The Sun. — 1847-10-25 (London, England)

FRIGHTFUL MURDER OF FOUR  CHILDREN BY THEIR MOTHER.  One of the most dreadful murders which has ever taken place in this country was committed in Cheap side, Birmingham, on Saturday, under the following circumstances :—lt appears that about six months ago a widow, named Ann Wilkes, opened a small shop in Cheapside, for the sale of cigars and small wares. She was a person of very agreeable manners, about forty years of age, and had evidently, in the early part of her life, moved in a respectable sphere. When her husband died she was left with four chit' dren, three boys and a girl. On Saturday it wee remarked by the neighbours that the shutters were not taken down, as usual, in the morning. A Mr. Edwards, living close by, feeling uneasy at this circumstance, determined, about eleven o'clock, to ascertain the cause. Having procured a ladder, he placed it against the window of the first floor, which was unfits' tened, and entered the room. He found no person there, but being urged by the crowd outside to proceed further into the house, he did so, and advanced a fell steps up a narrow staircase, at the top of which be beheld a horrifying sight. Mrs. Wilkes was lying in a pool of blood, and at her side lay her eldest child, both of their throats cut from ear to ear. On looking further into the room he discovered by a glimmering light (for the room was darkened) the bodies of the three other children weltering in their blood. Terrified at the sight, he ran to the window, and cried out, "My God I they are all murdered I" A police constable, who was passing at the time, mounted the ladder, and got into the room to the assistance of Mr' Edwards. Both proceeded to the spot where Mrs. Wilkes lay, and discovered that she was breathing' They immediately turned their attention to her, raised her up, and with the assistance of Mr. Archer, surgeon, of Digbeth, bandaged the wound. After recovering a little she made many attempts to take off the bandage, but was prevented from doing so, and in a short time was removed in a cart to the Queen Hospital. Dr. Sands Cox, Dean of the Faculty, was immediately sent for, and within ten minutes' time we; in attendance upon the unfortunate woman, and bowl,: up the wound with all possible speed. It was found that the injuries which she had sustained were of 5 very serious character, and although none of the rill' cipal arteries had been cut, yet the windpipe Os divided in such a manner as to leave it exceedingli doubtful whether the unfortunate woman will re. cover. After she had been in the hospital a fel hours, she appeared to be quite conscious, and evi: dently in much agony. During the time the wound t was being dressed she seemed inclined to speak, bill all attempts to do so were unavailing. Unhappily was found that the life of the four children was t.„`r tally extinct. Their names are—John 1117 Wilkes, aged 12 ; Mary Jane Wilkes, aged 8 Yr". Liam Charles Wilkes, aged 6 ; and Frederick George Wilkes, aged 4. Information was immediately ,fo,r: warded to the police, and Mr Superintendent Dvf: yens proceeded to the spot, and placed constables I possession of the house, at the same time taking the precaution to place a padlock upon the door leading to the apartment in which the awful crime was rir: petrated. In the room where the murdered fen3lJ, were found two razors were discovered, apparent,4 new. No reason can be assigned at present fort tii, commission of the deed. At half-past seven o'olecl on Saturday night the unfortunate woman was eti/ alive. The inquest will be held to-day.