The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1843-11-14 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

DREADFUL AFFRAY.—The Patent Saw Mills, in this town, held under the firm of John Wilson and Co., have been the scene of a third tragedy, and the most melancholy in its results—the first was the assault on Mr. Wilson, by throwing vitriol into his face, for which offence four journeymen sawyers were transported for life—the second the stabbing of a recruit by Mr. Wilson, and the last, the murder of the present proprietor, Dr. Michael Quarry. For some time past, Dr. Quarry and his late Partner, Mr. John Wilson, have been at variance, which has led to assaults and law proceedings, Dr. Quarry keeping possession of the Saw Mill concerns, and the timber store below, and Mr. Wilson of a suit of rooms over the front of the Saw Mills. For some time past Mr. Roger B. Evans, auctioneer, has had an execution on the establishment for a debt due by Mr. Wilson, and three of the men in the employment of Dr. Quarry were special bailiffs in the attachment. Affrays have taken place between the men of Dr. Quarry and those of Mr. Wilson, who were keeping possession of the upper rooms, and the magistrates have been frequently engaged in hearing charges of assault, threats, and rescues for the last month. On Saturday, about two o'clock, Mr. Wilson left town on the Charleville coach, leaving two fellows named Carroll in charge of the rooms which he held, and after seven, Mr. George Foster Delany joined them. Shortly after eight o'clock Dr. Quarry and some men attempted to go up stairs to see if all was right, when the former was met near the top by Thomas Carroll, who opposed his going up, and a scuffle ensued, when Carroll called out to his brother Denis to bring a blunderbuss, which being done, he presented it at Dr. Quarry, but it missed fire ; he then caught it by th'e butt end, and struck the Doctor on the head and shoulders, by which he was knocked down the flight of stairs. Then Donoghue, one of the assistants of the Doctor, came up, but got a tremendous blow from a sharp instrument, which knocked him down, and rendered him for a time insensible; when he recovered he saw Carroll striking Dr. Quarry on the head with a " saw buckle." The rest of the party seeing the Doctor so brutally used made an attempt to go up, when Carroll fired down on them, but hit no one. Smith, the apprentice, went down to the office and brought up a large pistol, which he discharged at Carroll without effect, when the fire from the top was quickly returned, but fortunately without effect. Crowds of persons were now collected outside the mill, attracted by the report of shots, and Dr. Quarry being brought down to the store, a messenger went to the Kingstreet station for the police, when constable Daniel Cudmore went to the residence of Captain White, J. P., who immediately came to the mills with a party of the police force. Captain 'White, Cudmore, and O'Connell, then went up stairs, when they saw Thomas Carroll with a blunderbuss presented and loaded, and Dennis Carroll a sword in his hand, and Mr. Delany, all three of whom they arrested. Dr. Harris, who lives opposite, being sent for, came over, and at this time Dr. Quarry was quite sensible, remarking to Dr. Harris, that he feared he was very much injured, that his right arm was broken, and that his head was very painful ; be then desired himself to be placed on a bed, which being shortly done, he became quite insensible, in which state he remained that night, and all Sunday, when he espied at seven o'clock. He has left a widow and five young children. An inquest was held on the following day, when the following verdict was returned, " We find that Dr. Michael Quarry came by his death on Saturday, the 4th November, 1813, in consequence of wounds inflicted by Thomas and Denis Carroll, George Forster Delaney being present, aiding and assisting thereat." These three persons were then handcuffed and sent to gaol, and Mr. John Wilson has also been arrested as an accessary before the fact, and sent to 13ridewell.—Cork. Paper.