The Sun. — 1846-09-12 (London, England)

TEE  FATAL POACHING AFFRAY.  NEWTON ABBOT, TUESDAY.—An examination took place yesterday, before Mr. H. Cartwright and Mr. R. Flamank, magistrates of this district, relative to an affray which took place on Saturday night, between a party of poachers and the gamekeepers of Sir 'Walter P. Carew, Bart., of Haccombe-house, in which a young farmer, William Setter, who was assisting the keepers, was shot by one of the poachers. It appeared from the evidence of the witnesses, that the principal keeper, Festus Harris, accompanied by the gardener, when passing by one of the preserves, on Saturday, heard the re• port of fire-arms in such rapid succession as led him to conclude that a formidable gang of poachers were out. Fearing to encounter them alone, the keeper called to their assistance Mr. Robert Rendell, a neighbonring farmer, William Setter (the deceased), and four other persons. Guided by the reports, the keeper and his party proceeded to a spot called Blendfield, where they came up with the poachers, whose number, owing to the darkness of the night, they could not ascertain. The keeper's party having so disposed themselves as to prevent _escape, it was arranged that two should enter the field, and that the word "gate" should be the signal to those outside. Mr Rendelland the deceased had no sooner got into the field than they saw one of the gang making towards them with a gun in his hand. The signal was given, and whilst the keeper and the others were approaching, the poacher (who was now recognised as a man named Henry Warren) was commanded by Mr. Rendell to surrender. To this he paid no attention, but raising the gun (a double barrel) to his shoulder, he moved forward a few paces, when Mr. Rendell said, "We know you ; you had better not fire." Warren, perceiving he had no chance of escape, his party being some distance off, discharged one barrel at Setter and the other at Mr. Rendell. The unfortunate man fell, and Mr. Rendell, who had felt the charge pass close to his head, rushed in upon Warren, who made a violent resistance, but was eventually secured, his companions having escaped. The wounded man, who had received the whole of the charge in his abdomen, was carried to the house of Mr. Elias Rendell, of Buckland, where he received such assistance as could at that late hour be procured. On the following morning the best surgical aid was obtained, but, there appearing no chance of his recovery, Mr. Cartwright, who was informed of the circumstances, attended and took his depositions, which were reduced to writing-. Setter, after he had signed the depositions, never rallied, and expired on Sunday afternoon. The prisoner was brought before the magistrate on Monday for examination. In addition to the facts above described, the surgeon who made the pact mort,m examination of the body stated that the wound was about two inches in length, from which the bowels pro truded. A number of small-sized shot were found, in the entrails, and the liver was extensively lacerated. One of the links of a watch chain worn by the deceased was found in the stomach. Mr. Rendell stated, that after the prisoner was secured, he said he was very sorry for what he had done, and that he only wished that the gun had broken in pieces when he first took it into his hand. The prisoner, who made no defence, was fully committed for trial at the next assizes, on the charge of the "Wjlrul Murder" of William Setter, and another for shooting at Robert Rendell, with intent to kill, &a. One of his associates has been apprehended and committed on a charge of poaching. This terrible affray has caused great consternation in the neighbourhood, where game is strictly preserved, but where there is a vast deal of poaching, the practice being rather favoured than resisted by the generality of the farmers, many whom regard the game as an intolerable grievance.