The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-14
''UNWRITTENL LAW" UPHELD BY AN
 ENGLISH COURT
Soldier Who Confessed to Having Killed His Wife
 Released on Bond of $25.

London, March 14-'Never before in the annals of criminal court has a more pathetic or a more tragic story of brief domestic life been unfolded," said MT. Justice Atkfn in the historic Old Bailey Court.
 Before the justice was arraigned Henry Stephen Canham, a soldier, 22 years old.
 The outcome of the case was the more extraordinary because the im- mutable law of Great Britain has nev- CT recognized that rather emotional doctrine which is known in America as the "unwritten law''-and which often absolves of crime those accused of murder in (rance-women particu- larly.
 Canham was indicted for the mur- der of his wife. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and his plea was ac- cepted.
 Justice Atkin bound Canham over in $25 bail "to come up for judgment if called upon"
 Criminal lawyers say that Canham will remain as free as air unless he commits a crime. He seems to be emotional, but far from criminal; he is broken in spirit now.
 Sir Archibald Botkin, the prosecH- tor, told the court that Canham, while serving in France, received a letter from a Mrs. Davis, saying:
 Your wife is not gorng on as she ought to. She stops out all night and has sold up most of your things. She has left the baby by itself, and the poor little thing cries all day.
 q have seen her out with men God is above the Devil always. You have gnod mother and she has shed many tear about you"
 Canham wrote in reply that he had enough to think of, with shells burst ing all around him, without being told that his, wife was going to the bad While he was on Christmas leave he met his wife one night and took her to his home in Great College Ct., Camden Town. A pistol shot was heard early next morning, and Mrs Canham was found dead in bed.
 During the night Canham testi- fled, "my wife told me an army off cer had betrayed her confidence. l got my revolver and shot her. should .
 About two hours before I was tc go over the top for the first time heard that my wife had deserted the little boy When I came back after taking our objective an officer told me that my wife's conduct had reach ed the ears of the police,
 ''When I saw her when on leave said would forgive her if she looked after the dear baby. After her comics sion my mind went back to the battle fields of France. My revolver was or the bed tempting me, and the woman I loved was resting on my arm.
 "I said: Gladys, I have alway' loved you There was a moan. Tn shot had been fired. My wife wa dead and I went to my mother anC said, Mother, I have done it."
 Lieut.. I. Caffley, who has won tht Military Cross, testified:
 'Canham is all that British sol 1ier can be. When I was wounded ht was as good as brother to me"
 MT. Justice Atkin, in imposing sen tence, said:
 ''It is obvious that while you wer' away doing your duty to your coun try she neglected your child and you home, was grossly unfaithful to vol and wrote you insulting letters, anC yet, with all that, !pu were willing to take her back and disposed to for give her.
 Tt does not surprise me that, il the bitterness of your disappointment at the departed hopes of a happ. life, in the impulse of a moment, vol took this woman's life.
 While these are mitigating circum stances they do not justify the talk ing of life. So I must impose upol you a sentence that a reasoned am instructed public opinion will believ to be fitting to the case"
 Very soon Canham walked out o court under $25 bail, which severa persons offered to put up.