Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1866-11-23 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

DREADFUL MURIMR BY A BOY AT SHEFFIELD.  A horrible and most singular crime was committed at Sheffield on Tuesday morning by a boy sixteen years of age, his victim being a fellow apprentice and bed-fellow, about eighteen years old. Mr Draper, a very respectable draper, of Barker-pool, has several apprentices, who live in his house adjoining the shop. Of these, Heart Gabbitas was the junior, and Arthur Allen was the next above him. They slept together in one of the garrets of the house,—another apprentice, named Stephen Moss, sleeping in the next room. On Monday night Gabbitas was unusually silent at supper, and complained of being unwell. But the family were undisturbed during the night, and had no idea of the tragedy that awaited them in the morning. About half-past seven, Gabbitas went to the bed-room door of Mr Draper and Raid, "I have killed Arthur." " What?' "I have killed Arthur—l have done it for revenge." "What can you mean? ' said Mr Draper. Gabbitas replied—" I have hammered him with the hammer, and stabbed him with a knife." Mr Draper hurried upstairs and fund Allen lying on his back on the bed, and weltering in bloid. He was totally insensible. Mr Pavell, of Norfoik-street, and Dr. Youngo, Norfolk-row, were sent for, and very quickly attended, but only to find that the case was hopeless. Allen's head is severely fractured, and he has lain sine, quite unconscious. The only sound he has uttered has been occasionally faintly to aiy " Oh !" and once or twice he has opened an eye. Gabbitas said lie conpnitte I the dreadful deed about 530, when the watchmen were about going off their beats, and that he a'terwarda went to the Policeoffice to give himself up; but, thinking that he should not be believed, he did not go in, but returned to Pargate, and told Mr Draper. He walked again to the Palice-office with a senior apprentice, Stephen Miss, talking freely and with apparent composure by the way. He said he struck Allen with the hammer several times, and then stabbed him. And he repeated other partieulars he had given to Mr Draper. At the Police-office he began to say that he gave himself up for killing Allen, but could not finish, and Moss completed the statement. Gabbitas was left in ciastody, and a p diceinan returned with M ins to Fargate. He found in the bed-rosin the ham ner and the knife. The hammer was one Mr Draper had used about live on : Monday afternoon in opening a box. Two hi iurs after, , when it was wan,ed again, it cauld not be found. It now ! appears that liabbitaa had secreted it for his murderous ! purpose. The knife was a nine inch carving knife, which ! had been used at supper on Monday night. It is believed that Gabbitas bad gone down-staiis and carried the carving knife up to his bed-room. The origin of this sail affair is a matter of conjecture. Gabbitas had the character of a go al boy, and there did not appear to be anything morose or dangerous in Ilia digposition. He and Allen weie good friends, and on Monday night appeared to be particularly so. Mr Draper's conjecture is that the anger of Gabbitas had been aroused by the fact, that he had been engaged with Allen in amine irregiilai idea, which had led to all order that they should not go out at night. Gabbitas is supposed to have blamed Allen for this, but the supposition doe.] not harmonise with the appearance of friendship that Gabbitas showed on Monday night. He must, however, have been capable of groat duplicity. fir he had then no doubt secreted the hammer with which he first attacked his victim. "The wounda are on time left side of the heal and neck, and there is no •loubt that the first blow was given while Allen was sleeping, aud given so effectually that in uttered no cry. Ganbitas has been remanded by the magistrates aw mitinz. the to i c .rtimin death of his victim. Gmbbitas is the sou of a painter at Hull. Allen is the son of a surgeon at Gainsbrough, lately deceased.