The Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser. — 1866-04-21 (Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England)

MYSTERIOUS MURDER IN LONDON. The inquest on the body of Mrs. Millson, was opened on Saturday in the vestry room of the church of St. Antholin, Watling-street, London. No inquiry that has taken place since the murder by the Mannings has created a greater amount of excitement than the present. The jury first viewed the body. There were several wounds upon and near the head. The jury also viewed the premises of Messrs. Bevington, where the murder was committed. Elizabeth Lewis, cook to Messrs Bevington, Cannon-street West, leather sellers, said that the deceased was their house-keeper, and she had known her there for eleven years. Deceased had been a widow for ten years, and witness never saw anyone paying his addresses to her. Persons frequently called after the house of business was closed, and deceased invariably preferred going to open the door. Three years ago she let in a dark short man to see her, but had not seen him since. Deceased said he was acquainted with her. On Wednesday night the deceased was in the drawing-room at eight o'clock, and also at half-past eight. The place of business was closed at seven o'clock, and the duty of the deceased was, after Mr. Gipps left, to go down and fasten the doors. She said at twenty minutes after eight o'clock they were all gone, and witness went to dress herself, leaving the deceased in the diningroom. Just before she went to her bedroom the bell rang, and she said, "It is for me," and she went down stairs. The dining-room is on the second floor. There are no glass doors at the bottom of the stairs, but there are some in the lobby just inside the street door. The lobby was square, and . there was a countinghouse between the lobby and the street door. There was a very large space between the swing doors and the foot of the stairs. There were some bales of goods there, and some things on a shelf in the same place. At a quarter past ten she (witness) took a candle and went downstairs, when she saw her lying in the large space between the lobby and the front door. She laid hold of her hand and I spoke to her, but she did not answer. The door was closed and fastened by three latches, but the chain which usually kept the door was down. Witness opened the door and saw a young woman standing there for .shelter. She asked her to come in, and she said, "What is the matter 1" and witness said that the deceased had fell down in a fit, and she replied "Oh, dear, no; I can't come in," and she ran away. She then saw a policeman, and called him in. He told her to wait whilst she went to the station, and he returned bringing with him a doctor, and the deceased's face was washed. At this point the witness went off into hysterics. Having recovered, she said she knew nothing as to the affair. She aid not know that she had saved any money. The The light over the street door was'turned out. The passage was in total darkness when she went down. The two burners in the passage were generally left burning until they were going to bed. Evidence was given of the appearance of the body when found. Deceased was lying on the floor, and there were seven wounds upon the head and face. There was a very deep wound on the left side of the head, a wound on the forehead, one over the eye, and five stabs on the face. A crowbar was found near the spot, with which the wound might likely have been inflicted, or with a " clawing " instrument like one produced. It appears that the deceased was married in 1853 to a person described as a commercial clerk, who was in Messrs Bevington's employ up to his death. The marriage certificate and some other papers have been found in deceased's boxes, bgt the police said they would rather not produce them yet. The inquest was adjourned until next Monday. On Tuesday a man named Denton has been arrested on suspicion, and there is evidence that he was in the habit of visiting the murdered woman at night and obtaining money from her for another person. This man and the person for whom he acted appear to have practised extortions upon the poor woman for years.. Why the murder was committed, however, is not yet clear, though it is supposed that those who were concerned in it intended also to rob Messrs. Bevington's warehouse.