Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1871-08-26 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SHOCKING MURDER AT KILDALE-INCLEV ELAND. A FARMER KILLED BY A MADMAN.  A shock tug murder was committed on Wellies" day last at Kildale, about six miles from Stokesley, ' by a man named Samuel Edmunds, a navvie, and a native ot Enville, in Staffordshire. The vict'in was Mr Francis Wilkinson, aged 40 years, who was residing at New Row, Kildule. It appears that on the morning of the murder the prisoner, who was a stranger in the district, went to Mr Matthew Ackroyd's farm at West House, Kildale, in search of employment, and was t isgaged by Mr Aekroyd to work on the farm. After he was done work in the evening he washed himself, and took his supper. He then sat talking in the kitchen until near nine o'clock, when Mr Ackroyd weat atilt him to a barn, a short distance from the house, for ISUOIC straw to make a bed for him, there being no accommodation for hint in the house. Sonic straw was taken to a granary above the stable near the house, and prisoner made his bed, and replied it would do very well. Mr Aekroyd bade him good night, and lett I about half-past nine ; Edmunds was then undressing, and appeared to be. all right. About half an hour after Mr Ackroyd went to his garden, anout fifty yards from the house, to look at some bee-hives, when he heard some one shouting. Ile went into the house aud fastened the door; and told his wife that the man in the granary was shouting and appeared to be in the horrors ; ie called up his servant, John Wilkinson, and in a few minutes Elimunds came to the front door quite naked, and said he would be in and kill the master. He had a heavy breaking bridle in his hand, and commenced smashing the windows and door. John Wilkinsou went out of the back door, and proceeded to the New Row, about a mile distant, for assistance ; he called upon the deveaseil and a man named Witliamson. Another mall, namedJno. Milburn, hearing the noise, got up and dressed himself. The deceased and Milburn being the first ready, set off, in the direction of West House, along the railway. When • they got to a bridge near to the above farm, they heard Edmunds noon the bridge shouting. They went up the embankment, and the prisoner. was standing with a large oak stick about five feet long and three inches thick in his hand. He said he would kill the first man that came near him, and said, "Will you take a man upon the highway ?" Milburn said to the deceased that they had better not go to him themselves, when the deceased " replied that something must be done, and at the same time attempted to get over the rails on to the road, The prisoner made a run t...t him, and struck him a violemt blow across the head with the stick ; the deceased fell backwards insensible. Edmunds said to Milburn, "I will not kill you." He then went to the deceased and looked at him, and then ran towards Mr Ackroyd's farm, saying he woad come back direct:y. At that time Williamson and John Wilkinson came up to the bridge, and Williamson, seeing what had happened, went off for more assistance. Edmunds was eventually secured, after a very severe struggle, at Kildale Village, about two miles from the scene of the murder, and brought in a cart to the lock-up at Stokesley, where he had to be strapped down. The deceased was remaved to a cottage close by shortly after being injured, and Dr Alexander was sent for and dressed the wounds. The deceased remained " insensible up to the time of his death at about four o'clock the next day. The prisoner has worked at the ironstone minea for the last four months, at Guisbro', and had been drinking for about a week previous to going to Mr Ackroyd's ; he is a discharged soldier, and is branded with the letters D and B C.