with him
II "e then accompanied him back To Mr..
iiiss't'Sons court-gate, where William Reed
.elt nm, and that he remained for some
rI.e standing outside the gate. While he
va waiting there, man named Pcarce
ra,>Vl by. As he knew this person, he
s.5 reii, with him little way along the fields,
a..' 'hen returned with him TO Lis masters
sale' where they parted. As he was
,-e,ned TO 60 into the house. and tell the
i,all,s the cause of his return, he went
h. ' we hen-roost, and lay down Here
ne iigIlnalned for about an hour, but was
~ 70 sleep. While staying there, he
5aiu The clock strike twelve. He then
piilhlncd n to go in search of his master
Iigfl, when a great mist arising he missed
way, and therefore Law down for the
= Of the night under a hedge. When
f-a Uay broke, he proceeded to Charriny.
70 tne house ofEdwsrd Plasterer. and
a. i'reu Tor his master Plasterer told
'hh hls master had called on him on