The Sun. — 1858-01-05 (London, England)

THE MURDER NEAR CARLISLE.  The adjourned inquest on the body of Robert Irwin, the old man found lying dead on the road near Fenton, with his skull fractured and a deep wound behind one of his ears, was held in the Wesleyan Chapel, Fenton, on Saturday, before Mr. Carrick, coroner. Mary Ann Skelton, wife of Jacob Skelton, and daughter of the deceased, stated that her father had resided with them since last Whitsuntide. Her father had made an appointment on Christmaseve to go to a prayer-meeting at six o'clock the following morning. He got up accordingly, and her husband accompanied him to the door, closed it after him, and then came back to bed. Her husband had once struck her father, and had given him a black eye. She did not know that her father was about to leave them, though there was a rumour to that effect among the neighbours. Her father bad about 1601. lent out at interest.  Jacob Skelton was examined by his own consent, He said he did not go to the door until after the deceased had gone out, when he got up from the fire and bolted the door. He did not go out but went straight to bed after bolting the door. The old man carried with him a stick and a lantern. He wore a low-crowned hat, and witness had heard him say that there were holes in it. When the old man was brought home he was quite insensible, and a doctor was sent for.  John Bell stated that he discovered the body, about eight o'clock in the morning, 50 or GO yards from Skelton's gate. The head was not on the hard metal of the road. When the old man was removed home, he thought Skeltou's wife said, " This is Christmas meetiugs." He afterwards went back to the spot where the body was found, and SAW a stone. It was lying on the top of the mud, but was not buried in it.  The report of the medical gentlemen upon the post mortem examination was here put in. It stated that the wounds could not possibly have been caused by a fall, and that one fracture had been caused Wore the old man fell, and the other probably when he was on the ground. Mr. Donald, superintendent of police, produced a hammer found in Shelton's house. Dr. Johnstone said such an instrument at this would be very likely to produce the wounds. The upper wound might have been produced by the face of the hammer, and the other with the sharp or pin end.  Elanor Dodd deposed that Mrs. Skelton had told her after the old man's death, that her husband had set him through the gate. This statement was denied by Mrs. Skelton, but reiterated by the witness, who stated that another witness was ready to come forward and prove it. William Parkin said there was only a grass plot, 15 or 20 yards wide, between his home and the spot where deceased had been found, but he had hoard no noise. The old man had often complained to him of ill-usage by Shelton, his son-in-law. George Johnstone, one of Irvein, i s executors, produced his will, bequeathing the interest of his estate to Mrs. Skelton, and afterwards to her children. Ann Burrow deposed that she was standing with Mrs. Skelton at the garden gate on the day of her ke father'sito n dsaeiad, th. In the will course of becomeeo of m conversation and my tionMrs. Skelton bairns, for my man will never stop in this country." Witness used to wash at Skelton's once a sgovery bsaid tddhieidnre Skeltonnot agree dhe wished the well. The fortnight. aTswhceaoysl oldla last t timem sheanw heard him use such expressions l (mouth).often. SheTh e had deceased had requested her to take him as a lodger, as ho dared not stop any longer with Skelton. Some other evidence was then gone into, tending to show that it was impossible that the deceased could have met his death by accident. After some conversation between the coroner and other officials, it was agreed that Skelton and his wife should be apprehended, and the inquiry further adjourned till Friday next. Skelton is the man who accused two respectable farmers of having robbed him. The men were committed on bail to the sessions, although it was proved that Skelton had previously been convicted of theft. The suspicion is that Skelton followed the old man Irwin out of the door, and, after having inflicted the fatal blows, returned to his bed.  DR.