The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1883-03-09 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

MYSTERIOUS MURDER.  A. shocking murder was committed at Sardis, in 'France, last week. Madame Fremy, the wife of an assistant-judge, went for a walk in the afternoon with her son, who returned home saying that his mother would follow shortly afterwards, as she had to made a call on the way. As the lady had not returned at five o'clock, M. Fremy instructed his son to go back to the spot where he left his mother In the wood, while he himself walke I in the same direction by another route. M. Fremy, jun., reached the place first, and found his mother lying on the ground in a pool of blood and quite dead. The throat had been cut from ear to ear. Madame Fremy's earrings, which were of some value, and a ring on her finger were left untouched, but her purse could not be found. An inquiry was opened by the Procureur in the evening, resulting in the arrest of M. Fremy, jun. a Parisian lawyer, who was conducted to gaol by his own father. So far, the whole affair is enveloped in mystery. A correspondent at Matlock - bridge telegraphs further particulars of the tragedy. The deceased with his son, who is 29 years of age, and said to be a clerk In London, took apartments a week ago at Mrs. Marchant's cottage, Chesterfield-road, Matlock-bridge. At about seven o'clock on Sunday morning the landlady heard a noise which she thought was made by her aged mother getting out of bed. As the gentlemen did not make their appearance at the usual time, Mrs. Merchant went up and knocked at the bedroom door. In reply she heard a suppressed groan, which she I thought was made by the rev, gentleman whilst under the iufluence of a narcotic which he occasionally took. When her husband came from chapel he went up and knocked three times at the door. After the third knock the door was np2ried by the son of the murdered man. He did not speak, but was covered with blood, and pointed to his f ether, who lay in bed with his skull battered in. Medical aid and the p Aloe were Bent for, and the son's wound having been stitched, he was conveyed through a large crowd to Derby Infirmary, where he now lb 8. He is said to have been for some time in a lunatic asylum, but was lately released. When charged with murdering his fathrr, the p.isoner said, "Yes, I did it w.th the chamber utensil. The inquest was oi.ened on Montay, before DeputyCoroter Brookee, when formal evidence of ident:ficatioa was given, and the inquiry Was adjourned until the next day. The deceased c'ergyman was about 57 years of age. and WAS a Congregational minister, residing at 119. Stepney-green, London. Both he and his son are said to have been members of the Blue Ribbon Army, arid the deceased always wore the badge in his buttrn-hofe. The object, of their visit to Matlock was fur the benefit of the son's health, as ha had been iu a low state for some time. Judging from the appearance of the body as it lay in bed, the fatal blow had been dealt whilst the father was asleep. Great cx&ternent has been caused in the neighbourhood by the tragic affair. The adjourned inquiry as to the death of the Rev. Julies Bum, of London, was hell on Tuesday morning, at Matlock-bridge. The medical evidence went to'ehew that after repeated blows with a blunt instrument several stets had been inflicted under the right ear with a pooket•knife. Before the jury retired, John  William Bon. eldest son of the deceased, made a statement to the effect that the prismer was merely out for the benefit of his health on a probationary term from Bethnal-green Lunatic Asylum. Mr. Berm urged that this statement might induce a rider tube added to the verdict ; but the coroner ruled that this would be out of order. The jury shortly aft. rwards brought in a verdict of wilful murder.